Unsafe driving habits can have a lasting impact on your driving record. If you are applying for a new job that requires an MVR, you might be wondering how you can improve your record and increase your chances of employment. Here are some ways that you can improve your motor vehicle report.
What is an MVR?
MVR stands for “motor vehicle record.” An MVR is a background screening that pulls and compiles information about a driver’s history. This information comes from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Secretary of State ( as in MI DMV and Secretary of State are the same entity).
The MVR includes personal information like your name, sex, date of birth, and address. It also provides driver’s license information like your driver’s license number, expiration date, and driver’s license class. Most importantly, it includes information about any driving violations, tickets, fines, suspensions, and criminal convictions you have received in the past, accidents you have been in, and the current status of your license (if your license is active, suspended, or revoked). Your driving record does not include non-moving violations and any non-driving related criminal history you might have.
Each state has slightly different laws limiting how far back your driving record goes in terms of driving history. However, driving records go back between three and five years in most states. More severe infractions, such as at-fault accidents or DUI convictions, could stay on your motor vehicle record for significantly longer. Some states even keep lifetime driving records. However, your recent driving history always has more weight on a driving record than your older driving history, especially if you have had a clean driving record for several recent years.
Why does my MVR matter?
Your current or potential employer might view your MVR to ensure that you have a reliable driving record and safe driving habits if your job requires you to be on the road. If you work in the transportation industry, your employer is required to review your motor vehicle record annually to ensure that you still meet the driver requirements. This includes jobs such as delivery drivers, public transit and bus drivers, emergency vehicle drivers, trucking or freight drivers, and construction drivers.
Employers must ensure that each candidate has a driver’s license that is in good standing, has the right to practice, and hasn’t had a history of reckless or dangerous conduct behind the wheel. By reducing risky drivers, companies may be able to avoid increases in insurance rates. Overall, MVRs allow employers to ensure safe driving habits that protect their company.
Auto insurance companies also use your MVR to determine your insurance rates. If you have a bad driving record, that tells your insurance company that you are prone to accidents or unsafe driving habits. Insurance companies will charge you more on your premium rates if you are a riskier driver.
How can I improve my MVR?
Request a Copy of Your MVR
If you want to improve your driving record, the first thing that you should do is to request a copy of your driving record from your local DMV and ensure that the driving record is accurate. Depending on your state, you may be able to apply for your MVR online or by mail. If you notice any inaccurate information on your record, you should contact the appropriate court and the DMV to correct those entries. Correcting these entries could immediately improve your driving record and eliminate overdue tickets or fines.
Pay Tickets Quick
If you find yourself facing a traffic ticket, take care of it and pay it right away in-person, by mail, online, or by phone. Regardless of how minor or severe your ticket is, make sure you pay it quickly and correctly. Tickets become far worse and more expensive if you don’t pay them on time. Paying them off right away might even help you keep it off of your record.
Fight the Ticket
If you think that you were wrongfully cited, you could try fighting your ticket in court. Most drivers do not fight their traffic tickets, but successfully fighting a ticket could reduce your penalties or dismiss the ticket entirely. If you are thinking about fighting a ticket, consider reaching out to a traffic court representative for legal consultation.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Another way that you can start to clean up your bad driving record is by taking a state-approved defensive driving course. These courses can remove points from your driving record that were issued after a ticket. You can take these classes in person or online. Completing a defensive driving course can be an important first step in cleaning up a bad driving record and showing an employer that you are taking steps towards making safe driving habits. After you complete your defensive driving course, don’t forget to check with your DMV and make sure that the points changes were made to your MVR.
Driving Records Heal with Time
Finally, time can help heal your MVR. Bad driving entries on your record, sometimes including serious infractions like DUIs, can usually fall off of driving records after a period of time as long as you keep your driving record clean. For example, under Michigan law, points remain on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction. It’s very important to keep your record clean moving forward. After a specified amount of time, keeping a clean record can help remove old points from your MVR.
If you’re overwhelmed by your ticket or circumstances have escalated, consider consulting with a traffic court representative to help you get your personal information organized and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
Traffic Court Buddy can help!
At Traffic Buddy, we believe that every individual should have access to legal representation for any traffic-related charges. From tickets to forfeiture of vehicles, we make it our mission to help provide all the facts to help ensure you receive the minimum possible penalties for any alleged infraction. If you need traffic court representation, reach out today!