We like to believe that our fellow drivers on the roadways, byways, highways, side streets and interstates are consistently careful. Their vehicles are maintained and up to code, their hands on the wheel, their eyes stuck to their surroundings and not their mobile phones. In fact, we sort of have to believe it, or we would never want to leave our houses again. Unfortunately, a good number of people operating the cars, trucks, motorcycles, and any other name for speedy wheels are about as bright as a box of dirt and often are about as careful.
So err on the smart side. You should always run a driver’s background check.
What is a Driving Background Check–
A lot of people imagine slipping some crisp bills into the hands of some shady characters with misspelled tattoos when they think of background checks. It’s a far more straightforward process and less back alley-ish than most folks realize.
Other names for a driving background check include driving records check, driver’s license verification, and motor vehicle report (or MVR). The laws surrounding accessing driving background checks and the kind of information such an audit can pull and verify vary from area to area. Generally, it will show you a list of accident reports, traffic violations, any vehicular crimes, any time the license has been suspended and for what offense as well as the person’s driving record points.
Not Everyone Sucks at Driving (but Most Do)
Let’s face it. People get their licenses as teenagers, and that’s usually the last time they ever have to answer to someone for how they navigate a few tons of speedy steel. Most people pass their driving test by a narrow enough margin that it is pretty apparent why they drive the way they do. Running a background check allows you to find out just how tight of a margin they passed by as it is often a pretty telltale sign by their record.
You Never Know How Much Money You Could Make
Maybe this person is wanted by the law somewhere. Wouldn’t it be nice to claim the reward money for finding them? Sure, the chances are slim. But why leave a potentially fat wad of cash on the table for doing a good deed? Good Samaritans have to eat, right?
It is CYA — Covering Your Assets
It is sensible to create a safe environment for everybody you work with or works for you. It is legally required in most places. It is also just common sense. Do you want to hire someone to drive your rig and find out they were once cited for backing over their coworkers? What if the worst happens and you find out too late? Your now-squished employee is going to have a field day with you in court for being negligent. Don’t be that guy. Get a driver background check, and save your finances in the long run.
In the end, there are more great reasons to run a driving background check than to not. It will always be worth your time to find out if the person you are thinking of hiring to drive sucks at it.