Emergency Services Insurance Program
SAMPLE POLICY
(Organization)
MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD (MVR) POLICY
It is widely known in the risk management industry that motor vehicle reports (MVR), which detail a driver’s past performance, provide a useful means of predicting future driving performance. Many industries are required by law to check the driving record of their drivers. While we are not required by law to perform this review, studies have shown that this is a valid source of determining driving behaviors and performance.
In addition, if a department vehicle is involved in an accident and the driver has a poor record, legal defense becomes difficult, no matter who is actually at fault, and the resulting publicity will reflect poorly upon this organization.
It therefore shall be the policy of this department that every member who may drive departmental vehicles in the course of their duties, maintain a motor vehicle record (MVR) meeting the requirements set forth in the table below.
It shall be the duty of the member to notify their superiors of any of the following changes in their status:
- Suspended or revoked license
- Change from Acceptable status to Borderline or Poor
- Change from Borderline to Poor
The standards for MVR’s are as follows:
- All operators must be at least 18 years of age and have a current valid driver’s license.
- No member may be added to the driver’s list with a “Borderline” or “Poor” MVR graded by the table below as minimum requirements.
- Any driver whose grading falls into the “Borderline” category must have their driving record reviewed by an officer or board set up for such reviews.
- No one whose MVR grading is “Poor” may drive a department vehicle.
Any exceptions to these guidelines must be referred to senior staff officers for approval.
Number of
Violations Number of At-Fault Accidents (Last three Years)
(Last 3 Years) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
0 | Clear | Acceptable | Borderline | Poor |
1 | Acceptable | Acceptable | Borderline | Poor |
2 | Acceptable | Borderline | Poor | Poor |
3 | Borderline | Poor | Poor | Poor |
4 | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor |
Any Major Violation | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor |
Major Violations:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Failure to stop/report an accident
- Reckless driving/speeding contest
- Driving while impaired
- Homicide, manslaughter or assault arising out the use of a vehicle
- Making a false accident report
- Driving with a suspended/revoked license
- Attempting to elude a police officer
Minor Violations: Any moving violation other than a major violation including:
- Speeding
- Failure to obey a traffic control device
- Driving with a suspended/revoked registration
- Driving an unregistered vehicle
The following will not count against the driver as a violation:
- Motor vehicle equipment, load or size requirements
- Improper failure to display license plates
- Failure to sign or display registration
- Failure to have driver’s license in possession (if valid license exists)
- A minor violation in which the driver has been charged with an accident
Since breach of this policy could place members and civilian motorists in danger, any member in violation of these procedures shall be subject to departmental action which could result in temporary or permanent loss of department vehicle driving privileges, suspension, or expulsion.
For further information on this policy or any policy or training related to the operation of emergency vehicles, please contact the Loss Control Services Division of ESIP.
Emergency Services Insurance Program
P.O. Box 5670 Cortland, NY 13045
800-822-3747