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    49 CFR § 391.23(a)(1)

    Initial Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)

    Guidelines for pulling and reviewing mandatory state driver records.

    Compliance Requirements

    Timing

    The inquiry to state agencies must be made at the time of application.

    Documentation

    A copy of each MVR received must be placed in the Driver Qualification File (DQF) within 30 days of the date the driver's employment begins.

    'Good Faith' Effort

    If a state fails to provide a requested MVR, you must document your repeated attempts to obtain it and certify that no such record exists for that driver.

    Retention

    Initial MVRs must be retained for the duration of the driver's employment plus an additional three years after it ends.

    Annual Requirement

    Following this initial 3-year lookback, carriers must then pull a new MVR every 12 months from the state where the driver currently holds a license to perform an annual review.

    What the MVR Must Verify

    When reviewing these records, the carrier must confirm:

    • The driver is not disqualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) per 49 CFR § 391.15.
    • The driver has not had their license suspended, cancelled, or revoked.
    • The driver meets the carrier's internal safety standards regarding traffic violations and accidents.