If a job involves driving a company vehicle, transporting customers, making deliveries or operating equipment on public roads, an Ontario employer may ask you to provide a driving record. The request is often described as a driver abstract, but it is worth confirming exactly which record the employer wants before you order.
This guide explains the role of a driver abstract in the hiring process, what Ontario’s common 3-year driver record contains, and how job applicants can avoid ordering the wrong document.
Why do employers ask for a driver abstract?
For driving-related positions, an employer may use a driving record as one part of its hiring or risk-management process. The Government of Ontario lists employment as a common reason someone may need a driver record.
The record can help an employer verify information relevant to driving, such as your licence class and current licence status. Depending on the record requested, it may also show recent convictions, suspensions or demerit information.
A driver abstract does not replace an employer’s own hiring standards, background checks or qualification requirements. Different employers can have different policies, so a particular item on a record does not automatically mean that a candidate will or will not qualify for a job.
What is on Ontario’s 3-year driver record?
Ontario’s common 3-year driver record includes driver identification details such as the name shown on the licence, licence number, date of birth, licence class, expiry date and licence status. It also includes the demerit point total and certain convictions, suspensions and reinstatements from the previous three years.
The 3-year record does not include the driver’s residential address or Ontario beginner driver education course completion.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide to what shows up on a 3-year Ontario driver abstract.
Is a 3-year driver abstract always the right employment record?
No. Although Ontario identifies the 3-year driver record as the most common record used for employment purposes, an employer may request something else. For example, a commercial-driving position may involve a request for a CVOR Driver Abstract, while another organization may ask for a longer-term record.
Before ordering, look at the exact wording in the job posting, onboarding instructions or email from the employer. If it simply says “driver abstract” and does not identify the record type, ask the employer which document it accepts.
Certified or uncertified?
Ontario offers both certified and uncertified driving records. The provincial guidance says uncertified records meet most people’s needs, while certified records include an official seal and are typically required for legal reasons.
That does not mean every employer has the same requirement. If your employer specifically asks for a certified copy, do not assume an uncertified copy will be accepted. Our certified vs. uncertified driver abstract guide explains the distinction.
What should you check before submitting your record?
First, make sure you ordered the record type the employer requested. Then review the document for the basic identifying details and confirm you are submitting it through the employer’s approved method. A driving record contains personal information, so avoid sending it to an unverified email address or uploading it to an unfamiliar website simply because someone claims to represent an employer.
It is also useful to pay attention to how recent the employer expects the document to be. Some organizations may set their own recency requirements for hiring files.
What if the job involves commercial driving?
A standard 3-year driver record and a CVOR Driver Abstract are different records. Ontario describes the CVOR Driver Abstract as a five-year record relating to a driver’s commercial-vehicle activity in Ontario, including specified collisions, safety-related offences, convictions and inspections.
If you are applying for a truck, bus or other commercial-driving role, confirm whether the employer wants the standard driver record, a CVOR Driver Abstract, or both. See our comparison of an Ontario Driver Abstract vs. CVOR Driver Abstract.
Ordering the right document
The simplest rule is to match the document to the request. If an employer asks for a 3-year Ontario driver abstract, you can review our Driver Abstract service page. If the request is unclear, confirm the record type before paying for anything.
GetMyAbstract.ca is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Government of Ontario, ServiceOntario or the Ministry of Transportation.