Optimize Your Recruitment Costs
Be Proactive in 2025 with your own MVR Screenings!
Recruitment is a constant challenge for DSPs. Why? Because Delivery Associates frequently leave, are terminated, or fail to show up for work, making it essential to maintain a robust, year-round recruitment pipeline to ensure all routes remain covered. However, hiring new drivers comes with significant costs, particularly during the PEAK recruiting season (September to December).
The Cost of Background Checks
Before hiring, every DA candidate must pass a background check, including a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening. Amazon offers two options for this process: Checkr and Accurate. To help offset costs, Amazon provides DSPs with a set number of annual “credits.” However, once these credits are depleted, DSPs must shoulder the costs themselves. For some, these expenses can exceed $30,000 annually, with the bulk of costs accruing during PEAK season.
Submitting all candidates for full background checks is expensive, especially when many fail due to poor driving histories. Running your own MVRs before submitting candidates for background checks can reduce these expenses significantly. By proactively identifying safer drivers upfront, DSPs can save time and money while reducing accidents, vehicle damage, and long-term safety-related costs.
Real-World Example: ZENA’s PEAK Season Costs
To illustrate the financial impact, here’s what my previous company ZENA, operating in New York, spent with Accurate after exhausting all our Amazon’s credits during the 2023 PEAK season:
September: $2,118
October: $7,862
November: $11,818
December: $14,552
Total: $36,351
By applying a proactive MVR screening strategy, we could have identified risky drivers before submitting them for Accurate background checks. Estimating that 30% of candidates would have been flagged as high-risk through MVRs, we could have saved over $10,000 during PEAK season alone:
Total Accurate Costs (Sept–Dec): $36,351
30% Risky Candidates Identified: $10,905 in Estimated Savings
Year-Round Benefits of Proactive Screening
Proactively running MVRs throughout the year doesn’t just save money during PEAK; it also helps preserve Amazon’s credits, reducing overall annual costs. In my case (ZENA), implementing year-round MVR screenings could have avoided the entire $36,351 in PEAK background check expenses, which could have been applied to other “expenses” or to the bottom line of our company as pure profit. In retrospect, this hurts!
Why MVR Monitoring Matters
MVR monitoring, a key component of GRYPHON’s SmartRisk Solutions™, allows DSPs to screen candidates for safe driving histories before submitting them for more expensive background checks. This proactive approach delivers multiple benefits:
Significant Cost Savings: Reduce recruiting costs (background checks) throughout the year, especially during PEAK season.
Improved Safety: Hire safer drivers, leading to fewer accidents, vehicle repairs, and workers’ compensation claims. A huge savings in rate increases and in the longevity of your business.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Build a safer, more reliable team while reducing recruitment overhead.
Take Control of Your Recruitment Costs
Recruitment is inevitable, but excessive costs don’t have to be. By integrating proactive MVR screening into your hiring process, your DSP can save thousands annually while building a safer, more efficient team. Don’t let recruitment drain your resources—take control with our Motor Vehicle Monitoring service —powered by Embark Safety.
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 candidate volume. Proactive MVR screening can lead to significant savings in recruiting and hiring expenses.
Remember, take control of your risk and be the guardian of your business longevity!
