Background Check Case Study
Recruitment is an ongoing challenge for DSPs as Delivery Associates often leave, are terminated, or fail to show up. Maintaining a year-round recruitment pipeline is crucial to keeping routes covered.
Before hiring, candidates must pass a background check, including Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs). Amazon provides two options: Checkr and Accurate, along with a set number of annual “credits” to offset costs. Once credits are exhausted, DSPs bear the expense, which can exceed $30,000 annually*—especially during PEAK recruiting months (September–December).
Submitting all candidates for background checks is costly, but running your own MVRs first can reduce these expenses. By screening for safe drivers upfront, you can avoid submitting risky candidates, saving time and money. Hiring safer drivers also reduces accidents, vehicle damage, and long-term safety-related costs.
A Real-World Example of Cost Savings Through Proactive MVR Screening
In preparation for 2023 PEAK season, ZENA incurred the following costs with Accurate after exhausting our Amazon “credits”:
September: $2,118
October: $7,862
November: $11,818
December: $14,552
Total: $36,351
PEAK Season Hindsight:
If ZENA had run MVRs on all potential PEAK candidates before submitting them for Accurate background checks, we could have saved over $10,000. Here’s the math:
Total Accurate Costs (Sept–Dec): $36,351
Estimate of 30% of potential candidates identified as Risky Drivers through MVR
30% of $36,351 = $10,905 in Estimated PEAK costs savings
Year-round Hindsight:
Furthermore, had we implemented MVR screenings year-round, we wouldn’t have exhausted our Amazon “credits,” avoiding over $36,000 in PEAK background check costs!
Why MVR Monitoring Matters:
MVR Monitoring, part of our SmartRisk Solutions™, allows you to screen for safe driving candidates prior to submission for background checks. These MVR costs are a fraction of the cost of traditional background checks. This proactive approach helps you:
Save significant money — throughout the year and especially during PEAK
Hire safer drivers — less accidents, less repairs, less workers’ comp, less headaches!
Operate a more efficient DSP — safer team and cost savings
*Disclaimer:
Accurate’s fees vary by state. ZENA’s costs are based on operations in New York, where Checkr is unavailable. Costs will vary based on a DSP’s location and number of candidates for year-round and PEAK recruiting & hiring. Significant savings can be achieved by proactively monitoring MVRs to screen candidates before running background checks.