Transportation Industry Background Checks

Comprehensive Transportation Background Checks for DOT Compliance & Safer Hiring

Trucking Companies

Ensure safe and compliant road operations by verifying CDL credentials, driving records, and drug screenings before hiring.

Construction and Oil

Mitigate job site risks by conducting thorough background checks related to experience, certifications, and safety compliance.

Passenger Transport

Protect passengers and company reputation with world-class screening for driving history, criminal records, and drug testing.

Private Contractors

Build trust and reliability with straight-forward background checks that verify licensing, work history, and criminal records.

Education and Public Service

Safeguard communities by screening staff and volunteers for criminal history, credentials, and compliance with safety regulations.

Solving Your DOT Compliance & Fleet Risk Management Challenges

What is the difference between an MVR report and MVR monitoring?

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report is a point-in-time snapshot of a driver’s history, typically used during the pre-employment process to verify license status and past violations and re-verified annually. MVR Monitoring is a proactive safety service that continuously scans driver records and alerts you in real-time to new suspensions, accidents, or infractions as they occur, instead of waiting for a yearly check.

  • MVR report: Essential for assessing risk before a driver is hired or assigned to a company vehicle.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Helps maintain compliance with insurance requirements and FMCSA regulations by immediately identifying "at-risk" drivers.

How does the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse affect DOT screening?

The FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is a federal database that tracks drug and alcohol violations for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders. DOT-regulated employers are required by law to query the Clearinghouse during the hiring process and at least once annually to ensure drivers are not in a "prohibited" status.

  • Pre-Employment Queries: Employers must conduct a Full Query (requiring electronic consent) to confirm a candidate has no unresolved violations before performing safety-sensitive functions.
  • Annual Queries: Employers must conduct a Limited Query (requiring written consent) at least once every 12 months for all currently employed CDL and CLP drivers.
  • CDL Downgrades: In 2026, a "prohibited" status in the Clearinghouse triggers an automatic state-level CDL downgrade, making immediate removal from safety-sensitive duty a legal requirement.

What is a PSP report, and why is it used in fleet management?

A Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report is a federal record that provides a commercial driver’s five-year history of crash data and a three-year history of roadside inspection data directly from the FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System’s database. This report is used by fleet managers to identify safety risks and equipment violations that are often excluded from a standard state-issued MVR.

  • Crash History: Details every DOT-recordable crash the driver has been involved in over the last five years.
  • Three-Year Inspection History: Shows roadside inspection data, including "Out-of-Service" violations that often do not appear on a standard MVR.
  • Informed Hiring: Provides a data-driven safety profile. Studies show that drivers with a clean PSP record have significantly fewer future crashes and violations.

How do I complete a DOT-compliant employment verification?

To complete a DOT-compliant employment verification, you must investigate a driver’s Safety Performance History with all DOT-regulated employers from the previous three years. This investigation must be documented meticulously in the Driver Qualification File (DQF) within 30 days of hire.

  • Safety Performance History: Includes inquiries into DOT-related accident records and safety violations from the past three years.
  • Drug & Alcohol History: A verification of past drug test positives or refusals. For CDL drivers, this is supplemented by the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
  • Automated Fulfillment: Verified First streamlines this outreach, reducing the manual burden on your HR team while ensuring full compliance documentation.

How can Verified First help manage DOT physicals and medical certificates?

Verified First helps manage DOT Physicals by providing access to the industry’s largest network of nationwide certified medical examiners through a single, integrated platform. This centralized system allows you to order physicals, track certificate status, and receive automated alerts for upcoming expirations directly within your existing hiring workflow.

  • Proactive Compliance: Real-time reminders for medical certificate renewals reduce the risk of lapses, ensuring your drivers stay legally qualified to operate.
  • Streamlined Scheduling: Electronic registration allows you to direct drivers to the most convenient certified examiner, with results stored centrally in your dashboard.
  • Audit-Ready Records: Consolidate DOT physical results with MVRs and drug test records withVerified First to help you maintain a "continuous" Driver Qualification File (DQF) that is ready for FMCSA audits.

