Before a CDL driver can operate a commercial motor vehicle for your company, FMCSA regulation 49 CFR 391.21 requires a completed employment application that captures specific information about the driver's background, experience, and driving record. Here is exactly what that application must contain.
Required information on a driver application
- businessMotor carrier name & addressThe name and address of the motor carrier the driver is applying to.
- personPersonal informationThe applicant's full name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
- homeAddress history (3 years)Every address where the driver has lived during the preceding 3 years.
- badgeDriver's license detailsThe license (or permit) number, the state of issue, and the expiration date for each license currently held.
- work_historyEmployment history (10 years)A complete 10-year employment history for CDL drivers, including the name and address of each employer, dates of employment, reason for leaving, and whether the work was subject to FMCSA or DOT drug & alcohol testing regulations.
- car_crashAccident record (3 years)A list of all motor vehicle accidents the applicant was involved in during the preceding 3 years, including date, nature, and any fatalities or injuries.
- gavelTraffic violations & license actionsAll traffic convictions and forfeitures (other than parking) for the past 3 years, plus any denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, permit, or privilege to drive.
- local_shippingDriving experienceThe classes of vehicles the driver has operated, the type of equipment, and the approximate dates and total time for each.
- drawCertification & signatureA statement, signed and dated by the applicant, certifying that all information provided is true and complete to the best of their knowledge.
Note: This page summarizes 49 CFR 391.21 for general guidance and is not legal advice. Requirements change over time — confirm current rules at fmcsa.dot.gov or with qualified counsel before relying on any application form.
Why a compliant application matters
The employment application is the foundation of the Driver Qualification file. If it is missing required fields, unsigned, or incomplete, the entire DQ file is non-compliant — and that is one of the most frequently cited violations in DOT audits. Capturing the right information the first time, from every driver, saves hours of follow-up and protects your authority. For the full list of documents that accompany the application, see our DOT Driver Qualification File checklist.
Common driver application mistakes found in DOT audits
- No signature or date on the applicant certification.
- Gaps in the employment history, or CDL drivers who list only the last 3 years instead of the commercial driving jobs in the 7 years before that.
- Missing “subject to FMCSRs / drug & alcohol testing” answers for previous employers, which you need for the safety performance history investigation.
- Accidents or violations left blank instead of “none”.
- Outdated forms that don’t ask for every license the driver holds.
How to collect a compliant FMCSA driver application
- Give the driver an application that asks for every item above, on paper (our free truck driver application form) or online.
- Have the driver complete every section, then sign and date the certification.
- Check it for blanks and gaps before you start the background checks: the MVR, the PSP report and the Clearinghouse query.
- File the signed application in the driver’s Driver Qualification file.
Want to see what a completed online application looks like? Open this sample driver application PDF (fictional driver), generated the moment the driver submits.
Frequently asked questions
How many years of employment history does FMCSA require?
For CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles, the application must capture the previous 10 years of employment history. The most recent 3 years are also subject to written safety-performance inquiries to prior DOT-regulated employers.
Does the driver have to sign the application?
Yes. The application is not complete until the driver signs and dates a certification that the information is true and accurate. An unsigned application is a common audit finding.
Is there an official FMCSA driver application form?
No. FMCSA does not publish a mandatory form. 49 CFR 391.21 lists the information the application must contain, and a carrier may use any paper or online form that captures all of it and is signed by the driver.
Does the driver list every employer for the full 10 years?
The application lists all employers for the past 3 years. CDL drivers also list, for the 7 years before that, the employers they drove a commercial motor vehicle for, with dates and reason for leaving.
How long do I keep the driver application?
The application is part of the Driver Qualification file, which you keep for as long as the driver works for you and for 3 years after they leave.
Can drivers complete the FMCSA application online?
Yes. A digital application with an electronic signature satisfies the requirement as long as it captures all required information and the signed record can be reproduced. Online forms also reduce errors and missing fields compared to paper.