Utah Driving Record & MVR Checks

Employers can use this guide to Utah MVRs to learn more about what they need to know about conducting a driving record check, what kinds of information may show up, what laws and regulations may apply, and how to get a driving record in Utah.

A motor vehicle report (MVR) in Utah shows hiring managers details about a candidate’s driving record, like license class and status, traffic violations, and some types of vehicle-related convictions. Employers often use Utah MVRs as part of the pre-employment background check process to make more informed hiring decisions or to meet legal requirements. For example, Utah rideshare drivers and school bus drivers are required to undergo an MVR check according to state law.

Organizations regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are mandated to perform both pre-employment and annual DOT background checks on DOT-regulated commercial drivers. This generally includes drivers of interstate commercial trucks, vehicles that seat nine or more passengers, and vehicles that transport hazardous materials. This data is pulled from the state MVR system.

Utah has two types of driving records: individual driver history and commercial driver history. Both types of records are maintained by the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and, notably, not by the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Utah DMV does, however, maintain copies of vehicle records such as titles, liens, and registrations. 

Here’s a closer look at the two types of Utah motor vehicle records: 

By providing visibility into a candidate’s driving record, license status, and vehicle-related convictions, an MVR report in Utah can help hiring managers determine a candidate’s qualifications and eligibility for a role. Plus, Utah employers can use MVRs to maintain compliance, mitigate risk for their organization, and protect workplace and public safety—particularly for roles that involve operating vehicles and machinery. 

Checking a Utah driver’s record can also allow employers to safeguard themselves against potential liability claims and higher insurance premiums. In some cases, performing MVR checks may be necessary to help organizations maintain their commercial insurance. 

MVRs are often part of a comprehensive employment background screening program that includes other types of background checks, such as criminal background checks, employment verification, education verification, civil court checks, and more. 

Individuals can submit a record request for an individual or commercial Utah driving record online, by mail, or in person. To request records in person, an appointment must first be scheduled with the Driver License Division of the Utah DPS. Form DLD60 must be completed for all record requests submitted by mail or in person. Certified individual MVRs can also be requested by mail using forms DLD60m and DLD266M. 

Qualifying employers and third parties can access both individual Utah MVRs and CDL driving records one at a time online. But first, they must register for an account with Utah.gov and sign an affirmation that they’re allowed under federal DPPA or FMCSA regulations to obtain the MVR. Third parties may also request MVRs in person or by mail using form DLD60a.

Once approved, employers may also sign up for access to Utah’s driver history monitoring service to continuously check driver records. Information provided by this service includes moving violations like pleas in abeyance, suspensions, revocations, disqualifications, medical certificate information (CDL only), and change notifications.

When conducting pre-employment MVRs in Utah and other states where your organization needs to hire, partnering with a qualified background check provider, like Checkr, can help streamline the process, speed up recruiting, and ease the strain on HR staff. This is especially true if you need to order MVRs or other background screenings from multiple states, all of which have different processes and regulations for obtaining records.

Keep in mind that employers that choose to work with a consumer reporting agency (CRA) must comply with the federal regulations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). So, it’s important to work with an FCRA-compliant background check service.

Under the FCRA, employers are required to provide candidates with written notice of their intent to conduct a background check and receive written consent before starting the search. In the event an employer decides not to hire the candidate based on information found on the background check, they’re mandated by law to follow the adverse action process.

Motor vehicle records in Utah include information about an individual's driving history for up to three years. However, some vehicle-related charges may remain on a Utah MVR for up to 10 years. Utah CDL MVRs feature information about a driver's commercial driving history. Per both state and federal law, certain types of personal information are omitted from Utah public driving records.

Individual Driver History records include: 

Commercial Driver History records include:

The state of Utah uses a violation point system for Utah driving record reports to assign levels of severity to traffic violations. For example, reckless driving is 80 points, following too close is 60 points, and a speeding ticket for driving one to 10 miles over the speed limit is 35 points. 

If an individual over age 21 accumulates 200 or more points on a Utah driver’s record in three years, they may receive a driver license suspension for three months to a year. Drivers under age 21 can face driver license suspension or driver license denial for one month to a year after hitting 70 points within three years.

Employers should consult the Utah DPS for the most up-to-date point and violation information.

An MVR in Utah generally costs $8–$11, depending on whether you order an uncertified or certified version. Employers that choose to conduct MVRs in-house may have additional overhead costs associated with MVRs, especially labor costs for time spent manually ordering and reviewing reports. In addition to increased overhead, the process can be time-consuming, with less accurate reporting and a slower time to hire.

Organizations that partner with a CRA, like Checkr, can benefit from a streamlined ordering experience and customized pricing packages. Checkr’s background check packages allow employers to choose and pay for only the screenings they need, skip the ones they don’t, and minimize organizational costs for ordering reports manually. 

Utah employers that choose to conduct a Utah MVR record search need to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Employers who are unsure of which laws apply may wish to adhere to the strictest regulations to avoid potential liability.

Summary: Under the federal DPPA, the use of motor vehicle records is limited to individuals and entities that have a permissible use under law—helping to protect an individual’s personal information. See law.

Summary: This statewide act requires rideshare drivers to submit to background checks prior to beginning work, which should include reviewing a Utah driver’s license record to ensure validity. Transportation companies are also required to review a driver’s motor vehicle history to confirm the individual doesn’t have more than three moving violations in three years and hasn’t been convicted in the seven years before the day of application of certain crimes, including a DUI, fraud, a sexual offense, vehicle-related felony, act or terror, or crime involving theft, violence, or property damage. See law.

Utah employers that partner with a trusted background check provider, like Checkr, to look into a candidate’s driving history experience a more streamlined background check process with quicker turnaround times, more accurate results, and less time to hire. Checkr offers many types of background checks, including MVR checks, which can be ordered as standalone screenings or added to a more comprehensive pre-employment background check. Get started now.

About the author

Sarah writes about small business topics and corporate communications. She has written on a wide range of topics, including background checks, hiring trends, company culture, and employee training and development. Her work includes educational articles, press releases, newsletters, and employee onboarding collateral.