Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) in the NEMT Industry

Drivers are the backbone of any Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) operation. They provide the all-important service of safe patient transport, and the NEMT provider’s reputation rests in its drivers’ hands. 

Driver performance directly impacts the company’s schedule and even dictates fuel costs and maintenance charges. Given the critical role that drivers play, NEMT businesses are understandably very selective when hiring NEMT drivers for the position. 

NEMT drivers must pass a stringent background check. One of the first things that NEMT providers look into is an applicant’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). 

This article will simplify what MVR means and its significance in hiring in the NEMT industry.

Contents:

• Understanding the Role of MVR in NEMT
• Best Practices for Optimizing NEMT Operations
• Next-Generation MVR Documentation for NEMT
• Why NEMT companies should conduct MVR checks

Understanding the Role of MVR in NEMT

As providers of transportation services, NEMT companies must ensure the safety of passengers at all times. A vital element of this is only hiring drivers with a history of safe driving. NEMT fleets must always follow traffic laws. 

One way of finding suitable candidates is by checking their MVR.

What is MVR?

An MVR contains information about an individual’s driving history. It is usually drawn from a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

Not every state includes the same information, but an MVR generally contains the following:

• License information
• List of traffic violations
• License status
• Convictions related to traffic incidents
• Accidents

In the NEMT industry, MVR background checks can also include information like insurance validity and special certifications. 

Checking the MVR of potential hires is a way for the Human Resources department to identify suitable drivers for an NEMT provider.

Benefits of MVR Background Checks

• Allows for an in-depth look at drivers’ history
• Regular checks ensure drivers comply with safety regulations
• Reduces liabilities for the NEMT provider
• Mitigates risks while transporting patients

Challenges of MVR Background Checks

• There is no national MVR database
• DMVs in different states set limits on how far back an MVR report goes
• MVRs are consumer reports and are subject to regulations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Employers must disclose their intent to order MVR background checks

Best Practices for Optimizing NEMT Operations

Conducting MVR checks is only one of the requirements of running an NEMT service. Business owners need to adopt a three-dimensional approach to improving their operations, even beyond conducting background checks on drivers. 

As the market for NEMT providers expands, their business practices will be under scrutiny. 

The NEMT industry is set for continued growth over the next five years. An NEMT Market Forecast predicted a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.1% for the sector from 2022 to 2028. It is expected to be worth over $15 billion at the end of this period. 

In the same report, it was found that private pay patient transportation accounted for more than half of the total NEMT market share. 

With more growth within this segment expected over the coming years, NEMT providers must distinguish themselves from the competition. They can do so by adopting these best practices:

• Collect and analyze data

Efficiently recording data and using it to gain actionable insights is crucial to success in the NEMT industry. Companies can identify weaknesses in their operations and take advantage of opportunities for cost savings. 

Through data analysis, NEMT providers can develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that better serve the needs of the company and its clients.

• Perform inspections

Regular inspections of all medical support equipment and passenger vehicles are a must for NEMT providers. Because these companies are in the business of providing a greater level of care than regular transportation options, there is no room for cutting corners for safety inspections. 

Carrying out regular inspections ensures that all vehicles meet standards set by the American Disability Association (ADA). Additionally, equipment will not malfunction and endanger the patients. Vehicles must also be regularly checked for roadworthiness.

• Manage drivers

Drivers are a customer’s point-of-contact with their NEMT provider. Bad drivers can lead to bad reviews for a company. Therefore, driver management must be a key priority for their continued success. 

Complying with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for driver qualifications is a must. NEMT drivers must also hold Passenger Assistance, Safety, and Sensitivity (PASS) Certification, pass a background check, and, of course, share their MVR.

• Adopt the latest industry trends

The NEMT industry is going to be forever altered by technology. As the sector grows, so does the need for future-oriented solutions. Embracing the power of technology by utilizing software solutions helps NEMT providers deliver better services in a more efficient manner. 

Everything from driver details, upcoming patient appointments, employee certifications, and insurance information can be accessed and managed through an all-encompassing NEMT software solution.

Next-Generation MVR Documentation for NEMT

It’s clear that MVR checks are essential to running a successful NEMT business. To that end, companies need to find ways to make the process more streamlined and efficient.

Using software solutions to manage driver documentation reduces the potential for fraud, incomplete records, and expired certifications. NEMT software providers like RouteGenie give NEMT companies a means to monitor drivers’ performance while also tracking their licenses, permits, training, certifications, and MVR, you get reminders when something is about to expire, so you have time to run another background check or renew license.

Measuring the impact of MVR on NEMT performance

Using NEMT technology gives companies a competitive advantage in a growing market. It’s a modern solution for a changing field. But there is still a need for reliable, qualified drivers. In this scenario, MVR checks help NEMT providers ensure their drivers are going to be up to the challenge. 

These are a few areas in which NEMT performance is positively affected by MVR checks:

• Hiring practices

Because an MVR provides an overview of a candidate’s driving history, it can weed out those who would not meet the qualifications of an NEMT driver. Requesting an MVR from interested candidates streamlines the hiring process for the HR department.

• Risk reduction

Accessing potential drivers’ MVRs reduces the risk for NEMT companies. And by requiring annual MVRs from their drivers, transport providers can easily track driver performance. Any violations committed while working for an NEMT company will appear on an MVR.

• Insurance validity

The NEMT industry requires that its drivers are all fully insured, with a policy that does not exempt carrying passengers. A valid insurance policy requires the submission of MVRs for all drivers.

A comprehensive documentation system for driver MVRs enables NEMT providers to verify that their drivers are eligible for insurance.

• Driver analysis

MVRs provide an overview of a person’s driving record. They also help create a thorough employee profile for that driver. 

Software designed to analyze driver profiles can then use data from their MVR to optimize scheduling and routes. Technology enables NEMT providers to match their drivers with the right patients and helps plan the most efficient routes for them to take.

Why NEMT companies should conduct MVR checks

Two qualities that every NEMT driver must have are reliability and responsibility. Mandating MVR checks for all potential drivers protects the interests of the patients and the company. As the NEMT industry continues to grow, MVR checks will become an essential practice for companies looking to grow along with it.

Because it is an industry focused on passenger safety, MVRs for NEMT drivers are indispensable in creating the ideal environment. It is among the most critical requirements for the job, along with a valid license and insurance coverage.

Robust NEMT management software can simplify the process of tracking and storing employee data, as well as setting up an annual MVR gathering plan. All-in-one NEMT solutions like RouteGenie make non-emergency medical transportation driver management a seamless, efficient operation