What does 49 CFR 383.35 (Notification of previous employment) require?

Short answer

49 CFR 383.35 requires applicants for employment as commercial motor vehicle operators to provide their employment history for the previous 10 years, including names and addresses of previous employers, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving. Employers must request this information and may require additional information.

The rule says

"The following employment history information for the 10 years preceding the date the application is submitted shall be presented to the prospective employer by the applicant: (1) A list of the names and addresses of the applicant's previous employers for which the applicant was an operator of a commercial motor vehicle; (2) The dates the applicant was employed by these employers; and (3) The reason for leaving such employment." (49 CFR 383.35(c))

In plain English

This rule is about making sure commercial motor vehicle operators are honest about their work history. Applicants need to give their potential employer a list of previous employers, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving. This helps employers make informed decisions about who to hire and ensures that drivers are qualified and safe on the road. Employers must ask for this information and can ask for more if they need it.

What to do

• Request employment history information from all applicants for commercial motor vehicle operator positions
• Verify the information provided by applicants
• Keep records of the information provided by applicants
• Consider requiring additional information from applicants if necessary