How to Read a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR): What Employers Should Look For

A practical guide to license status, violations, accidents, suspensions, endorsements, restrictions, and responsible employment review.

Need to order an MVR instead of interpret one? View the step-by-step Motor Vehicle Report ordering guide.

A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), also called a driving record or driver record, can provide important information about a person’s driving history. For employers hiring people who will operate company vehicles, transport passengers, make deliveries, travel between job sites, or drive as part of their regular duties, understanding the report is just as important as obtaining it.

This guide explains how to read a Motor Vehicle Report, what common sections and abbreviations may mean, and what employers should consider when reviewing the results. Because report formats and terminology vary by state and jurisdiction, employers should evaluate each record in context and apply consistent, job-related screening standards.

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What Is a Motor Vehicle Report?

A Motor Vehicle Report is a record obtained from a state motor vehicle agency or other authorized licensing source. Depending on the jurisdiction and report type, an MVR may include:

·         Driver’s license status and expiration date

·         License class, endorsements, and restrictions

·         Moving violations and traffic-related convictions

·         License suspensions, revocations, or cancellations

·         Reportable accidents

·         Points or administrative actions

·         Failure-to-appear or failure-to-comply actions

·         Commercial driver information, when available

The exact information and reporting period can vary by state. An MVR is not the same as a criminal background check, and it should not be treated as a complete review of an applicant’s background.

How to Read a Motor Vehicle Report

Although formats differ, most Motor Vehicle Reports contain several common categories. Review the entire report rather than focusing on a single code or entry.

1. Identity and Driver Information

Start by confirming that the identifying information on the report matches the applicant. Depending on the source, the report may display the driver’s name, date of birth, license number, issuing state, and other identifiers.

Why it matters: A mismatch may indicate a data-entry issue, an incomplete submission, or that the record belongs to another person. Employers should not make a decision based on a record that cannot be reasonably matched to the applicant.

2. License Status

The license status section shows whether the person is currently authorized to drive.

Common status descriptions may include:

·         Valid or active

·         Expired

·         Suspended

·         Revoked

·         Cancelled

·         Denied

·         Restricted

·         Not eligible

For a driving position, a current valid license is often a basic job requirement. A suspended, revoked, expired, or otherwise invalid license may require clarification before the applicant is permitted to drive for the organization.

3. License Class

The license class identifies the type of vehicle the driver is authorized to operate. Class designations vary by jurisdiction, but reports may distinguish between standard passenger licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, motorcycle privileges, and other vehicle classes.

Employer review: Confirm that the license class is appropriate for the vehicle and duties associated with the position. A valid license may still be insufficient if the employee will operate a commercial or specialized vehicle.

4. Endorsements and Restrictions

Endorsements authorize certain driving activities, while restrictions limit how or what a person may drive. Examples may include passenger, school bus, hazardous materials, tanker, motorcycle, corrective-lens, daylight-only, or vehicle-equipment restrictions.

Employers should confirm that all required endorsements are present and that no restriction conflicts with the essential driving duties of the role.

5. Violations and Convictions

The violation section may list traffic citations, moving violations, traffic-related convictions, offense dates, disposition dates, points, and court or agency actions.

Examples may include:

·         Speeding

·         Reckless or careless driving

·         Following too closely

·         Improper lane change

·         Failure to obey a traffic control device

·         Cell phone or distracted-driving violations

·         Driving while license is suspended

·         DUI or DWI-related entries

Not every violation should be treated the same. The relevance of a record may depend on the seriousness of the conduct, how recently it occurred, whether there is a pattern, and the amount of driving required by the position.

6. Accidents

Some MVRs include reportable accidents. The presence of an accident does not always establish fault, and the amount of detail available varies by state. Employers should avoid assuming that every listed accident was caused by the applicant.

Best practice: Review the date, frequency, available description, and any accompanying violations. When the report does not identify fault, consider obtaining additional information before reaching a conclusion.

7. Suspensions, Revocations, and Administrative Actions

A suspension or revocation may result from a driving offense, an administrative issue, failure to appear, failure to maintain insurance, unpaid obligations, medical eligibility, or another state-specific reason.

Look for the effective date, reinstatement date, current status, and any unresolved action. A historical suspension that has been fully resolved may present a different level of concern than a current suspension.

8. Points and State-Specific Codes

Some states use point systems, while others rely on different administrative classifications. Codes and abbreviations are not standardized nationwide. A code appearing on one state’s report may have a different meaning—or no equivalent—in another state.

When a code is unclear, review the report legend or request clarification rather than guessing. Global Background Screening provides reports in a format designed to make the available information easier to review, but the underlying state terminology may still vary.

