Before a carrier hires you, it looks at three reports. Knowing what is in them before you apply saves you from surprises.
MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)
Your state driving record: tickets, accidents, suspensions and CDL status. Most carriers look at the last 3 to 5 years. Some offenses, like a DUI, can matter much longer.
PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program)
FMCSA's report of your roadside inspections for the last 3 years and crashes for the last 5 years. Even clean inspections show up, and that helps you. You can order your own PSP report online for a small fee.
DAC (employment history)
A consumer report with your trucking employment history, often including reasons for leaving, drug and alcohol results reported by employers, and accident information. Because it is a consumer report, you have the right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to get a copy and to dispute errors.
What to do before you apply
- Order your own reports and read them line by line.
- Dispute mistakes in writing and keep copies.
- Write down your job history for the last 3 years with exact dates and reasons for leaving. It must match what the reports say.
- Tell your recruiter the truth. We match your record to each carrier's rules, but only if we know what is on it.
A good match starts with an honest record check. A surprise at orientation ends in a bus ticket home.
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