Selecting Drivers for a Non Emergency Transportation Company

Author: Michael Mellars
Published: 2011/04/28 - Updated: 2026/03/28
Publication Type: Informative

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Key Factors To Consider When Selecting Drivers For Non Emergency Transportation Companies.

Introduction

Key Points To Consider When Selecting Drivers For A Non Emergency Transportation Company.

Main Content

A common point of frustration I hear from owners of Non Emergency Transportation companies is that they put the safety and wellness of their clients in the hands of drivers for whom they have virtually no direct oversight when they are on the road. Oftentimes, owners have no idea that they have a bad driver working for them until something terrible happens, by which time it's too late.

Even good drivers can get into trouble if they don't have any industry experience. Consider the fact that drivers are required to move swiftly through congested areas, oftentimes with deadlines that, if missed, can result in fines.

Their passengers are medically fragile, and just one small fender-bender can be enough to cause significant trauma, or even death. Wheelchairs, are notoriously unstable, especially if they are not properly weighted, and significant injury can occur if they fall over.

For these reasons, many insurance carriers have established minimum eligibility criteria for drivers. These guidelines, although by no means fool proof, do help to eliminate some potentially costly drivers from your hiring pool. Here they are.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Age- No less than 25 years of age
• Experience - A minimum of 5 years US driving experience as well as 2 years of industry experience.
• 12-Month MVR- No more than 2 moving violations in the last twelve months and no more than one preventable DOT recordable loss.
• 36 Month MVR- No more than 2 moving violations and one at-fault accident.

Generally Prohibited Violations

As a general rule, drivers with any of the following violations within the past 36 months will not be considered acceptable by insurance companies and will be excluded.

Insurance companies may even non-renew your whole insurance policy if you have drivers with such violations as:

• Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
• Possession of alcohol or drugs in a motor vehicle
• Refusal to submit under implied consent
• Suspended license (current)
• Operating while suspended
• Felony using a motor vehicle
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer
• Reckless Driving

While these guidelines will not guarantee any degree of success with your drivers, they will certainly help.