The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) regulates, in part, a third-party’s ability to obtain or share “consumer report” information on private individuals. The term “consumer report” is broadly defined, and includes such information as Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs).
The Act requires that any party requesting consumer report information on an individual must first obtain the written permission of that individual. This includes employers or insurance agents acting on behalf of employers, who want to obtain MVR information for the purposes of hiring promoting, and/or terminating employees. Failure of a third party to obtain prior written permission of an individual before ordering such information may result in fines, damages and/or criminal prosecution against the third party.