If you are interested in becoming a trucker, it is highly likely that you’ve heard of the DAC report. It’s a report that most trucking companies utilize during the hiring process. Essentially, the report is an in-depth job application that reveals everything your potential employer should know about your trucking and driving history.
So, do all trucking companies use the DAC report? The short answer is no. Not all trucking companies use the DAC report.
However, while a company’s involvement with DAC is entirely voluntary, about 90% of trucking companies use it. It’s going to be difficult if you’re a trucker and would rather not use the DAC report. Read on to find out more about the DAC, what a DAC report is, and why all trucking companies do not use it.
What is a DAC Report?
A DAC (Drive-A-Check) report is a report that most trucking companies pull and view when hiring a new driver. In Patrick Netzel’s article, “What is a DAC Report and How Will it Affect Your Job Opportunities,” Netzel refers to the DAC report as “the credit report of the trucking world.” It contains a wealth of information about your driving history with excruciating detail.
The main reason these reports exist is to make sure that truckers do not lie on their job applications. Once your application gets reviewed, the trucking companies that implement this system send it to a company called HireRight. This private company is responsible for reviewing the information and making sure you’re telling the truth.
DAC reports are taken seriously, and any information that you may have lied about will almost certainly exclude you from further consideration from the job.
It all comes down to what the company’s philosophy is and how they want their relationship with their truckers to be. Most truckers accept that a DAC report is going to be part of the job when they fill out a new job application. However, there are a few out there that don’t like the fact that their job history is being tracked so intimately.
Who Gathers the Information for the DAC Report?
The responsibility of pulling every truckers’ information for DAC reports belongs to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). This is a program whose sole purpose is to collect safety data from many sources and compile it all in one place. If you have any questions or concerns about a trucker’s safety record or you want to gather data about a particular trucking company, this is the system that you will work with.
MCMIS draws this information from a ton of different places from around the nation. Trucking companies gather localized data, and then the MCMIS contacts these remote offices and requests information. The MCMIS is extremely important, and the DAC report owes its continued success and support to this system.
How Often are DAC Reports Updated?
If need be, DAC reports are available once a year. So, every year your report will be updated with any pertinent information. However, most trucking companies don’t need multiple DAC reports. They mainly use it in the early stages of hiring someone.
Who is the Company Behind These DAC Reports?
HireRight is the company responsible for the DAC reports. They create the reports; however, since they’re a private company, not every trucking company has to use the reports. More often than not, though, trucking companies will use these DAC reports to screen their prospective employees and make sure that all of their information is correct.
If your trucking and driving record is clean, then you have nothing to worry about and should not dread your potential employer gaining access to your DAC report.
What Information is Included in a DAC Report?
The information included in a DAC report is:
- License number and information including restrictions and endorsements
It contains the license number for the trucker. It also provides information about trucker restrictions and endorsements dealing with the kind of freight they can haul. Your license number and endorsements are what show the employer what you can drive.
- Employment Record
Like an employment record in any field, this follows who you’ve worked for and how long you worked there for the last ten years. This is a significant spot on the DAC since your employment record showcases what you’ve done in the past. Whether it’s spotless or has blemishes, everything is included in this portion of the report.
- Period of Driver Service
Again, this reflects your job history and how long you’ve been a trucker. It’s similar to the employment record, but it shows explicitly how long you’ve been a trucker and who you worked for. You can think of it as a more detailed version of your employment record.
- Reason for Leaving
Like other places of employment, they will want to know why you left your last job. Many companies have this section on application forms. Your reason for leaving may very well affect the position you can get.
- Name and Address of Contributing Company
This is both the name and address of the company pulling the information. It’s on the report to provide clarity and is more of a formality than anything else.
- Driver Identification
This includes the driver’s Social Security Number, date of birth, and other identification records. It officially verifies who you are.
- Types of Freight and Trailers Hauled
This portion gives the company insight into the specifics that you’ve hauled for however long you’ve been a trucker. This section also delves into the intricacies of your past deliveries and hammers home how much detail HireRight goes into when gathering this information for the trucking companies.
- Eligibility for Rehire
Do you pass all of the criteria to be rehired? This is a crucial question that you have to ask yourself, and the DAC will surely show it. If you’ve had too many accidents or other infractions, the DAC will give your employer all of the information they need to evaluate you for rehire.
- Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP)
One of the first things reviewed in this section is the last five years of crashes (if any). Typically, trucking companies want truckers with a clean record. However, accidents do happen, and the DAC will give details on the accidents (including whose fault it was). The second portion contains the last three years of road inspection data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS).
- Motor Vehicle Record
This section contains information about accidents, suspensions, insurance claims, etc.
- Criminal Background Check
Almost every job in the U.S. requires one of these. It’s a check done to make sure that the job applicant doesn’t have a criminal record.
- Drug Test Results
These are the results of a test for drugs in your system. If you’re found with drugs in your system, you’ll most likely be denied the job.
The main reason DAC reports exist is to help ensure that trucking companies are hiring experienced, safe drivers. DAC reports are taken seriously, and any information that you may have lied about will almost certainly exclude you from further consideration from the job.
In Conclusion
If you’re a trucker, you’re going to have to become familiar with DAC reports. They will always be around, and you must understand how important they are. For responsible, dependable drivers, a DAC Report is nothing but a showcase of their excellent work. Don’t lie on your job application and know that the DAC is there to make sure everything goes smoothly.
