Does a Suspended License Show Up on a Background Check? (See Now)

A driver’s license is a crucial form of identification, and many people wonder, “Does a suspended license show up on a background check?” and “What is the background check for driver’s license applicants?”

These are valid questions, but fortunately, anyone can check immediately to see right now what shows up on a background check using free search tools.

This article explains the check system that is performed when someone applies for a driver’s license, as well as the times when a suspended license shows up on a background check.

Jobs that heavily rely on operating vehicles, such as an Uber background check, Lyft background check, and others will naturally check your MVR report for accidents, speeding tickets, and other infractions which might be part of what causes a red flag on a background check.

Keep reading to learn more.

Does a Suspended License Show Up on Background Check Reports? (Does a Background Check Show a Suspended License)

There are several status conditions that can be applied to a person’s driver’s license. Some of the most commonly seen include:²⁵

• Valid
• Pending
• Expired
• Limited
• Suspended
• Revoked

Briefly looking at each of these, a valid license is one that is current and operational with no restrictions. A pending license is one that has been applied for but not yet granted. An expired license is one which was valid but is no longer current and requires renewal. A limited license may be a hardship license, a permit, or otherwise restricted permissions. A revoked license is one which has been canceled indefinitely, removing an individual’s driving privilege.

So what is a suspended license? A suspended license is a step below a revoked license. When a license is suspended, an individual loses their driving privileges for a specified period of time. The individual is not required to surrender the license ID and may apply to reinstate the license after the period of suspension has ended and all fines and requirements have been met.¹Anyone who has questioned “What shows up on a background check?” could be wondering “Does a suspended license show up on a background check?” The answer is that it depends on the type of background check being conducted.

A suspended license is a penalty for a law violation. It is not a violation in and of itself. Therefore, a suspended license does not show up on criminal records, but it is recorded on an individual’s driving history. Thus, a background check that pulls an MVR report will show a suspended license. The following sections look at this in more detail.¹¹

Does A Suspended License Show Up on a Criminal Background Check?

Looking more closely at how a suspended license bears upon a criminal background check, there are a few details to clarify.

Firstly, a suspended license is not a criminal violation and therefore does not show up on a criminal background check as such.

Secondly, a suspended license may be a penalty for a criminal offense, such as driving under the influence (DUI), and this type of criminal offense is classified as a misdemeanor in almost all states and will appear on a criminal record. Thus, crimes associated with the suspended license can appear on criminal background checks conducted within the state’s statute of limitations (usually five to ten years).⁸

Finally, although having a suspended license by itself is not a crime, driving with a suspended license absolutely is a criminal violation and will result in negative marks on both driving records and criminal records.¹⁰

Can an Employer See If Your License Is Suspended?

There is a federal law, the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act,²⁷ which prohibits the release of driving history information to the general public. However, there are many exceptions to this rule, including:

• For federal or state court
• For issues of driver safety
• For research, marketing, and legitimate business activities
• For civil and criminal process
• For insurance

An employer’s right to view a driving record falls under the “legitimate business” category, meaning that yes, an employer can see a suspended license if they order an MVR report as part of the authorized background check process. Note that employers are unlikely to order driving records unless driving is an essential part of the job position.^{11, 23}

How Long Does it Take for a Suspended License To Show Up on Your Record?

A suspended license is a penalty for a law violation, and therefore, it should not show up on a driving record until the violation has been processed and the individual is found guilty of the violation.³In many states, individuals are allotted a thirty-day window to respond to their traffic tickets, either by paying the fine or contesting the ticket in court.²⁰

How Long Does a Suspended License Stay on Your Driving Record?

How long a suspended license remains on an individual’s driving record depends largely upon the severity of the offense and the state of residence. The severity of the offense is important in determining how long the suspension period will be. A suspension can range from a period of around one week to over one year.¹⁶

Furthermore, the state of residence retains the suspension record for a specified period of time after the suspension period has elapsed. In most cases, this period is around three to five years post suspension completion.^{21, 24}

When Does a Suspended License Show Up on a Background Check?

To summarize the above information and answer the question “When does a suspended license show up on a background check?” a three-point review is necessary.

1. A Suspended License Shows Up When a Driving Record Check is Ordered.
2. A Suspended License Shows Up When the Individual Responds to Their Ticket by Paying the Fine or Contacting the Courts.
3. A Suspended License Shows Up for the Length of Time Dictated by the State After the Suspension Period has Ended.

Will Suspended License Affect Background Check?

Knowing that a suspended license only shows up on an MVR report is useful information, but people may also want to know if the suspension is likely to negatively affect their background check. There are certain situations where a suspended license will affect a background check. Some of these include:

• Applying for a driver’s license
• Applying for a commercial driver’s license (see DOT background check)
• Applying for certain jobs
• Retaining certain positions

The next sections look more specifically at how employment can be affected by a suspended license.

When Does a Suspended License Affect Employment?

