Reader’s Question:

If a government or private employer requires a clean driving record, how many years should it have been clean? Is it one year? Do they also check the 5-year or even 10-year driving history? I have a 26 year old brother with no accidents in his driving record, except for speeding ticket two years ago. I am wondering if he should give up fire fighter dream, because they require clean driving record.

John

Lafayette, LA

A clean driving record is define as one that is free of moving violations or points and accidents. An insurance provider likes a record that is free of claims as well.

What an employer or insurance companies, etc, considers a bad driving record can differ. A simple speeding ticket for only a few miles over the limit may not affect your insurance rate or be a problem for some employers but others may want a driving history that is completely free of any type of moving infractions or accident, no matter how minor.

Your brother would need to speak to the HR personnel of the job, or in the case of being a fire fighter perhaps the training manager, to find out clarification on what exactly the company, either government, public or state employer, determines “clean driving record” to mean.

Generally, a company will want 3 to 5 years without moving infractions on the person’s record, thus a clean driving history. Many employers also prefer or require ten years with a clean driving history.