Driving Records – What They Mean to You

Posted by Kim on Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at 8:34 am

You probably don’t think about driving records very often.  However, there are a myriad of reasons why you should give them more thought.  No matter what your situation, driving records are important.  If you own a business, it is critical to consider the driving records of your current and future employees.  Perhaps you don’t own a business but you employ a nanny, babysitter or caregiver.  Even if neither of these scenarios is applicable, you should consider your own personal driving record.

Why Obtain Employee Driver Records?

If you own or run a business, you need to ensure the company is not held liable for any auto accidents that involve employees running an errand.   You may think it doesn’t matter unless the employee is using a company vehicle.  This is not the case.  Even if the employee is using a personal vehicle, as long as he or she is doing work for the company, you can be held liable.  Hiring someone with a bad driving record puts your company at further risk.

Keep your reputation in sterling condition by knowing the driving history of your employees.  And, you certainly should check the driving history of any potential new hires.  Why bring on someone who has a history of unsafe and incorrect driving practices?  You want your customers to trust and value your business practices.  If this isn’t reason enough, consider the potential increases to your insurance premiums.  

Keeping Your Family Safe

If you employ a babysitter or nanny who drives your children to and from school or activities, you may be putting your precious cargo in harm’s way.   Check the driving records of current and potential nannies and babysitters.  Again, whether this person uses your car or their own, you want your children to be safe.  If he or she uses your car, then you have further reason to exercise caution.  You don’t want your insurance premiums to increase through no fault of your own.

Another employee you should consider taking a peek at the driving record of is a caregiver, nurse or other contracted person who drives any family member to doctor appointments, shopping, etc.   This is often the most overlooked driving record.  Somehow we tend to feel that someone in the medical field is above reproach.  Be alert and protect your family.

Check Your Own Driving Record

Have you ever felt like your auto insurance premiums are higher than they should be?  Are you aware that errors on your driving record could account for the high premiums?  These mistakes are often undiscovered and can amount to significant increases in your insurance premiums.  It would be prudent to check your own driving record if you feel something may be amiss.

Think it can’t happen?  Sorry to say it happens fairly frequently.  For example, let’s say you completed traffic school to erase a traffic violation.  You completed the course successfully, yet the violation still shows up on your record.   Mistakes on driving records can occur due to a simple human error.  The process to apply for a copy of your own driving record is fairly easy and typically you can do it online.

Not sure where to start looking for driving records?  Net Detective has a list of every state’s central DMV website.  Start there:

https://orders3.netdetective.net/ndps10/order.php

Tags: Background Check, background search, Driving records
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