Do Speeding Tickets Show Up on Background Checks?

Background checks are an important part of the hiring process. Depending on the employer, candidates may be asked to consent to a basic criminal background check or a more in-depth check that focuses on criminal background, educational background, driving background, or other checks required for the role. 

Figuring out do speeding tickets show up on background checks is a major problem for some candidates. Poor driving history can impede your ability to get hired for certain roles. Candidates must be aware of their rights and the rules surrounding what they are required to disclose and what employers are allowed to see.

If you’re wondering, “Will a speeding ticket affect a background check?” here’s what you need to know.

Before discussing do tickets show up on background checks, it’s important to note what appears on an employment pre-screening check in the first place.

What an employer will learn on a background check depends on the type of check they want to run. Some examples of what may appear on a background check include:

Not all employers will run every type of check. Typically, an employer will run checks based on the role you’re applying for. Ultimately, if you work behind a desk all day, then chances are your employer doesn’t need to see your speeding record because it has no relevance to the job.

For example, you’re likely to be subject to more stringent checks if you are working in a role involving a vulnerable demographic, finance, or if you will be handling sensitive data. In addition, if you’re applying for a delivery driver position, a driving records screen is relevant while the same review may not be necessary for someone applying for a cashier position. 

Speeding tickets are most likely to appear within your driving records. Whether an employer runs a driving records check depends on the job role and responsibilities.

Speeding tickets may appear on a criminal record if the state where the speeding ticket is from considers it a criminal charge. In addition, speeding may contribute to other charges that could leave you with both a fine and a criminal record. Keep in mind, this is highly state-dependent.

For example, California may charge drivers who speed excessively with reckless driving or street racing, which are criminal matters.

A conviction for reckless driving or street racing will likely be visible to employers and may impact your employment prospects.

Do speeding tickets show up on background checks? They can. They are most likely to appear in a driving records check but may also appear in the criminal history check depending on whether the speeding ticket is treated as a criminal charge by the state that issued the ticket. 

But do speeding tickets affect employment prospects? It depends on the role. Employers can run a speeding ticket background check, where they will receive a list of your traffic violations.

When applying for jobs that require reliable, responsible operation of a motor vehicle, such as truck drivers or delivery drivers, speeding tickets could cost you that job.

There are caveats, however. Someone with a single speeding ticket caused by driving five miles per hour over the limit will be viewed very differently from someone who received three tickets in the last six months.

Perhaps you received a speeding ticket within days of applying for a job. Do speeding tickets show up on background checks if they are considered pending?

The officer will give you a piece of paper listing the speeding violation and a fine when you receive a ticket. Depending on the state, you have the right to contest a speeding ticket. While a ticket is pending, it will not show up on your driving record. However, a pending ticket could show up on your criminal history check if the state that issued the ticket considers it a criminal charge.

How long do speeding tickets stay on your record? The time a speeding ticket remains on your driving record can vary from state to state. Some driving records will only include speeding tickets from the last three years, while others may show speeding tickets from up to seven years. Employers generally will not see speeding tickets older than seven years on your driving record, but keep in mind that this varies from state to state. In some states, serious speeding tickets, like a reckless driving speeding ticket, could be on your driving record for 10 years.

If you’re wondering, “Does a speeding ticket affect a background check?” or, “Do speeding tickets come up on background checks?” you generally don’t need to worry about that speeding ticket you received over seven years ago. The timeline of reporting will depend on the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

Now that you know the answer to “does a speeding ticket show up on a background check?” you may be wondering how to land that dream job.

Many candidates with a history of speeding tickets may be concerned that their driving history will become an issue when a prospective employer conducts further checks on them.

Here’s how to approach the issue of speeding tickets on your record during the interview process.

Employers need to adhere to legislation that protects the privacy of the candidate. Any background check must be relevant to the role. For example, when applying for a driving job, the company will likely run a driving record check on you. You need to know how to deal with a speeding ticket background check.

The issue of speeding tickets often causes undue worry. Few employers will automatically remove you from the hiring process because you received a speeding ticket or two during the last seven years.What matters is that you are proactive if the employer requires you to consent to a driving record check. An advanced background check partner, like Checkr, allows candidates to explain or add context to any records that show up on a background check. Candidate stories empowers candidates to get in front of any potential records they want to expand upon.

For the most part, a speeding ticket will not be an obstacle to employment. At Checkr, we provide in-depth background checks and educational material to give candidates a fair chance of getting hired and ensure that employers protect their businesses. 

​​With artificial intelligence and machine learning, our solutions make background checks faster, easier, and more compliant. Since launching in 2014, our mission has been to create better futures for everyone by designing technology that creates opportunities. We believe that removing bias from the hiring process allows everyone to have access to meaningful and rewarding employment. 

To learn more about how our technology leads to faster and fairer hiring practices, contact Checkr today to see how we can transform the background check process for your business.