Common MVR Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are commonly encountered, but the precise wording and meaning may vary by jurisdiction:

Abbreviation	Common Meaning
MVR	Motor Vehicle Report
DL	Driver’s License
CDL	Commercial Driver’s License
DUI	Driving Under the Influence
DWI	Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired
FTA	Failure to Appear
FTC	Failure to Comply
SUSP	Suspended
REV	Revoked
EXP	Expired

What Employers Should Look For on an MVR

There is no single universal standard that determines whether an applicant “passes” or “fails” an MVR review. Employers should use written, job-related criteria that are applied consistently to similarly situated applicants.

Depending on the role, relevant considerations may include:

·         Whether the applicant currently holds the required license

·         Whether the license class and endorsements match the position

·         Whether any restrictions prevent the applicant from performing essential duties

·         The seriousness and recency of violations

·         A pattern of repeated unsafe driving behavior

·         Unresolved suspensions, revocations, or failure-to-appear actions

·         Commercial driving violations relevant to a regulated position

·         Insurance or fleet eligibility requirements

Common MVR Red Flags for Driving Positions

The following entries may require closer review when driving is an essential job function:

·         A currently suspended, revoked, cancelled, or expired license

·         A license class that does not authorize the required vehicle

·         Missing required commercial endorsements

·         Recent reckless-driving or serious speeding violations

·         Multiple moving violations within a short period

·         Recent DUI or DWI-related activity

·         Repeated preventable accidents or violations associated with accidents

·         Driving while suspended or without a valid license

·         An unresolved failure-to-appear or failure-to-comply action

A red flag does not automatically require disqualification. The employer should consider the position, applicable law, company policy, insurer requirements, and the specific facts reflected in the report.

Can an Applicant Fail a Motor Vehicle Report?

An MVR itself does not assign a universal pass-or-fail result. The report presents available driving-record information. The employer determines whether the applicant satisfies the organization’s lawful, job-related standards.

For example, a minor speeding ticket may not affect a role with limited driving, while the same employer may apply stricter criteria to a commercial driver, delivery driver, school transportation employee, or employee operating heavy equipment.

MVR vs. Criminal Background Check

A Motor Vehicle Report and a criminal background check serve different purposes. Employers hiring for driving positions often use both because one does not replace the other.

Category	Motor Vehicle Report	Criminal Background Check
Primary purpose	Review driving history and license eligibility	Review reportable criminal court records
Typical information	License status, violations, accidents, suspensions, restrictions, endorsements	Felonies, misdemeanors, pending cases, and other legally reportable records
Main source	State motor vehicle or licensing agency	Courts, repositories, and authorized criminal-record sources
Best used for	Positions involving driving or vehicle operation	Broader employment risk and qualification review

Learn more about employment background check services and criminal background checks available through Global Background Screening.

What Information Is Needed Before an MVR Can Be Completed?

The applicant must review the required disclosure, provide authorization, verify their identity, and submit the information needed to complete the check. Without this step, the report cannot be processed.

By default, Global Background Screening handles this process after checkout. We send the authorization form directly to the applicant by email and notify the applicant of any additional information or documentation required.

Using MVRs as Part of a Broader Screening Program

For many employers, an MVR is one component of a more complete screening program.

Depending on the position, organizations may combine it with:

·         Criminal background checks

·         Employment verification

·         Education verification

·         Drug testing

·         International background screening

The screening package should be based on the actual responsibilities and risks of the position rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Motor Vehicle Report show?

Depending on the state and report type, an MVR may show license status, class, endorsements, restrictions, moving violations, suspensions, revocations, reportable accidents, points, and administrative actions.

Does an MVR show DUI or DWI information?

A driving record may include DUI- or DWI-related convictions, suspensions, or administrative actions when those records are maintained and made available by the applicable jurisdiction.

Does an MVR show accidents?

Many states include certain reportable accidents, but the information available varies. An accident entry does not always establish that the driver was at fault.

How long do violations stay on an MVR?

The reporting period and retention of driving-record information vary by state, offense type, and available report product. Some jurisdictions offer multiple report periods.

Is an MVR the same as a criminal background check?

No. An MVR focuses on driving history and license status. A criminal background check searches legally reportable criminal court records and other authorized criminal-record sources.

Can an employer order an MVR without the applicant’s authorization?

For an employment-related consumer report, the employer and screening provider must follow applicable authorization, disclosure, and permissible-purpose requirements. Global Background Screening sends the applicant the required electronic authorization process after checkout.

Can an individual order their own MVR?

Yes. Individuals can order a personal Motor Vehicle Report to review their own driving history, subject to availability and jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Order a Motor Vehicle Report Online

Global Background Screening makes it easy to order Motor Vehicle Reports for employment, contractor, volunteer, licensing, personal, and international screening purposes. Pricing is displayed before checkout, and there are no setup or annual fees.

After the order is placed, GBS sends the applicant the required electronic authorization form and collects the information needed to process the report.

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