Fast, Reliable Transportation Background Checks

Hiring qualified, safety-conscious drivers and employees is essential in the transportation industry. Transportation companies trust Verified First for specialized background checks that help streamline hiring processes while ensuring compliance with DOT regulations and industry best practices. Whether you need MVR reports to assess driving history or DOT-compliant screening for regulated positions, we deliver customizable and scalable solutions.

Eliminate the hassle of managing multiple vendors and gain a centralized, efficient screening process when you partner with Verified First.

Verified First DOT-Compliant Screening Solutions

We bring together a full suite of services to enhance your pre-employment screening and compliance needs:

Ensure reliable and accurate screening for your applicants through our partnerships with over 10,000 collection sites and laboratories nationwide. We offer a full range of testing options, including pre-employment, random, BAT, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion.

Quickly pull MVRs from all 50 states to verify driving history and identify any red flags that could impact safety on the road and insurance costs.

Stay on top of driver license status changes, medical certifications, and other critical compliance requirements with our automated MVR monitoring system.

Our Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) offers detailed reports on driver roadside inspections and crash histories to aid in making informed hiring decisions. By accessing data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), employers can evaluate a driver’s safety record with accuracy and efficiency. This critical service not only enhances workplace safety but also reduces liability by ensuring compliance with industry standards and hiring practices.

As an approved third-party administrator, we provide access to the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse to easily manage driver compliance information in one secure platform.

Quickly conduct comprehensive criminal background checks at the federal, state, and local levels to foster a safe and secure workplace and maintain legal requirements.

We provide a comprehensive Return to Duty (RTD) and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program designed to assist drivers navigating drug or alcohol violations or Clearinghouse requirements. Our full-service solution provides compliance with federal regulations by coordinating evaluations, treatment plans, and follow-up testing. This streamlined process allows drivers to return to work efficiently and responsibly while maintaining safety and adherence to legal requirements.

The Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) is an essential tool for ensuring the legitimacy and accuracy of your drivers' license information. This nationwide system allows employers to confirm that a driver holds only one valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and ensures compliance with federal regulations. By accessing CDLIS, you can verify license statuses, endorsements, restrictions, and identify any prior violations tied to the license.

Streamline your DOT Employment Verification turn around time, allowing you to make faster more informed hiring decisions. Our experienced team verifies employment history and provides mandatory detailed reports for DOT compliance. 

Verified First simplifies the management of DOT Physicals by providing access to the largest network of certified medical examiners in the industry. Our comprehensive service helpst your drivers meet the necessary medical qualifications to safely and legally operate commercial vehicles. To further streamline compliance, we offer integrated reminders for upcoming medical certificate expirations, reducing the risk of lapses or delays. With Verified First, your company can rely on efficient, reliable, and proactive solutions tailored to meet all your DOT Physicals needs.

Navigating the complexities of DOT audits and investigations requires precision, expertise, and proactive planning. Verified First provides comprehensive support to help your company stay compliant and audit-ready at all times. Our services include meticulous record-keeping, preparation assistance, and guidance through the audit process to help your organization meet regulatory requirements.

Should any violations or deficiencies be identified, we work with you to develop effective Company Policies to address and remediate non-compliance issues promptly. By leveraging our expertise, your company can minimize risks, avoid penalties, and maintain a strong safety and compliance record. With Verified First as your partner, you’re equipped to tackle every aspect of DOT oversight with confidence and efficiency.

Get Started!

Hiring CDL drivers, fleet managers, or warehouse staff? We deliver comprehensive transportation background checks, tailored to your needs.

Fill out the form to speak with an expert and discover how we plan to enhance compliance, speed, and efficiency for your company, today.

ATS Integrations

Time is better spent managing drivers and logistics — not juggling platforms. That’s why we integrate with 150+ HR and applicant tracking systems, making screening a smooth and efficient part of your hiring workflow.

Industry-specific expertise

We understand your unique compliance and safety challenges. Whether you manage a small fleet or a nationwide operation, our scalable screening solutions help exceed DOT and industry regulations.

Dedicated Client Support

Speed and reliability matter, and our client care team delivers. With a 98% Client Satisfaction rating and an average response time of less than 30 seconds, you’ll get the answers you need — fast.

Ready for a world-class screening experience within the Transportation industry?

Simplify DOT compliance, reduce risk, and scale your business. Partner with us today.

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