Colorado Driving Record & MVR Checks

Our guide to Colorado MVRs for employers aims to help you understand what an MVR includes, how to request an MVR, and how you can use the information within to make informed hiring decisions. We will also cover tips for maintaining compliance when getting a motor vehicle report in Colorado and which driving record laws are important to note.

A Colorado MVR stands for Colorado motor vehicle record, which is a report that offers information on an individual’s driver’s license and driving history. This report may include details about that driver’s current license status, license class, previous moving violations, vehicle accident records, and more. 

Employers often run a Colorado MVR during the pre-employment process to evaluate a candidate’s driving history, especially if they would be operating a company vehicle in that position once hired. An MVR is an important step in the background check process and can help employers mitigate risk and ensure that the candidates they hire are the most qualified. For some employers and positions, running a pre-employment MVR may even be legally required; this often applies to commercial drivers, rideshare drivers, machinery operators, and more. 

For employers hiring positions regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), a pre-employment driving record check is required along with recurring annual DOT background check reports in order to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. FMCSA-regulated positions include drivers who transport hazardous materials, operate certain commercial vehicles, or and some high-volume passenger vehicle operators (like interstate bus drivers).

In Colorado, drivers have two different versions of MVRs available: certified and non-certified. These driving records are maintained by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and can be requested either by the driver directly or by eligible employers who need to verify a candidate’s driving history. 

Both certified and non-certified MVRs show the same information, including the driver’s license status and history, prior accidents, and moving violations, especially those resulting in points. However, only a certified copy is verified by the state prior to issue and can be used as evidence in court. Since a non-certified copy is considered unofficial, employers typically request a certified copy when conducting an employee background check. 

Unlike some states which offer different lengths of an MVR, Colorado reports all show the last seven years of an individual’s driving record. In fact, Colorado motor vehicle record reports are not able to be limited to a period of less than seven years if seven years of driving history are available. You can also request a lifetime driving record that will show all activity on an individual’s driver history from the time their Colorado license was first obtained. 

Colorado MVR reports serve many important purposes for employers, both during the hiring process and throughout an individual’s employment. 

A candidate’s Colorado driving history can be used as part of a comprehensive pre-employment background check, along with other reports such as a criminal record check, credit check, and even alcohol and drug testing. These are commonly used, and often required, when employees have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or will perform certain safety-sensitive services like driving company vehicles or operating machinery within their role. 

Running a motor vehicle report in Colorado during the hiring process enables employers to prioritize public safety, mitigate risk, avoid citations, and even lower insurance rates. They are also key to complying with certain federal regulations for positions that fall under the FMCSA umbrella.

There are three avenues for requesting a copy of a driving record in Colorado: online, by mail, or in person. Drivers and authorized entities, such as attorneys, can request a seven-year or complete (lifetime) Colorado MVR online through the Colorado DMV website by filling out the necessary form. A driving record can also be requested by mail or in person at any Colorado drivers license office, by submitting a Driver Record Requestor Release and Affidavit Form DR-2489. When collecting Colorado MVR reports on their own, employers are only able to request an MVR by mail or in person.

Potential employers and other third parties requesting a Colorado driving record for another person must have written permission from that individual prior to requesting the report, and will also need to declare their intent for the report on a DR-2489 form. Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), like Checkr, can facilitate the records request process and make it both faster and easier to properly vet potential candidates. 

By partnering with a background check agency like Checkr, employers are better able to recruit talent, maintain compliance, ensure workplace safety, and relieve some strain off their HR teams. Rather than navigate state websites and forms, employers will receive easy-to-read reports in one streamlined dashboard.

When working with a professional background check provider, employers must comply with federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines. These FCRA requirements include providing candidates with written notice regarding background check requirements, as well as obtaining written consent from that individual before moving forward with a background check request. If an employer decides not to hire an individual based on the results of that report, they are also required to follow an adverse action process.

Each Colorado driving record report includes at least the last seven years of that individual’s driving history, if available. This includes traffic tickets and vehicle-related convictions (including DUIs), license suspensions and revocations, current driver’s license status, administrative stops, and more. A Colorado MVR may also show points accumulated through the state’s moving violations point system.

Colorado drivers are subject to a point system based on moving violations earned. If too many points are earned within a specific period of time, that driver may be subject to a license suspension or revocation. Accumulated points can also impact a driver’s auto insurance premiums or ability to get a vehicle registration.

A Colorado driver’s record will continue to show any accumulated points within the reporting window (seven years or lifetime), even if those points no longer have any effect on the individual’s driving status. Points stop affecting a driver’s record after 24 months but are never removed unless they are in error.

An MVR report in Colorado may cost $9-10 when ordering directly from the state, depending on the version requested. A standard seven-year driving history report typically has a $9 fee, while obtaining a certified Colorado MVR costs $10. 

Instead of navigating state forms and requesting reports directly from the Colorado DMV, employers can also streamline the process by working with a CRA, like Checkr. Checkr offers customized pricing packages, allowing you to select and pay for only the screenings you need (including MVRs from multiple states). With quick turnaround times and a smooth records request process, you can reduce overhead and labor costs associated with manually ordering these reports yourself. This is especially true when ordering Colorado drivers license record checks for multiple employment candidates at a time, or navigating unique requirements for different positions within your organization. 

Prior to requesting an MVR check in Colorado, employers should understand their compliance responsibilities established by applicable federal and state regulations. Failing to ensure compliance with driving record laws can be both costly and risky for your organization, subjecting you to potential violations, penalties, fines, and even adverse action such as loss of licensure. 

If you’re unsure which federal or Colorado laws apply to you and your organization, you may wish to consult with legal counsel and follow the strictest regulations. Here are some important federal and Colorado driving record laws to keep in mind:

Summary: DPPA is a federal law intended to protect the use of a driver’s personal information, such as their driving record history, and protect the release of that information except in authorized situations. Under this law, a driver’s MVR can only be requested by the individual themselves, or by an eligible entity requesting it for specific purposes. Requesting organizations are required by law to safeguard this information and use it only as intended. See law.

Summary: Passed in 2014, Colorado Senate Bill 14-125 mandates that rideshare drivers working for transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber or Lyft must undergo both a driving record check and criminal background check. This check confirms that drivers have a valid state driver’s license, are over the age of 21, and haven’t been convicted of certain felonies or moving violations. See law.

Summary: The Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) was passed in 2021 and requires certain entities to safeguard drivers’ personal data, as well as obtain consent from drivers prior to accessing and processing their sensitive data. This includes employers who request a copy of a candidate’s or employee’s motor vehicle record. See law.

Summary: Under this law, Colorado state agencies are banned from excluding applicants with criminal records from applying for positions, or including such an exclusion in the job posting. Certain traffic convictions, such as DUIs, are considered both traffic violations and criminal violations in Colorado and will show up both on an MVR as well as a background check. Employers are not able to make the decision to offer or withdraw a position to an individual based on this conviction alone. See law.

Colorado employers can utilize MVRs to optimize their hiring process, reduce risk, simplify compliance, and improve workplace safety, especially if hiring for certain safety-sensitive roles or those that involve operating a company vehicle. By partnering with a trusted background check provider, like Checkr, employers can easily build the exact employee records package that suits their company’s needs at any given time, which can include standalone MVR checks, commercial DOT background checks, a comprehensive pre-employment background check, and more. Most MVR checks can be finalized online in just minutes, with easy-to-interpret reports delivered to your Checkr dashboard. Get started now. 

About the author

Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer who covers a variety of small business and financial topics. For Checkr.com, her work is aimed at helping both employers and job candidates navigate the hiring and employment process in the most informed and effective way.