Driver Qualification File (DQF) — Keep one for the last 3 years
The FMCSA requires that trucking companies must keep a driver qualification file for every driver. Owner-operators are required to fulfill the requirements of both the employer and carrier.
- Employee application (this must contain the mandatory information).
- Entry level driver training (if required).
- Road Test or equivalent.
- Past employment checked when hired.
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) for every state you held a commercial license or permit.
- MVR for the previous three years.
- MVR Review — Every year you have to review the MVRs and note who did the review and the date, and identify any violations of FMCSA regulations.
- Record of Violations — A list of any violations in the previous 12 months. You need this even if you have no violations (but parking tickets do not have to be included).
- A copy of your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Medical Examiners Certificate (or copy), which is valid for up to 24 months.
- A note verifying that the Medical Examiner was on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners List.
- Negative drug test result.
- Enrolled in a random drug test consortium.
- Registered in the DOT Clearinghouse and have a designated TPA for reporting violations.
MVRcheck.com provides assistance with all of the above information to help owner/operators stay DOT Compliant. We provide a consortium drug testing program and we are registered as a TPA in the Clearinghouse. We also provide an application called DriverManager that will assist owners in maintaining all required DQF files.
