The transportation industry requires safe drivers. Keeping safe drivers in, and removing dangerous or reckless drivers, reduces the number of accidents. Fewer accidents keep the community safe, protect the industry’s reputation, and help business clients know that their cargo will arrive safely.

Your company must verify an applicant’s safe driving record, licensure, and qualifications before putting them on the road. CDL background checks give you access to a driver’s record and credentials to protect your company, your clients, the driver, other motorists, and pedestrians.

Below, we look at CDL background check requirements and what you need to know when conducting one.

Table of Contents

1. What Are CDL Background Checks?
2. Why Is It Important to Conduct Comprehensive CDL Background Checks?
3. CDL Check Requirements
4. Are CDL Background Check Requirements Always the Same?
5. How Background Check Services Streamline Your Process

What Are CDL Background Checks?

A CDL background check reviews a commercial driver's qualifications, driving history, and compliance with federal safety standards. It’s a comprehensive screening process for CDL holders seeking employment as drivers in the trucking industry.

A check includes driving records, employment history, drug and alcohol test results, and criminal background information. You can also verify the driver's CDL status and any endorsements. CDL background checks take a few days to several weeks to complete.

The primary purpose of the check is to help ensure public safety. A CDL background check gives employers a better idea of who they’re hiring.

Why Is It Important To Conduct Comprehensive CDL Background Checks?

CDL background checks help you verify driver qualifications and comply with federal regulations. You can identify potential safety risks.

Know Whom You Are Hiring

CDL background checks give you valuable insights into a driver's professional history and qualifications. You can look at details about their driving record, including traffic violations, accidents, and license suspensions.

Checks also reveal employment history. You can verify past positions and reasons for leaving previous jobs. As a result, you get a full picture of the driver’s history to see whether they’re a good fit for your company.

Example: A background check reveals that a candidate has multiple speeding violations and a recent DUI, disqualifying them from consideration.

Build Trust & Accountability With Your Employees

By performing truck driver background checks, you create a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations for clean driving records. Regular checks encourage drivers to maintain high standards and report issues as soon as they happen.

When you communicate your standards and enforce them consistently, everyone knows what to expect and what it takes to keep their job.

Example: A driver reports a minor traffic violation before it shows up on a report in the hopes that you’ll work with them to resolve the issue and improve their driving.

Reduce Liability & Avoid Regulatory Issues

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations provide minimum standards for CDL drivers. Background checks help you comply with these regulations and avoid costly fines or penalties. You also demonstrate due diligence in hiring practices, which can help reduce your liability in incidents.

When you run these checks, remember to keep records. A background screening servicer can help you keep careful, organized records that you can pull up instantly.

Example: A background check reveals a driver failed to report a medical condition. You can take action before it leads to a regulatory violation.

Maintain Reputation

A single accident or incident involving an unqualified driver is more than a financial issue. It can damage your company's image. On the other hand, hiring qualified, safe drivers helps you build trust with clients, partners, and the communities you serve. A positive reputation leads to customer loyalty and more business opportunities.

Example: A local news story highlights your company's rigorous hiring practices, including background checks, as a model for industry safety standards.

Reduce Costs & Improve Safety

Background checks provide a significant return on investment. You avoid costly turnover by selecting candidates with clean records and stable employment histories. Employees who value safety and quality will stick around, avoiding the cost of re-hiring for these positions.

Regular checks also allow you to monitor your drivers' ongoing performance and address issues proactively. You can provide training or take corrective action after discovering minor infractions. This can reduce accidents, keeping your employees and equipment safe.

Example: After conducting thorough background checks, your company experiences a 30% reduction in preventable accidents for two years in a row.

CDL Check Requirements

Federal regulations require background checks for commercial driver's license holders. The background screening process covers many areas, from licensure status to watch list searches. Let’s look at a few verification requirements here:

1. Identity Verification

In this first step, you’ll confirm the applicant's identity using government-issued photo identification. This crucial step will help you detect fraud. Someone who lies about their identity may be hiding a criminal history or other problematic past issues under their old name.

A background check can cross-reference the provided information with official databases. It can verify social security numbers through the Social Security Administration's online verification system and use document authentication technology to spot fake IDs or altered documents.

Example: An applicant presents a driver's license with inconsistent information. Further investigation reveals a stolen identity being used in an attempt to bypass background checks.

2. Verifying Licensure

Hiring someone without the correct qualifications can increase your liability. Check the validity of the applicant's CDL through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Confirm any endorsements or restrictions associated with the license and verify that the license class matches the position.

You can also contact previous employers to validate work history and driving experience. Use the Commercial Driver's License Information System to check for out-of-state violations.

Example: A driver claims to have a hazardous materials endorsement. Your verification reveals the endorsement expired six months ago.

