MVR monitoring is a critical component of a strong fleet safety policy. To ensure they hire the best drivers and know what is happening with current drivers, fleet managers increasingly use telematics systems that offer automated MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) services.
MVR services are important because every fleet’s productivity and efficiency rests on the ability of their fleet drivers. Fleet operations benefit from a system that allows managers to monitor the licenses of their drivers, allowing them to know of any changes to their license status.
Modern telematics solutions give fleet managers the ability to use an automated process to monitor the driver’s licenses of their fleet drivers. These systems use advanced software systems to provide MVR services, ensuring that the process is both accurate and easy to use.
Fleets can find MVR services through telematics providers such as EnVue Telematics, which offers advanced technology that makes operations more efficient in dozens of areas, including tracking driver’s motor vehicle records.
Identifying High-Risk Drivers?
It’s impossible for fleet managers to know everything that happens with their drivers. And, unfortunately, some drivers may not always be forthcoming if they get into a situation that impacts the status of their driver’s licenses.
MVR services conveniently manages these issues. These automated systems track official records on a variety of driver-related issues.
- Moving violations
- Speeding
- A DUI charge
- License suspension, revocation or expiration
Fleets can use these records to make decisions on drivers during the hiring process or to find out when current employees have become high-risk drivers.
The Benefits of MVR Services
Fleet managers need to stay aware of a driver’s MVR information. It’s a critical part of any fleet operation, especially in the area of liability. With automated systems providing easier access to MVR records, fleet managers can more quickly recognize high-risk drivers. In many cases, they can intervene before a crash even occurs by providing training to a driver.
That’s a key benefit for fleets. When a plaintiff holds a driver liable in a crash, the legal action typically finds its way to the company itself, exposing a fleet to potential litigation. That’s because of a part of law known as negligent entrustment.
When it comes to fleets, negligent entrustment refers to entrusting someone with a company vehicle who then is held liable in an incident that leads to injury, suffering, unfair loss, or harm to another person. Negligent entrustment is part of tort law, and in tort law the company that trusted the driver may also be held liable.
Some fleets may reimburse employees for the use of their personal vehicle on the job. Even though the driver is using his own car, that does not grant protection to the company if a crash occurs while the driver is on the job.
The U.S. Department of Transportation advises fleets to check a driver’s MVR record every year. However, many fleets choose to monitor MVR records more closely, sometimes making monthly checks, especially with drivers who have demonstrated a tendency to practice bad driving behaviors.
How MVR Works
Given these issues, it’s easy to see why MVR services have become so important for fleets. Using a modern MVR system, fleet managers have 24/7 access to all drivers’ information. They also receive a notification anytime a new violation occurs or the status of a license changes.
Some MVR services also create a points system that makes it easier to quickly determine how well or poorly drivers are doing. This can help managers know where to direct training efforts, focusing on drivers who most need to improve their performance.
Taking these factors into account, more fleet managers are turning to MVR services. They make the important job of tracking motor vehicle reports related to specific drivers convenient and accurate. They also lower the risk of courts holding fleets liable for the cost associated with a crash involving a fleet driver.
