Virginia MVR checks: A complete guide for employers

A Virginia MVR check is a review of the official government record of a person's driving history. In Virginia, this type of check retrieves a driving transcript directly from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a driver licensed in the state.

A Virginia MVR typically includes information like license status, traffic violations and convictions, demerit points assigned by the state, and accident history. Any suspensions or revocations of driving privileges may also be reported.

Employers use Virginia MVR checks when evaluating candidates for positions that involve driving. This helps confirm whether the candidate's license is valid for the vehicle type and also provides recent driving history that’s relevant to job requirements.

Employers run MVR checks to assess potential driver risks, limit their business’s liability, meet insurance conditions, and maintain fleet safety programs. These checks are commonly used for roles that involve operating company or personal vehicles for work purposes.

Virginia driving records contain several categories of information describing a person's licensing status and driving history. The exact content depends on the type of DMV transcript requested, but the following categories are the most common.

An MVR lists the driver's name, license number, license class, original issue date, and expiration date. Endorsements and restrictions also appear, such as commercial vehicle classes, motorcycle privileges, hazardous materials authorization, or corrective-lens requirements.

An MVR shows court-adjudicated traffic offenses recorded by the Virginia DMV. Entries include citations and convictions for moving violations, equipment-related violations reported to the DMV, and serious offenses like reckless driving or eluding law enforcement.

Reportable crashes appear with dates and basic details. A crash may be listed even when fault was not assigned to the driver: Fault determination doesn’t control whether the crash appears.

Periods of suspension, revocation, disqualification, or restriction are recorded along with reason codes. Common reasons include point accumulation, uninsured operation, failure to comply with court terms, or DUI-related administrative actions.

Virginia uses a demerit point system, typically assigning 3, 4, or 6 points based on the severity of an offense. DUI and DWI convictions and related administrative actions are flagged on the MVR, including offense dates and disposition information.

Virginia DMV driving records use defined lookback periods based on the type of transcript you request:

Employers can request different record types based on company policy or role requirements. A 7-year employment transcript is most common for hiring purposes.

Employers have several options for obtaining Virginia driving records for hiring or compliance purposes. The general process follows a few specific steps.

If you’re requesting an MVR from the state, you must fill out a request form. This includes checking the box of the specific permissible purpose for running the MVR check, which complies with the requirements of both the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and Virginia Code § 46.2-208, Virginia’s mini version of the DPPA.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to obtain a signed authorization from the driver before requesting an MVR for employment purposes. A standalone disclosure and signed consent form satisfies this requirement.

Provide required driver information, like full name, date of birth, Virginia driver's license number, and Social Security number. Fees apply per record and vary by transcript type and request method but typically cost $8 or $9.

Evaluate the record using established criteria for qualified drivers and any applicable regulatory standards. Retain any necessary documentation according to your company policy and applicable compliance requirements.

Virginia DMV charges a per-record fee for each motor vehicle record request. The total depends on the transcript type and how the request is submitted.

Third-party screening providers typically pass through the state DMV fee and add a service fee. Some providers bundle MVR checks with other screenings, such as criminal background checks or employment verification, in package pricing.

A Virginia MVR check can take anywhere from a few minutes to several business days, depending on how the request is submitted.

Several federal and state laws govern how employers access and use Virginia driving records.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies when an employer obtains an MVR through a consumer reporting agency (CRA) for employment purposes. Under the FCRA, employers are required to provide a clear, standalone disclosure and obtain written authorization from the driver before the check is run.

If an employer plans to take a negative employment action (such as not hiring a candidate) based on MVR results, the FCRA adverse action process applies. This includes sending a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report, allowing time for the driver to respond, and issuing a final adverse action notice if the decision stands.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law that restricts how personal information from motor vehicle records may be accessed and used. Employers and their authorized agents may access Virginia driving records only for permitted purposes, such as employment screening. The DPPA also limits redisclosure of that information beyond certain permissible purposes. In addition to the federal DPPA, you must also comply with  Virginia Code § 46.2-208 if you want to pull MVRs from the Virginia DMV.

Virginia DMV access rules require that employment transcripts be accompanied by a signed release that specifies an employment purpose. Employers can make their requests online, by mail, or in person.

FMCSA regulations apply to commercial drivers. For roles subject to oversight by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), common requirements include:

Continuous MVR monitoring tracks a driver's motor vehicle record on an ongoing basis after hiring. Rather than relying on a one-time pre-employment check, monitoring programs generate alerts when the record changes, such as a new violation, a license suspension, or a crash entered by the DMV.

Alerts can flag status changes, including suspended, revoked, disqualified, restricted, or expired licenses. Updates to license class, endorsements, CDL medical certification status, or newly added restrictions can also trigger notifications.

Monitoring programs can capture qualifying events from multiple states, not only Virginia. This is useful when a driver receives a citation or experiences a status change in another jurisdiction while working.

Ongoing monitoring creates time-stamped logs of each alert and resolution. These records can support driver qualification files and simplify audit preparation for companies subject to DOT or FMCSA oversight.

Virginia MVR checks, continuous monitoring, and a full range of employment background checks are available through Checkr's platform. MVR results can be ordered as a standalone check or bundled with other screenings, including criminal history, drug testing, and employment verification.

Get started with Checkr today to run motor vehicle record checks for your business.

No. Under the FCRA, employers who use a consumer reporting agency to obtain a motor vehicle record for employment purposes are required to collect a signed disclosure and authorization from the driver before running the check.

CDL holders are subject to additional federal DOT and FMCSA requirements. Employers who are screening commercial drivers typically request a transcript that includes CDL-specific information, such as endorsements, disqualifications, and medical certification status. They may also need to check records from multiple states.

Virginia participates in interstate data-sharing agreements, so certain out-of-state violations may appear on a Virginia driving record. Coverage varies by state and the type of violation, and not all out-of-state events are guaranteed to transfer.

Drivers who identify inaccuracies on their Virginia driving record can file a dispute directly with the Virginia DMV to request a review and correction.

A driving record and a motor vehicle record (MVR) refer to the same document: an official transcript of a person's driving history maintained by a state DMV. The terms are used interchangeably, though "MVR" is more common in employment screening contexts.

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