Indiana motor vehicle record checks: A complete overview

An Indiana motor vehicle record (MVR) check is a report from the Indiana BMV that summarizes a driver's history tied to their Indiana license. Employers, insurers, and government agencies use Indiana MVR reports to verify individuals' license information and review their driving history.

For employment purposes, Indiana MVR checks are typically ordered during pre-employment screening for roles that require driving. They can also be used for ongoing monitoring after a driver has already been hired.

An Indiana MVR report includes information about a driver's license and their history behind the wheel. The exact contents depend on the type of record requested and how far back the report goes.

Common items that appear on an Indiana driving record include:

Indiana MVR reports do not include criminal history unrelated to driving. For a complete picture of a candidate's background, employers often pair an MVR with a criminal background check.

Employers in Indiana run MVR checks when a role involves operating a vehicle as part of the regular job duties. Common examples include delivery drivers, field technicians, transportation workers, and commercial fleet operators.

Some reasons that employers may request Indiana driving records include:

The process for ordering an Indiana MVR check varies depending on whether you're an employer conducting pre-employment screening or an individual requesting your own record.

Employers can request Indiana driving records in a few ways. The most common options are ordering directly from the Indiana BMV, asking the candidate to provide a certified copy, or using a third-party background check provider.

Ordering through a background check provider, like Checkr, allows employers to receive standardized, easy-to-read reports without managing direct BMV requests across multiple candidates or states. Providers also help employers comply with the FCRA and the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which governs how motor vehicle records can be accessed and used.

Before ordering an MVR for employment purposes, employers are required under the FCRA to:

Individuals can access their own Indiana driver record through the Indiana BMV online portal. Two types of records are available:

Individuals can also use a personal background check service, like Checkr, to view information similar to what employers see during screening.

The cost of an Indiana MVR check depends on how the record is requested and whether it's part of a larger screening package.

Third-party pass-through fees from the Indiana BMV may apply separately when ordering through a background check provider. See Checkr's pricing page for current package details.

Indiana MVR reports ordered electronically through a background check provider are often returned within minutes to a few hours. Reports that are ordered directly from the Indiana BMV by mail or in person typically take longer.

The turnaround time for a check can be affected by:

Two primary federal laws govern how Indiana MVR checks may be conducted for employment purposes.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) treats motor vehicle records as consumer reports when used for employment screening. Employers who use a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to order MVRs are required to follow the procedures outlined in the FCRA, which include:

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law that restricts access to personal information contained in motor vehicle records. Under the DPPA, records can only be accessed for permitted purposes, such as employment screening, and redisclosure of that information is limited.

Indiana also has state-level rules under Indiana Code Title 9 governing BMV record access and permissible use. Employers in transportation industries that fall under the jurisdiction of the FMCSA have additional driver qualification and recordkeeping requirements under federal DOT regulations.

If you're an employer, consider the following compliance points when ordering Indiana MVR checks:

Indiana uses a point system to track traffic violations on a driver's record. When a driver is convicted of a moving violation, the Indiana BMV assigns points to their license. More serious violations carry higher point values.

Points remain on a driver's record for a defined period before they expire. The BMV reviews active points within a set time window to assess driving patterns. As new violations are added and older points drop off, the total changes over time.

When point totals reach certain thresholds, the BMV may take action, which can include:

Employers who are reviewing Indiana MVR reports for employment screening will see point totals alongside the candidate's license status and recent violations. Point information can be one factor in evaluating whether a candidate meets a company's internal standards for drivers.

A standard Indiana MVR check captures a single snapshot of a driver's record at the time of screening. Continuous MVR monitoring is an ongoing service that tracks a driver's record over time and alerts employers when changes to the record occur after hire.

This type of post-hire monitoring is commonly used by organizations that manage fleets, employ commercial drivers, or operate in transportation and logistics. Continuous MVR monitoring can alert employers to:

Checkr offers continuous MVR monitoring as an add-on to standard MVR screening. Learn more about continuous background checks and how they work.

MVR checks, continuous driver monitoring, criminal history searches, and employment verification are all available through Checkr's screening platform. Reports can be ordered as standalone checks or combined into a package that fits your organization's hiring workflow.

Checkr integrates with many popular ATS and HRIS systems, so screening can happen within the tools your team already uses. Whether you're a small business hiring your first driver or a large fleet operation managing hundreds of drivers, Checkr's platform is built to scale with you. Get started with Checkr to run Indiana MVR checks today.

Indiana records primarily reflect in-state activity. However, violations from other states can appear if they were reported to Indiana through interstate data-sharing agreements and linked to the driver's Indiana license.

Under the FCRA, employers must provide a clear, stand-alone written disclosure and obtain signed authorization from the candidate before ordering their MVR for employment purposes.

A standard MVR check reports a licensed driver's current license status and driving history. A commercial driver's license (CDL) background check adds DOT and FMCSA-required elements, such as commercial driver qualification details, medical certification status, and regulated drug and alcohol program history.

Yes, individuals can access their Indiana driving record for free through the Indiana BMV online portal or purchase a certified Official Driver Record for $4.

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