Background Checks for CDL Drivers: What to Run and How to Choose a Provider

Updated October 2026

Key takeaways

• Some checks are required by FMCSA for every new CDL driver: the motor vehicle record from each state, the Clearinghouse pre-employment query, previous employer safety performance history and a pre-employment drug test.
• The PSP report is optional under federal rules, but many carriers and insurers use it.
• Criminal background checks are optional under FMCSA rules but common. They must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state and local laws.
• Choose a screening provider based on turnaround time, coverage, integration with your applicant tracking system and compliance support, not price alone.

Checks FMCSA requires

Motor vehicle record (MVR). Under 49 CFR 391.23(a)(1), you must get the driver’s record from every state where the driver held a license in the last three years, within 30 days of the date employment begins.

Previous employer safety performance history. Under 49 CFR 391.23(a)(2), you must investigate the driver’s safety performance with DOT-regulated employers over the last three years.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse pre-employment query. You must run a full query, with the driver’s electronic consent, before the driver performs safety-sensitive functions (49 CFR 382.701). Since January 6, 2023, the Clearinghouse query replaces the manual drug and alcohol inquiry to previous FMCSA-regulated employers. You must still ask previous employers regulated by other DOT agencies, such as FTA or FAA.

Pre-employment drug test. A negative result is required before the driver performs safety-sensitive functions (49 CFR 382.301).

Medical certification. For CDL drivers, the CDLIS MVR shows medical certification status. For non-CDL drivers, keep the medical certificate and a note confirming the medical examiner is on FMCSA’s National Registry.

Road test or equivalent. Under 49 CFR 391.31 and 391.33, either give a road test or accept a valid CDL as an equivalent.

These records go into the driver qualification file.

Common optional checks

PSP report. The FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program report shows five years of crash data and three years of roadside inspection data from FMCSA’s system. It requires the driver’s written authorization.

Criminal background check. Many carriers check county, state and federal criminal records, especially for jobs involving customer sites, high-value freight or hazmat. Federal rules separately disqualify CDL drivers for certain offenses (49 CFR 383.51 and 391.15).

Employment and education verification beyond the three years required by FMCSA.

Continuous MVR monitoring, which alerts you to new violations during employment instead of waiting for the annual review.

Fair Credit Reporting Act rules

When a third-party screening company provides background reports, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies. In general, you must:

1. Give the applicant a clear written disclosure, in a separate document, that you will get a background report.
2. Get the applicant’s written authorization.
3. Before taking adverse action based on the report, send a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and a summary of rights.
4. After a waiting period, send the final adverse action notice.

Many states and cities have additional rules, including limits on when you can ask about criminal history. Have an employment lawyer review your process.

How to choose a screening provider

Many companies offer background screening for transportation employers, including HireRight, First Advantage, Foley and Checkr. Compare them on:

• Turnaround time. Slow reports delay hiring and can cost you the driver.
• Coverage. Check county court coverage in the states where you hire.
• DOT services. Some providers also handle drug testing, MVRs, PSP reports and employment verification.
• Integration. Reports should flow into your applicant tracking system and driver qualification files without manual copying.
• Compliance support. Look for built-in FCRA disclosures and adverse action workflows.
• Pricing. Ask for package pricing for your volume. Prices vary by search type and location.

How DriverFly helps

DriverFly’s applicant tracking system collects the driver application on a phone, in English or Spanish, and automates employment verification. Compliance management keeps the resulting documents organized and sends notifications when items need attention.

Frequently asked questions

What background checks are required for CDL drivers?

FMCSA requires an MVR from every state the driver was licensed in during the last three years, a three-year safety performance history from previous DOT-regulated employers, a Clearinghouse pre-employment query and a negative pre-employment drug test.

Is a PSP report required?

No. The PSP report is optional under federal rules, but many carriers and insurance companies use it as part of hiring.

Can I run a criminal background check on a truck driver applicant?

Yes, if you follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the state and local laws where you hire. Some locations limit when you can ask about criminal history.

Sources: 49 CFR 382.301, 382.701, 383.51, 391.15, 391.23, 391.31, 391.33, 391.51; FMCSA PSP program; Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681b).