3. Criminal Background Check

To protect your company, search federal, state, and county criminal databases in areas where the applicant has lived or worked. Look for felony convictions and any charges related to vehicle operation, both of which could disqualify the applicant. Pay special attention to crimes involving drugs or alcohol, as those are major red flags for someone in charge of a vehicle.

Example: A background check uncovers a recent DUI conviction in a neighboring state. It disqualifies the applicant from CDL positions.

4. MVR Background Check

A great way to see whether someone will be a good driver is to see if they’ve been a good driver in the past. Obtain a complete Motor Vehicle Record from each state where the applicant has held a license. Review the record for traffic violations, accidents, and license suspensions.

Check for patterns of reckless driving or repeated infractions. Analyze the recency, severity, and frequency of any violations on the record.

Example: An MVR check reveals multiple speeding tickets in the past year, prompting additional driver safety training requirements.

5. State & Federal Regulations

Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's hiring requirements and stay updated on state-specific regulations that may exceed federal standards. If you don’t follow regulations, any incident or accident by your employees puts your company at risk for major fines or lawsuits. Staying compliant reduces your risk.

Develop a compliance checklist to ensure that all required checks are completed. You’ll also want to track changes in laws and regulations so your checklist is always current. Maintain detailed records of your background check process for potential audits.

Example: Your state introduces new background check requirements for hazmat drivers. You update your screening process to include these additional checks.

6. Domestic Watch List Search

To keep your employees and community safe, you’ll want to ensure you’re hiring drivers without a history of violence. Screen applicants against government watch lists, including the terrorist screening database. Check the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals list. Include searches of sex offender registries, too.

Conduct watch list searches using reputable third-party services. Create a process for handling potential matches and resolving false positives.

Example: A watch list search flags a common name. Further investigation confirms it's not the same individual as your applicant.

7. CDL Drug Testing

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates pre-employment drug tests for all CDL applicants. Register with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to check for previous violations. Use DOT-approved testing facilities and follow strict chain-of-custody procedures. Develop clear policies for handling positive test results.

You can use background screening solutions tailored for the transportation industry, like Driver iQ. Our services include all required CDL checks, and the software integrates with the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

Example: A pre-employment drug test reveals marijuana use. The applicant is disqualified and reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

Are CDL Background Check Requirements Always the Same?

At a national level, the FMCSA mandates minimum requirements for all CDL holders. These include a three-year motor vehicle record check, employment verification for the past three years, and drug and alcohol testing history.

However, beyond these basics, employers and regulatory bodies have flexibility in tailoring CDL background check requirements to specific needs.

Factors that may impact CDL background check requirements include:

• • Position specifics (hazardous materials transport vs. standard freight)
  • State and local regulations (some states may mandate more frequent MVR checks or have stricter criteria for disqualifying offenses)
  • Company policies (including risk management strategies)
  • Industry-specific requirements (passenger transport vs. cargo)
  • Insurance provider requirements
  • Client or contract specifications

For example:

• • A driver transporting hazardous materials may undergo a more rigorous background check, including a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) threat assessment.
  • A driver working for a company contracting with government agencies may be subject to in-depth background checks, such as a deep criminal history check or security clearance requirements.
  • A high-value goods transporter might conduct more thorough financial background checks to mitigate theft risks.

As an employer, you must stay informed about the minimum federal requirements and additional checks necessary (or beneficial) for operations. Background check reviews ensure compliance with regulations and adherence to industry best practices.

How Background Check Services Streamline Your Process

Background check services streamline the CDL background check process by automating some manual processes. Instead of independently verifying everything, background check services provide quick verification of an applicant’s identity and CDL license.

Some background check services, like Driver iQ, offer services tailored to the transportation industry. Our platform offers numerous benefits that improve your screening process. Using Driver iQ:

• • Reduces compliance risks and liability with up-to-date regulatory checks.
  • Improves data accuracy through direct-source verifications from government agencies.
  • Improves candidate experience with a mobile-friendly interface.
  • Allows you to access the most current records through real-time monitoring.
  • Alerts you to changes in drivers’ records so you stay on top of infractions before they become legal problems.

Driver iQ's extensive network of data sources gives you instant access to hard-to-find information, such as employment verifications from smaller carriers. The platform's analytics tools also give you valuable insights that help you improve your hiring practices.

Driver iQ Is Here to Help You Screen Your Driver

CDL background check requirements keep your team safe, compliant, and working without disruption. You put responsible drivers on the road without increasing your risk.

Cisive’s Driver iQ gives you the tools to access the most up-to-date information so you never have to second-guess your hiring decisions. Fill out our online form to speak with a Driver iQ expert and learn more about our background screening services.