Driver Record Reviews
Driver Record Reviews: Protecting Your Organization on the Road
Does your organization have volunteers or members who drive on its behalf? If so, a driver record review — also called a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check — is an essential part of your screening program. Many organizations overlook this check entirely, assuming it’s only relevant for commercial drivers or paid employees. That assumption can be costly.
Any time a volunteer or member drives other members, transports youth, operates a vehicle at an event, or uses their personal vehicle for organizational purposes, your organization may carry liability for their driving history. A driver record review helps you identify risk before it becomes an incident.
What Is a Driver Record Review?
A driver record review (MVR check) is a search of an individual’s official driving history through state motor vehicle records. It provides a comprehensive picture of their driving behavior and license status:
- License Status Verification — Confirms the individual holds a valid, active driver’s license
- Violation History — Identifies moving violations, speeding tickets, reckless driving citations, and other infractions
- DUI / DWI History — Flags any history of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Accident History — Reviews at-fault accidents reported to the state
- License Suspensions or Revocations — Identifies any past or current suspensions, revocations, or restrictions
Real-World Example: A Church Van Ministry
A church operated a van ministry that transported elderly members to Sunday services and medical appointments. Drivers were longtime church members who volunteered their time. No driving record checks were ever conducted — it simply hadn’t occurred to the church leadership that it was necessary for volunteers.
One driver had two prior DUI convictions and a suspended license that had been reinstated. He was involved in an accident while transporting three elderly members. Two were injured. The church’s insurance carrier denied the claim, citing the driver’s undisclosed driving history and the church’s failure to conduct any form of driver vetting. The church faced significant legal and financial exposure.
A driver record review, conducted before the volunteer began driving, would have revealed the DUI history and triggered the church’s screening policy — preventing the assignment entirely.
Real-World Example: A Youth Sports League Road Trip
A youth basketball league organized a tournament road trip, with parent volunteers driving players in personal vehicles. The league assumed that because the drivers were parents — not paid staff — no screening was required. One parent volunteer had a recent reckless driving citation and a history of speeding violations. During the trip, he was involved in a minor accident. No one was seriously injured, but the league faced questions from other parents about their vetting process — and discovered they had no policy in place.
Driver record reviews for all volunteer drivers would have given the league the information needed to make an informed decision about who should be behind the wheel.
Who Needs Driver Record Reviews?
- Churches with van ministries, shuttle programs, or volunteer drivers
- Youth organizations with volunteers who transport children to events, camps, or activities
- Sports leagues with parent or volunteer drivers for away games and tournaments
- Nonprofits with volunteers who use personal or organizational vehicles for program delivery
- Fraternities and sororities with designated drivers for chapter events
- Any organization where volunteers or members drive on behalf of the group
How the Process Works
- Your organization identifies roles that require driving on behalf of the organization
- Volunteers or members in those roles are invited to complete a driver record review through your Membership Integrity portal
- Membership Integrity searches state motor vehicle records for the individual’s driving history
- Results are returned to your dashboard, typically within 1–2 business days
- Your administrators review results and apply your organization’s driver eligibility policy