Why Less Is More: The Case for Setting Time Limits on Criminal Background Checks in Trucking

In the transportation industry, safety and compliance drive every decision—especially when it comes to hiring. Background checks play a critical role in ensuring that drivers meet the highest standards. But when it comes to searching criminal records, more information isn’t always better. In fact, digging too far back into a driver’s history can increase your company’s risk.

At Driver iQ, we’ve developed a thoughtful approach to background screening that balances safety, compliance, and fairness. One of the key tools we use to accomplish this is our Criminal Matrix.

Here’s why setting time limits on criminal background checks protects your business, and how our Criminal Matrix helps you stay compliant while making sound hiring decisions.

Understanding the Risk of Going Too Far Back

It’s easy to assume that more information is better when it comes to screening drivers. After all, knowing as much as possible about a candidate seems like the safest path, right?

Not exactly. Searching too far back into a driver’s criminal history can actually create unnecessary risk for your company. Returning outdated or irrelevant information may lead to unfair hiring decisions, regulatory penalties, or even lawsuits. The longer the lookback period, the more likely you are to encounter information that should no longer factor into employment decisions.

That’s why Cisive Driver iQ takes a different approach. We help you focus on what matters most: recent, relevant information that directly impacts safety and compliance.

What Is a Criminal Matrix—and Why Driver iQ Developed One

A criminal matrix is a structured guide that defines how far back Driver iQ searches for different types of criminal offenses. Not every offense is treated the same—and not every offense carries the same level of risk for a commercial driving position.

For example, serious offenses such as violent felonies may warrant a longer lookback period, while minor infractions that occurred many years ago may not be relevant today. Our matrix outlines these distinctions, ensuring that your background checks return the right information for the right reasons.

Driver iQ developed this matrix based on:

• • Legal standards, including guidance from the EEOC and FCRA.
  • Industry best practices specific to the transportation sector.
  • Risk relevance, ensuring that offenses directly related to driver safety are prioritized.

Our Criminal Matrix is designed to protect your company while helping you make informed, fair decisions.

The Risks of Going Too Far Back in Criminal History

Accessing criminal history that falls outside of an appropriate lookback period can expose your company to serious risks:

• • Legal Ramifications: The EEOC and FCRA both provide guidelines for how criminal history should be used in employment decisions. Violating these standards can result in costly penalties or legal challenges.
  • Discrimination Claims: If outdated or irrelevant offenses influence your hiring decision, you could face claims of discrimination—even if that wasn’t your intention.
  • "You Can't Unsee It": Once information is included in a background check, there’s no way to prove it didn’t factor into your hiring decision. Courts and regulators may assume that any data accessed was considered, even if you claim otherwise.

In short, the more irrelevant information you collect, the more liability you create.

Responsible Background Screening Builds Trust and Compliance

At Driver iQ, we believe that background checks should be about quality, not quantity. That’s why our Criminal Matrix is designed to:

• • Ensure Compliance: Align with legal standards and industry best practices to reduce your risk of non-compliance.
  • Support Fair Hiring: Provide only the information that is relevant to the role, helping you make fair, defensible decisions.
  • Prioritize Safety: Focus on offenses that truly impact driver safety and operational integrity.

Collecting more data than necessary doesn’t make your company safer—it makes it more vulnerable. Our approach ensures that your screening process is defensible, compliant, and focused on what matters most.

Screening Smarter with Driver iQ

Smarter background screening means safer hiring. Driver iQ’s Criminal Matrix helps you strike the right balance between comprehensive screening and legal compliance, ensuring you only receive the information that protects your business without overexposing it to risk.

Plus, with U.S.-based customer service experts who understand the specific needs and regulatory requirements of trucking carriers in the U.S., we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Contact Driver iQ today to learn how our Criminal Matrix and tailored screening solutions can help you build safer, more compliant hiring practices.