Your Top 5 DOT Verification Questions Answered
What is DOT Employment verification?
Department of Transportation (DOT) employment verification is a mandatory DOT background check on a driver prior to hiring. Information collected during the DOT verification and, ultimately, the truck driver recruiting process include:
According to CFR 391.23, DOT verification requires these details from the past three years for all commercial drivers.
Who needs DOT verification?
Any person who intends to drive a commercial motor vehicle requires DOT employment verification. Commercial motor vehicles, as defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are regulated by the DOT.
According to the Department of Transportation, any vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds is considered a commercial motor vehicle. If the vehicle transports more than a certain amount of passengers or is used in transporting hazardous materials, it may qualify as a commercial vehicle as well.
Note that possessing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) has no bearing on whether you require DOT verification or not. As long as the driver is applying to drive a commercial vehicle as defined by the DOT, DOT verification is mandatory.
What do employers need to know about employment verification?
All American trucking companies operating fleets are regulated by the DOT. The DOT sets out standards that are monitored and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). By abiding by these standards, the aim is to prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities on American roads.
One of these standards is the requirement for employers to conduct employment verification. As an employer, you want to verify the candidate’s experience, skills, and integrity. Too often than not, resumes can be embellished to paint a picture that’s not representative of the candidate.
Some items employers need to look out for when conducting employment verification:
- Reasons for leaving previous jobs
- Length of time working for former employers
- Gaps in employment history
- DOT employment verification
- Technical skills and experience
Whether it’s by manually verifying the candidate yourself or using an online employment verification system, ensure you do your due diligence when conducting background checks on potential employees.
How Long Does a DOT Background Check Take?
DOT background checks are required as part of current government regulations. Your DOT employment verification form is a necessary part of getting your driver on the road in your state.
Conducting a DOT verification of employment, obtaining driver records, and performing a criminal background search is time-consuming. Employing a professional service to figure out what is required by DOT on an employment verification, understanding DOT employment verification requirements, and ensuring you remain compliant with fair hiring laws can save you time and headaches.
The time it takes to conduct a compliant DOT previous employment verification varies depending on the services you use, how quickly you can access the correct records, and the number of years your driver has been in the business. With a professional, it can take as little as three days to one week. Without one, it could take much longer to perform a comprehensive driver verification.
How do I comply with a DOT background check?
In order to comply with a DOT background check you’ll need to complete the following:
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MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) Background Check
Verify the driver’s motor vehicle record for the past three years. The MVR indicates any records of violations or infractions.
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Employment History Check
Ensure a DOT request for information from previous employer is made to validate the claims made in the employment application or resume.
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Medical Examination Check
Medical clearance from an approved medical examiner needs to be verified and kept on file.
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Drug and Alcohol Test
The FMCSA details which drugs are prohibited while operating a commercial vehicle. Alcohol levels must also be under an acceptable level.
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Road Test
Passing a road test is also mandatory to comply with the DOT background check. Even those with a commercial driver’s license may need to complete a road test when applying for a new company.
Dos and Don’ts for conducting a background check
While it can be a straightforward process, there are still nuances to consider when conducting a background check:
Understand DOT regulations
Non-compliance with DOT regulations can be costly to the employer, employee, and even the public. As an employer, you can face fines and penalties. Ensure you understand all aspects of DOT regulations.
Cut corners
The DOT background check is extensive and requires lots of paperwork. Make sure you are thorough in ensuring all the necessary checks are completed. Having a system in place to monitor DOT compliance can also help.
Convey your background check policy
Ensure the applicant knows what type of background or screening checks you are conducting. Your check policy should be clear and in writing, and include contact information in the case the applicant wants to file a dispute.
Jump to conclusions
Don’t assume that because a person has a criminal record, they’re immediately disqualified. A criminal record can be old or non-serious in nature and a person could still be qualified for the position, despite their past.
How Tenstreet software works with DOT verification
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Free & Easy Network
Tenstreet software makes verifications and providing simple and easy to manage. Over 50% of your verifications can be handled electronically via Xchange. Any carrier can sign up for free.
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Online Verifications
Instead of wasting time on the fax machine, our Xchange software saves you the trouble of looking up fax numbers, streamlining your verification process and removing paper from the process.
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Built-in Gap Detection
Quickly verify previous employment, education, and military history. Any gaps in employment will be automatically detected. You can also track and store all your verification requests.
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Minutes vs. Weeks
Move to a software platform that speeds up the cumbersome verification process, saving you from missing out on qualified candidates and getting drivers in trucks faster.