Guide to Automotive Background Check Services

You can easily find the driving records of job applicants

By Holly Ocasio Rizzo

1. Let the applicant know that you'll be performing a background check. That's because job applicants have a right to privacy.
2. Perform only checks that are necessary. If you play detective, performing a too-extensive background check, you may wind up in legal trouble.
3. Simplify the process by searching records online rather than visiting your Department of Motor Vehicles office.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a signed consent form

To reduce the risk of an invasion of privacy claim, ask job applications sign forms consenting to a background search.

I recommend: U.S. Legal Forms has downloadable prospective-employee permission forms for background checks.

Get a request form from the recordkeeping agency

You'll need the applicant's full name, date of birth, driver's license number and Social Security number to request a driving record. You may need to pay a small fee to get the record.

I recommend: Most states have their own driving-record request forms, and some take online requests. U.S. Legal Forms Inc. offers downloadable state-specific forms.

A professional service can do it for you

Companies specializing in background checks know exactly where to go to obtain driving records – a big help when you need records from other states.

I recommend: DMV.org, SentryLink, Intellius, and References-Etc. are among companies offering to find records nearly instantly.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some states limit how far back their driving records go.
• •  Information you can expect to find includes moving violations, drunken-driving offenses and license suspensions.
• •  It's wise to investigate, because some states have negligent-hiring laws that hold an employer responsible for injuries caused by employees who weren't appropriately checked out before hiring.