Driving record for employment
If the job involves driving, the employer will look at your record. Seeing it first costs a few dollars.
Updated 13 November 2026
What employers do
Employers who put people behind the wheel, from delivery firms to sales teams with company cars, check driving records before hiring and often once a year after that. They need your written permission, and they usually order the record themselves through a screening company.
Why get your own copy first
- You see exactly what they will see.
- You can ask the state to fix a mistake before it costs you the job.
- Some employers ask you to bring a recent copy to the interview.
Which record to order
Ask the employer two things: how many years the record must cover, and how recent it must be. Three years is common, and many want one issued in the last 30 days. If they have not said it must be certified, an uncertified copy is normally fine.
Commercial drivers
The rules are stricter if you hold a commercial license. See driving records for CDL holders.
See your own record
Your record shows exactly what is on file for you. Pick the state that issued your license.
Related
- MVR report
An MVR, or motor vehicle report, is your driving record. What an MVR report shows, who checks it, and how to order your own online from any state.
- What is a clean driving record?
There is no official definition. What employers and insurers usually mean, and how to see whether yours qualifies.
- How far back does a driving record go?
It depends on the type of record you order. States issue short records, long records and complete histories, and each shows a different period.
- Check your driving record
How to check your driving record: what you will see, when it is worth checking, and how to order a copy of your own record from any state.