What Is The Driver Qualification File?

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations each employer of an interstate truck driver must maintain a driver qualification file for each driver.  If you have been injured due to the negligence of an 18-wheeler, it is very important that your lawyer or attorney obtain a complete copy of the driver qualification file for the driver that caused your injury.  Under the FMCS Regulations, the driver file must contain the employment history, medical history, education and training records as well as a certificate of road test and a record of contact to prior employers.

Very often the driver qualification file can provide important information to help prove that the truck driver that caused your injury was not qualified as a driver at the time of your accident.  Not only can you prove that the driver was not qualified, but the information in his driver qualification file may lead to a strong negligent hiring or negligent entrustment claim against the driver’s employer.

If you have been involved in a truck accident caused by the driver of an 18‑wheeler, it is important for your lawyer or attorney to obtain the driver qualification file required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  This information can often support or even prove your claim of negligence against the truck driver and his employer.