A suspended license can complicate an individual’s current employment. For example, if an individual works in a job where a valid driver’s license or significant amount of driving is required, a company may exercise their right to fire the person who can no longer fulfill job responsibilities.¹⁷

A suspended license would also carry more weight for individuals in positions of authority, power, or government as these individuals are expected to display the highest standards of integrity and responsibility.

Finally, a suspended license that resulted from criminal activity resulting in a conviction is also tricky. While the suspended license itself isn’t likely to show up on most repeat employment background checks (exception: driving jobs, government jobs), associated criminal misdemeanor or felony certainly will show up and may affect an individual’s employment.

Will A Suspended License Make it Hard to Get a Job?

Aside from current employment, individuals must also consider how a suspended license can affect their ability to get hired. Background checks for hire are some of the most commonly conducted, and any job which requires a substantial amount of driving is likely to require a DMV records check for employment.² Individuals without a license would have a tough time competing with applicants who meet all requirements.¹⁰

Some jobs that will check your driver’s license status include:

• Instacart background check
• Military background check
• Lowes background check (for forklift and other machinery operators)
• Doordash background check
• GrubHub background check
• Postmates background check
• FedEx background check
• UPS background check

Furthermore, a suspended license associated with criminal activity will come to the attention of many employers. In this case, the criminal conviction would most likely be what causes a red flag on a background check. If a license was suspended secondary to a DUI or reckless driving conviction, the criminal record will be pulled even when the suspension itself is not.¹¹

What Is the Background Check for Drivers Licenses?

Many people have wondered about the background check for driver’s licenses. Does the DMV run a background check before issuing licenses, and if so, what kind of background check is it?

In most cases, individuals seeking to obtain a driver’s license or reinstate a license will be required to undergo a background check with the DMV. The DMV background check will look primarily at an individual’s criminal history and driving history to discern whether the individual can be trusted behind the wheel of a vehicle.

This process can help the DMV identify individuals with outstanding warrants, a history of driving without a license or on a suspended/revoked license, or a pattern of irresponsible or criminal behavior.⁷

This is why it is so important that the DMV conducts a background check for driver’s license applicants.

How Long Does a Suspended License Stay on Your Record by State?

The length of time a suspended license remains on an individual’s driving records depends on a few factors:¹³

The Reason for the License Suspension

Various types of law violations can lead to license suspension, and these can range from failure to pay child support to point accumulation from minor traffic infractions to serious traffic offenses such as DUI. More serious offenses lead to a greater suspended license period. Serious violations and repeat violations result in longer suspension times.²¹

The Length of the License Suspension

Building directly upon the previous point, the length of a license suspension is a direct result of violation severity. The length of the suspension is important because a state’s DMV laws for how long a suspension remains on a driving record do not kick in until the suspension period has been completed. Suspension periods can range from several days to several years, and this creates a large range for an appearance on the driving record.^{13, 21}

The State of Residence

The state of residence is a huge factor in determining the length of time a suspended license remains on a driving record, as state laws vary greatly on this point. In most states, the time range is between three and five years, but there are several notable exceptions.^{14, 18} View the table below for each state’s vehicle laws, as well as the time range the laws dictate.¹²

How Long Does a Suspended License Stay on Your Insurance?

It is no surprise that a suspended license on a person’s driving record can drastically impact their insurance premiums. Individuals with a suspended license can expect to see their insurance rates rise by as much as 50%.²⁶ There is a noticeable difference in premium increases between various well-known car insurers. This can sometimes work in the driver’s favor as it allows them to compare rates and shop around.^{21, 24}

Unfortunately, there is not a universal standard for how long a suspended license can impact insurance rates, and policies can differ from company to company. In most cases, a suspended license will affect an individual’s insurance rates for a period of three to five years from the end of the suspension period.²⁶

Learn How To Check If Your Drivers License Is Suspended Online

Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense, and it can carry some pretty hefty penalties. That’s why it’s imperative that drivers stay informed about their driver’s license status.

Wondering if there is an easy way to check for a suspended license online? Fortunately, there are options for individuals who want to look at their personal driving history.

Request The Driving Record Through the DMV

Most states have driving records in the DMV database, which can be accessed online.²²

In the state of Minnesota, an individual can input their driver’s license number on the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services²⁸page to view their license status. Likewise, input identifying information into the Kansas Department of Revenues²⁹ driver’s license status check page to see the status of a Kansas license immediately.

Many other states require drivers to log in or create an account to request driver’s license status or a driving history record (see Commonwealth of Kentucky³⁰ and State of California DMV).³¹ There is typically a small fee to obtain these records.⁹

Order a Driving History Check Through a Trusted Website

Another online option is to order the driving history record through a credible background check company. This is an excellent option for individuals with limited time who are seeking quick results.¹⁰

Most adults are accustomed to carrying and showing their driver’s license for identity verification, driver documentation, and a host of other reasons. Understandably, a suspended license can be a significant source of grief for any driver. Individuals seeking information about a background check for a driver’s license or wondering “Does a suspended license show up on a background check?” can revisit the resources in this article for information and guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Does a Suspended License Show Up on a Background Check