Execs See More Demand For Background Checks on CDL Holders

xecutives with several firms that provide electronic background checks of commercial driver license holders and their motor vehicle records said demand for their services is increasing, as carriers try to lessen exposure to legal action, improve security and reduce turnover.

The increased interest in CDL and motor vehicle information led First Advantage, a St. Petersburg, Fla., firm, to offer an Internet-based service that combines the searches of motor vehicle and CDL records into one document as a standard feature, rather than an option, for customers.

With previous systems, a fleet would have to make multiple entries for a single driver if they wanted to retrieve data about driving records, said Greg Conklin, director of sales at First Advantage. In some cases, the search for one driver’s records could take up to 45 minutes to complete, depending on the number of states to search.