An Employer Pull Notice (EPN) number is a unique identifier assigned to organizations participating in a state-mandated driver safety monitoring program. This program ensures employers are aware of the driving status of employees who operate vehicles as part of their job duties. Securing this number and complying with monitoring is mandatory for many businesses to maintain commercial operating authority and minimize liability exposure. The EPN system creates a continuous, automated link between the state’s driver licensing authority and the employer, providing immediate notification of critical changes to an employee’s driving record.
Defining the Employer Pull Notice Program
The Employer Pull Notice Program is a regulatory framework, often administered by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), that provides employers with ongoing access to the driving records of their enrolled employees. The EPN number is the distinct requester code the state assigns to an enrolled employer, which links the organization to the driver records it is authorized to monitor. This system’s purpose is to enhance driver safety by allowing companies to proactively identify and address high-risk driving behavior. In states like California, the EPN mechanism is a required component for commercial entities, serving as a rapid-alert system that moves beyond simple annual checks of a motor vehicle record (MVR). This continuous surveillance helps employers ensure drivers maintain a valid license and reduces liability associated with accidents involving employees operating company vehicles.
Determining Who Needs an EPN Number
Enrollment in the EPN program is legally required for employers who hire drivers operating specific classes of commercial motor vehicles. This mandate applies to companies employing drivers required to hold a Commercial Class A or Class B license. It also extends to drivers operating vehicles requiring a Class C license with special endorsements, such as those for transporting hazardous materials or a large number of passengers. Mandatory participants include large-scale trucking companies, passenger stage corporations, and school districts employing bus drivers. