Former Minister of Communications, Murad Saeed, stated that in Pakistan, a person is killed or severely injured in a road accident every five minutes according to Wikipedia. This data strongly supports the fatalities that result from reckless driving. One of the major reasons behind these statistics is the hiring of unprofessional & untrained drivers, without conducting background checks. 

Background checks are not considered a legal requirement in many industries, however, in the case of the transportation industry, it’s not a formality but a necessity. If a company intends to hire someone to drive behind the wheels, it is bound to fulfill the federal requisition of conducting background checks, along with a series of verifications to ensure that the candidate is fully equipped to work on the road. This is especially true for businesses regulated by the Department of Transportation or DOT. 

Index Risks of Hiring Unqualified or Untrustworthy Individuals in Transportation Importance of Background Checks in the Transportation Industry Criminal History Checks for Transportation Professionals Driving Record Verification: Ensuring Safety on the Roads Drug and Alcohol Testing for Transportation Employees Background Checks for Commercial and Public Transporters: Why it’s Essential Conclusion

Risks of Hiring Unqualified or Untrustworthy Individuals in Transportation

Contrary to people’s understanding, the transportation industry is quiet expansive. In a country like the United States, public transportation alone accounts for more than $75 billion in revenue, compared to US freight transport by truck which nears $ 1 trillion! The transportation industry is very vast, from private limousine companies to school bus drivers to those operating shuttle services to the airport – it encompasses all. In each of these occurrences, those hired to operate motor vehicles bear a monumental responsibility to keep themselves, their passengers and their cargo safe. Hence, to address these concerns, background checks for transportation businesses play a pivotal role. 

Importance of Background Checks in the Transportation Industry 

What if those behind the steering wheel are not as competent as believed? What if these drivers are not only incompetent and harm your reputation but cause casualties too? The importance of background checks in the DOT can’t be negated. 

In the hiring landscape, it rests on the employer’s shoulders to ensure that the person they’re hiring is responsible and can handle all the elements of the job. If the job involves driving a truck that can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, carriers owe their precise care and attention in the matter of the driver selection. 

In a recent incident, a small trucking firm hired an inexperienced mountain driver to haul loads through Colorado. The unfamiliarity and inexperience led to a crash that killed multiple people. The driver ended in receiving a 110-year prison sentence for the driver, later reduced to 10 years. Not only this but, the company faced tens of thousands of dollars in regulatory fines, and the company ultimately went out of business in just five months after the crash! Couldn’t this accident be avoided? What if the company had a stringent policy of background checks before hiring the driver? Thus, background check in the Transportation Industry is a must. 

A background check in the Transportation Industry must include: 

• criminal background checks, 
• state-specific motor vehicle records (MVR), 
• nationwide commercial driver's license (CDL) checks, 
• DOT employer drug and alcohol testing

Criminal History Checks for Transportation Professionals  

Hiring for transportation roles means prioritizing safety and responsibility. But how can companies be sure they’re not putting someone with a dangerous past behind the wheel or in charge of valuable cargo? This is where criminal history checks come into play. Imagine trusting a bus full of passengers to someone with a violent criminal record, or handing over a shipment of expensive goods to an individual with a history of theft. That’s exactly the kind of oversight these checks help prevent. 

Why Criminal History Checks Are Crucial

The transportation industry is unique in that employees are often in unsupervised positions, whether driving long distances or managing goods and people. That’s why digging deep into both local and national criminal records isn’t just important—it’s essential. Criminal checks can reveal everything from violent offenses and DUIs to theft and fraud, making sure that no red flags slip through the cracks. 

According to data, companies that run detailed criminal history checks experience 30% fewer incidents related to employee misconduct. These checks aren’t just about protecting passengers or cargo—they’re about protecting the business from costly mistakes and reputational damage.

Types of Criminal Background Checks

There’s a layered approach to screening potential employees. First, there are local law enforcement records, which can tell employers about offenses committed within a specific jurisdiction. Then, there are national databases like the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), to ensure there aren’t any hidden skeletons in the closet. It’s about casting the broadest net possible so that employers get a complete picture of who they’re hiring.

In an industry where lives and valuable goods are at stake, skipping a criminal history check is like playing roulette with safety. And that’s a gamble no company should be willing to take. 

Driving Record Verification: Ensuring Safety on the Roads

If it's difficult to trust a criminal with a bus full of passengers, imagine trusting an amateur with a heavy, bulky vehicle carrying valuable goods on difficult terrain! That is why, driving record verification is necessary. 

Why Driving Record Verification is Crucial

As per CFR 391.31(e), employers must verify that every driver they employ. Moreover, drivers should maintain their professional files which include most recent road-testing results and DOT certifications. This also includes the specific endorsements on a license, some of which may require periodic re-testing. 

This aspect of a DOT background check is mandatory, as it ensures that a candidate is a professional and can safely handle the company’s vehicles. What if a transportation company has multiple sizes of vehicles? Is it not prudent to make sure that an applicant has the requisite skills and knowledge to pass a road test in the same vehicle that they will be driving? This is why driving record verification is crucial. 

Think of it like trusting someone to fly a plane—no one would hire a pilot without verifying if they’re certified to fly, right? The same principle applies to commercial drivers. Verifying their record ensures they’re not just licensed but qualified to handle the job’s specific demands. 

Drug and Alcohol Testing for Transportation Employees

Another important component of background checks in the transportation industry is drug and alcohol testing. This test isn’t just an option but a mandatory requirement for prospective commercial drivers enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure safety of the public. 

Why Drug and Alcohol Testing is Crucial for Transportation

DOT enforces strict policies for operating a commercial vehicle because when a driver on duty is impaired by drugs or alcohol, it presents significant risks to road safety, the company, and the driver. For example, if a driver is tested positive for cannabis - a prohibited drug, even for medical marijuana users, they will be instantly disqualified from employment and may also result in the temporary suspension of their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). 

In addition, companies must consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which provides a detailed record of any drug or alcohol violations over the past three years. This includes records of any "return to duty" programs completed by drivers after prior violations, giving employers insight into an applicant’s compliance history.

By implementing rigorous drug testing policies, transportation companies can maintain a safe and reliable workforce, protect their assets, and reduce risks on the road. 

Background Checks for Commercial and Public Transporters: Why it’s Essential

Commercial transporters primarily need a strong focus on driving records, as they operate heavy, often long-haul vehicles. On the other hand, public transport drivers are responsible for passenger's safety, which makes criminal history checks more stringent.

Key Screening Components

For commercial transporters, the critical components include:

• Driving record verification: Ensuring drivers can handle oversized or specialized vehicles.
• Drug and alcohol testing: As required by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

For public transport drivers, the focus expands to:

• Criminal background checks: To ensure passengers are safe in the driver’s care.
• Driving record checks: To confirm they have a clean record with no major violations.
  

Conclusion 

Whether it be hiring commercial transporters like truckers and freight drivers or public transport drivers such as bus and taxi drivers, compliance is mandatory. The risks associated with hiring unprofessional drivers are simply too much to bear. Thus, drivers must undergo stringent background checks to eliminate any discrepancies. Check Xperts, a trusted background check company in Pakistan, provides comprehensive background checks for both commercial and public transporters, helping businesses avoid costly mistakes, protect passengers, and maintain safety standards. Contact Check Xperts today to ensure you’re hiring only the best, fully vetted drivers.