Florida Driving Record and MVR Checks

A driving record check in Florida, also called a motor vehicle report (MVR), searches a candidate’s Florida driving history – including license class and status, traffic violations, accidents, and crimes committed with a vehicle such as DUIs. Employers often include a FL driving record as part of a pre-employment background check to promote safety. Employers can choose to conduct a Florida motor vehicle check directly through the Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) or partner with a trusted background check provider, like Checkr.

Florida has 3 different types of MVRs:

Florida driving records are maintained by the Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) department. Several other state authorities are also involved in enforcing Florida driving laws, including:

Florida crash reports, which provide detailed information on accidents, are also available and can be requested using the FLHSMV’s Florida Crash Portal.

When a Florida driver commits a traffic violation or breaks a traffic law, they can be charged with a uniform traffic citation, also known as a ticket. Tickets are typically issued for infractions such as texting while driving or running a stop sign. If the violation was serious, such as death or bodily injury with a motor vehicle or DUI, the driver could also be charged with a crime.

How long a Florida traffic violation stays on a person’s driving record depends on the type of incident as follows:

To help maintain safety for positions that involve driving, Florida employers may choose to conduct a Florida MVR report during the hiring process. In some cases, such as school bus drivers, a motor vehicle check may be required by law.  Additionally, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) also requires organizations to conduct both pre-employment and annual employee DOT background checks on DOT-regulated commercial drivers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations may also apply to companies that operate certain types of vehicles, including commercial trucks, vehicles that transport hazardous materials, and passenger vehicles with a seating capacity for 9 or more passengers.

Reviewing a Florida motor vehicle report can also help employers mitigate risk – especially if a candidate’s driving history is poor. Incidents like traffic violations or on-the-job accidents can affect insurance premiums or even the ability to have a commercial policy. Knowing a candidate’s motor vehicle history up front can help employers make more informed hiring decisions.

There are a few ways to get a Florida driving record, depending on the information needed. For example, individuals that want to check their driver license, can do so for free on the FLHSMV’s online Driver License Check. People can also purchase a copy of their own 3-year, 7-year, or complete Florida MVR using the Driver License Record Request Form and submitting it to the FLHSMV in person or by mail. Individuals may also access their Florida driving record through a court clerk or an authorized third-party provider, like their insurance agent.

Employers conducting a Florida MVR as part of the hiring process can also access Florida driving records directly. However, employers may choose to work with a qualified background check provider instead. When working with a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to conduct background checks, employers are required to comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Under the FCRA, employers must provide the candidate with notice prior to conducting a background check, receive written consent, and follow the adverse action process should the employer decide not to hire a person based on information revealed in the background check.

Employers that conduct a MVR check in Florida must be sure to comply with both federal and state regulations. Employers that are unsure of Florida MVR laws may wish to comply with the strictest federal, state, and local laws to avoid potential liability. Here is what you need to know about federal and state of Florida driving record laws:

Summary: The federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is designed to protect a driver’s personal information. Under this law, use of personal information that appears on motor vehicle records is limited to certain purposes. See law.

Summary: Florida Statute 119.0712(2), or the Florida Sunshine Law, permits Florida traffic records to be treated as public records, with certain exceptions. The law applies to driving records maintained by the FLHSMV and other state agencies. Some personal information on FLHSMV public records may only be released when authorized under the DPPA. In addition, people with high-risk positions, such as law enforcement officers and their families, are exempt from any open public record requirements under this law. See law.

Summary: California public records that are open to inspection can be viewed by any person, unless the record is exempt from disclosure by law. But under the Public Records Act, viewing times are limited to the office hours of the agency that maintains them. Certain records may also be available online. See law.

Summary: Under this law, which went into effect in March 2023, crash report data in a computerized database is now considered confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying requirements. However, the media is still permitted to access a crash report as long as personal information about those involved with the accident is excluded. Crash reports are also permitted to be available for 60 days after the report is filed to any person or entity with eligible access under the DPPA. Additionally, certain personal information from Florida traffic tickets is exempt from public records and copying requirements, including driver’s date of birth, license number, license plate number, telephone number and full address beyond their zip code. See law.

Summary: Passed in 2021, this law features 4 public record exemptions that make certain types of private information on Florida motor vehicle records exempt from disclosure, including information received by FLHSMV during investigations of:

See law.

Florida organizations whose employees operate certain types of equipment, drive company vehicles, or use their own vehicles for sales calls and other driving-related responsibilities, may choose to conduct a Florida MVR check to promote driver safety and reduce risk.

Working with a qualified background check provider, like Checkr, to conduct Florida driving record checks can streamline the process for efficient hiring. Checkr offers multiple background searches, including MVR checks as a standalone screening or add-on to a comprehensive background check, and Continuous MVR to search for incidents on an ongoing basis. Our easy-to-review reports are fast and reliable, with most completing within minutes. Get started.

About the author

As Compliance Manager, Danielle analyzes the ever-changing laws and regulations affecting background screening to ensure that Checkr and its customers stay compliant. She also writes content to educate employers about background checks, screening best practices, and fair hiring laws.