Last Updated: April 9, 2025
Every organization that employs drivers must ensure that they are hiring qualified and safe motor vehicle operators. Fortunately, there are several methods to obtain this information, one of which is the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). A CDLIS report assists in confirming that your drivers possess the appropriate licenses and are safe operators, thereby helping you maintain compliance with both state and federal regulations.
The Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) is a comprehensive national database that allows State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to verify that each commercial driver possesses a single driver license and maintains a complete driver record.
Through our US Drug Test Centers software, you can run a CDLIS for all new drivers, to ensure that they possess only a single driver’s license and comprehensive driving record, and that they do not maintain any active commercial driver’s licenses or permits in other states.
Hiring qualified commercial drivers is one of the most important responsibilities for motor carriers and employers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). While reviewing a driver's application and state Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) provides valuable information, a Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) report adds another critical layer of verification.
A CDLIS report helps employers verify that a commercial driver has only one valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), confirms the driver's current licensing state, and identifies previous states where the driver has been licensed. This information helps employers comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hiring requirements while reducing the risk of employing drivers with undisclosed licensing issues or incomplete driving histories.
For transportation companies, trucking fleets, bus operators, construction companies, and other businesses that employ CDL drivers, obtaining a CDLIS report should be a standard part of every pre-employment screening process.
The Commercial Driver's License Information System is a nationwide database that allows State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to exchange commercial driver licensing information. The system was developed to help ensure that every commercial driver maintains only one CDL and one complete driving record, regardless of where they have lived or worked.
A CDLIS report may assist employers in identifying:
This information helps employers locate all relevant driving records before making hiring decisions.
A common question employers ask is whether they need both a CDLIS report and a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
The answer is yes.
A CDLIS report is designed to identify where a commercial driver's licensing records exist. It points employers to the appropriate state licensing agencies and helps verify that the driver holds only one commercial driver's license.
An MVR, on the other hand, contains the actual driving history issued by an individual state's licensing authority. It includes information such as traffic violations, license status, suspensions, endorsements, restrictions, convictions, and accidents.
Together, CDLIS and MVR reports provide a more complete picture of a driver's qualifications and driving history, making them valuable tools during the hiring process.
Maintaining accurate Driver Qualification (DQ) Files is an essential responsibility for motor carriers regulated by the FMCSA. While employers must maintain numerous qualification documents, obtaining accurate licensing information is one of the first steps toward building a compliant Driver Qualification File. Federal regulations require motor carriers to investigate a driver's previous employment and obtain driving records from each state where the driver held a license during the required review period. CDLIS helps identify those licensing states so employers know where to request complete records.
Using CDLIS during the hiring process helps employers:
Commercial fleets face increasing regulatory requirements and growing pressure to improve driver safety. Performing CDLIS checks before hiring can provide several important advantages.
Benefits include:
When used alongside Motor Vehicle Records, previous employer safety performance history requests, DOT drug testing, and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse queries, CDLIS reports become part of a comprehensive commercial driver screening program.
Ready to streamline your driver screening? To order CDLIS reports or learn more, call 866-566-0261 or order your test online today!
Although trucking companies rely heavily on CDLIS reports, many industries employ commercial drivers and benefit from verifying CDL information before hiring. Organizations commonly using CDLIS reports include:
Any employer hiring drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles can benefit from adding CDLIS reports to their pre-employment screening process.
US Drug Test Centers provides employers with nationwide compliance solutions designed specifically for transportation companies and businesses employing commercial drivers. Our cloud-based Driver Qualification File management system simplifies compliance by centralizing driver records, tracking required documentation, and helping employers manage ongoing regulatory requirements.
By combining CDLIS reports with Motor Vehicle Records, Driver Qualification File management, DOT drug testing, DOT physical tracking, employment verification, and other compliance services, employers can efficiently manage the entire driver qualification process from a single platform.
Whether you're hiring one commercial driver or managing a nationwide fleet, US Drug Test Centers provides the tools, technology, and compliance support needed to simplify driver qualification and improve operational efficiency.
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