APSCREEN Introduces Service That Protects Employers That
Hire Commercial Drivers
No way to hide previous driving infractions or licenses now, says background
check pioneer.
Rancho
Santa Margarita, CA (
PRWeb)
November 8, 2006 -- Now commercial drivers have no way to hide previous driving
infractions, accidents or back-up driver's licenses thanks to a new service
provided by APSCREEN, the background check pioneer. According to Tom Lawson,
APSCREEN CEO, the new service protects employers that hire drivers or contract
independent drivers and truckers by allowing them to conduct a thorough commercial
driving record background check via the Commercial Driver's License Information
System (CDLIS).
"The new service allows employers to check out their drivers including independently
contracted ones through a search of the CDLIS which is a cooperative exchange
of commercial driver information between jurisdictions nationwide," said Lawson
who is a court-appointed expert on negligent hiring.
According to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA), the basic
purpose of CDLIS is to assure that commercial drivers have only one active driver's
license, one active record and have passed state-sanctioned driving skills tests,
thus helping employers comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA).
Lawson said this new service particularly helps employers who hire independent
contractors who drive buses, service/delivery vehicles or trucks with a new
level of protection. If an employer hires a driver, they are eligible for the
Employers Pull Notice (EPN) program, available in several states which provide
automatic updates at the time of an infraction. When a company contracts with
an independent driver, however, they are not qualified for the EPN program but
must request that the driver provide a K3-style driving record from the DMV.
"Now all drivers are subject to the same pre- and post-employment screening
processes," Lawson said. "This not only protects the employer from unknown risks,
but also other drivers out there on the road like you and me."
The service will be added to APSCREEN's comprehensive background check services
for pre-employment screening. However, employers may also conduct the CDLIS
search frequently to monitor its driver's behaviors after being hired, because
some drivers will try to hide infractions -- or tickets -- from other states
under alias names.
Under APSCREEN's proprietary approach to implementation of this new service,
prospective driver candidates are given ample opportunity to disclose information
about their driving history and licensure which concentrates the focus on integrity
as well as on the substance of discovered record(s). The primary reason for
APSCREEN's omission strategy is the lack of plaintiff cases involving omission-based
elimination of candidacy claims.
"For example, if a driver is contracted for a job in California, the employer
can search the CDLIS prior to hiring and six months down the line," Lawson said.
"This gives a much needed opportunity to determine if a driver has more than
one license and a window into post-employment driving acts which could affect
employer liability."
Employers are subject to a penalty of $10,000 if they knowingly use a driver
to operate a commercial motor vehicle without a valid Commercial Driver's License
(CDL), and untold liability if a driver has been found to have been negligently
hired. Lawson added, "This is yet another tool for the employer's toolbox to
avoid negligent hiring lawsuits and make transport a safer environment for all
motorists."
Founded in 1980, APSCREEN is based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and
is the originator of the factual employment-screening concept. APSCREEN provides
nationwide coverage for businesses seeking the highest caliber, most comprehensive
background checks for pre-employment screening. Thomas Lawson, CEO of APSCREEN
and a Certified Fraud Examiner, authored the Pre-Employment Screening series,
published in The Complete Workplace Violence Prevention Manual, which is used
as the gold standard in Best Hiring Practices. APSCREEN also offers tenant screening
and employee locate services. More information is available by calling toll-free
(800) 277-2733 or register online at
www.APSCREEN.com.
Online Web 2.0 Version
You can read the online version of this press release
here.
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