When Your DAC Report Does Not Show Employment History

Should You be Worried If You Have
Employment That Does not Show On Your DAC Report?

Every day we talk with truck drivers who are worried about their DAC Report.  Often, it's not that the report contained incorrect information, but that the DAC Report didn't show their previous employer(s).    Sometimes their DAC Report didn't show any previous employment, even though the driver had worked for several companies. 

When someone subscribes to our FreeWayNews e-mail newsletter, they automatically receive "Understanding Your DAC Report", which addresses many of the potential problems that can occur on a DAC Report, and also suggests resolutions for correcting errors and inaccuracies.

What's on My DAC?

One of the biggest worries otr drivers have is that they are now looking for another driving job and can't remember the details of their previous employment history.  And the trucking industry can be very sticky when it comes to verifying previous employment.  So, it can be a concern when a driver wants to be certain that employment applications they are getting ready to submit contain accurate information that is in agreement with what any trucking company that uses DAC Reports would receive.

If you are looking for a truck driving job, or even just thinking about looking for a job, getting your DAC Report (along with your MVR, CSA PSP report and other information) is a good idea.  Many of the larger companies do use DAC Reports and an employer that shows up on the DAC Report but does not appear on your application, or a period of unemployment with dates that differ, can hurt your chances for the job you want. 

On the other hand, there are thousands of trucking companies that do not use DAC Reports, so if you are employed by one of these companies, that employment will not show up on your DC.

Should You Be Worried?

No, not really.  On one hand, it might be bad news because you can't see what is being reported about you so you can't verify if everything is correct.  On the other hand, a potential employer will do employment verification by using the information you provide on your employment application and contacting the past employers directly.

Potential employers of commercial truck drivers must ask for 10 years of employment history and they must verify all driving employment within that time.  In addition, they must verify all employment of the past three years regardless of whether or not it was a driving job.

After 10 Years .... After 3 Years

It's important to keep in mind that no employer information will be on your DAC Report if it is older than 10 years.  In fact, only the past 7 years of employment information on a DAC Report may contain "good/bad" information; for example, it cannot include accident/reason for leaving/eligibility for rehire information.  Other information, such as DOT Drug and Alcohol testing information will fall off the DAC Report after 3 years.

One reason that a period of employment will not show up on a DAC Report is if you are still employed by the company.  As an example, let's say you have been working for a company for 6 years and you are still employed, but are thinking about switching driving jobs.  If you obtain your DAC report, the past 6 years of employment with this company will not yet appear on your DAC Report.  Only if and when you terminate your employment with that company will that information be reported, assuming the employer uses DAC.

Employment that does not appear on your DAC Report simply means that potential employers must verify previous employment using other means.  And, it does not mean that there is no way to find out what past employers are reporting.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations spell out your rights to review that information directly from the prospective motor carrier after you apply:  http://www.dotjobhistory.com/articles/NOT_on_your_DAC_Report.asp or http://www.dotjobhistory.com/ can help if yu want to find out before you apply for a job.

Also keep in mind that some employment periods not showing on your DAC is the norm rather than the exception and is not something about which you should be overly concerned.