Driving Records check
Driving Records checks provide insight into a candidate’s driving history and licence status. Information is sourced directly from the relevant state or provincial licensing authority.
In this article
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Details about Driving Records check
- Support regions
- Set up for specific States
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Order this check
- Turnaround time
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Stages of this check
- Candidate experience
- Next steps
Details about Driving Records checks
Driving Records checks help you evaluate whether a candidate meets driving-related job requirements. These checks are sourced directly from the relevant provincial or state licensing authority and may include:
- Driver’s licence class and current status
- Traffic violations or infractions
- Suspensions or cancellations
- Accident history
- Merit or demerit points
| Note: Availability and the level of detail vary by region. Additional government fees may apply depending on the province or state. |
Supported regions
Certn currently supports the following Driving Records check types:
| Type / Region | Description | |
| Canadian Driver’s Abstract |
Provides information from the selected Canadian province. Details may include licence status, driving history, traffic violations, accident involvement, and any merit or demerit points. Note: Availability and report content vary by province and a provincial fee may apply. Driving Records checks are not currently supported in Alberta or Quebec. |
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| Canadian Driver’s Abstract: British Columbia |
When a BC driver’s licence is entered, this region-specific check is automatically triggered. Information is sourced from ICBC and includes a five-year driving history, licence status, violations, and demerit points. Notes: The candidate must follow specific instructions to apply for and send the abstract directly to Certn. A provincial fee may apply. |
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| US Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) |
Displays a candidate’s driving record as maintained by the selected state’s DMV. Results may include licence status, traffic citations, suspensions, and accident history. Note(s): Availability and report content vary by state and a State fee may apply. Driving Records checks are not currently supported in Pennsylvania.
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Note: This list may change as new types are added. Check back for updates.
Set up for specific States
To run US Motor Vehicle Record checks in certain states, credentialing is required:
| Region | Requirements |
| Utah |
Clients must be registered with the DMV. Once registration is confirmed, Certn will update your account to reflect credentialing.
If you are ordering a Driving Records check in Utah for the first time and were not credentialed as part of your onboarding process, please reach out to Support to begin the process. |
| Washington |
Clients must acknowledge state-specific consent requirements by completing an attestation. After this step, Certn will mark your account as credentialed.
If you are ordering a Driving Records check in Washington for the first time and were not credentialed as part of your onboarding process, please reach out to Support to begin the process. |
Order this check
To order a Driving Records check, you must have the candidate’s email address. During the order flow, select Driving Records from the list of available checks and choose whether the check should run in Canada or the US. The exact region is determined based on the candidate’s input during the application. For example, if a candidate enters a driver’s licence from Ontario, their check will be completed using Ontario’s licensing authority.
This check can be added as a standalone check or bundled with packages. For more information on ordering, see our Order checks article.
Turnaround time
Turnaround times vary depending on the region and the licensing authority. Some States/Provinces may return results within 1 hour, while others can take up to 7 to 15 business days
- Canadian Driver’s Abstract: 7-15 business days
- Canadian Driver’s Abstract: British Columbia: 1 business day
- US Motor Vehicle Record (MVR): 7-15 business days
| Note: These are estimates based on typical processing times and are not guaranteed. Delays may occur depending on third-party response times. Some jurisdictions may require additional processing time or charge additional fees. |
Stages of this check
Order
You place an order that includes the Driving Records check.
Application
The candidate receives an email invitation to complete the case, which includes this check.
Processing
Certn retrieves driving record data from the appropriate provincial or state licensing body.
Results
Check results are shared in the client portal and with the candidate through the applicant portal.
Candidate experience
When you order a Driving Records check, the candidate receives an email inviting them to complete an online form. They’ll be asked to provide:
- Consent and authorization
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Current address
- Driving licence details (such as driver’s licence number and issuing province/state)
- Some jurisdictions require manual consent or additional documentation. If additional steps are needed, the candidate will be guided through them during their application.
Next steps
Once the candidate submits their information:
- The check is processed by Certn and data is retrieved from the appropriate authority.
- You can view the application and the check results in your account (client portal).
Learn more about managing your cases in the Manage your cases Help article.