What is a Driver Qualification File (DQF)?

A DQF is the set of records a motor carrier must keep for every driver of a commercial motor vehicle, proving the driver is legally and medically qualified. It is required by 49 CFR 391.51.

What must a DQF contain?

The employment application (391.21), prior-employer safety-performance history (391.23), the motor vehicle record and annual review (391.23/391.25), the annual list of violations (391.27), a road-test certificate or CDL copy (391.31/391.33), and the medical examiner's certificate (391.43), plus any medical variance.

How long do I keep a DQF?

Keep the file for as long as the driver is employed and for three years after the driver leaves. Some items, like annual MVRs and reviews, are refreshed every 12 months.

Can I generate a DQF automatically?

Yes. With TRUCKSSISTANCE you store each driver's documents once, then generate a complete DQF — every FMCSA Part 391 form filled in, with copies of the attached documents — in one click.

The Driver Qualification File checklist (49 CFR 391)

Every commercial driver needs a complete DQF — and it's one of the first things a New Entrant audit checks. Here's exactly what belongs in it, when each piece is due, and how long to keep it.

Build a DQF free →

Free to start — generate a full DQF in one click.

What a DQF must contain

Under 49 CFR 391.51, the carrier keeps these records for every driver of a commercial motor vehicle:

Employment application — 3 years of employment history (10 for CMV driving), signed by the driver (391.21).
Safety-performance history — inquiries to all DOT-regulated employers from the past 3 years (391.23).
Motor vehicle record (MVR) at hire — from every state where the driver held a license in the past 3 years (391.23).
Annual MVR + annual review — pulled and formally reviewed every 12 months (391.25).
Annual list of violations — the driver's certified list of traffic convictions (391.27).
Road-test certificate or CDL copy — a road test, or a valid CDL accepted in lieu (391.31 / 391.33).
Medical examiner's certificate — from an examiner on the National Registry; for CDL drivers verified against the CDLIS MVR (391.43 / 391.51(b)(9)).
Medical variance or exemption — if the driver holds one (SPE, vision, etc.).

Timing & retention — the parts carriers miss

At hire

Application, safety-performance history inquiries, MVR from each licensing state, road-test/CDL and a current medical certificate before the driver's first dispatch.

Every 12 months

A fresh MVR and a signed, dated annual review confirming the driver still meets 391.15, plus the driver's annual list of violations.

Ongoing

Keep the medical certificate current, and re-verify CDL drivers' medical status on the CDLIS MVR.

Retention

Keep the whole file while the driver is employed and for 3 years after they leave.

Generate a complete DQF in one click

Instead of chasing paper, store each driver's documents in TRUCKSSISTANCE and let it assemble the file for you.

All Part 391 forms, filled

Employment application, certification of violations, annual review, road-test certificate, drug & alcohol / Clearinghouse and more — filled from the driver's record.

Attachments merged in

Copies of the license, medical certificate, MVR and PSP are appended into a single, audit-ready PDF.

Missing-item flags

See at a glance which documents are on file and which are still needed, before an auditor asks.

Renewal reminders

Medical and license expiries surface on your calendar so a driver never lapses.

DQF — FAQ

What is a Driver Qualification File?

The set of records a carrier must keep for each CMV driver proving they are legally and medically qualified, required by 49 CFR 391.51.

What has to be in it?

The employment application, safety-performance history, MVR and annual review, annual list of violations, road-test certificate or CDL copy, and the medical examiner's certificate — plus any medical variance.

How long do I keep it?

While the driver is employed and for three years after they leave. Annual MVRs and reviews are refreshed every 12 months.

Can I build one automatically?

Yes — store the driver's documents once and generate a complete DQF, with all forms filled and attachments merged, in one click.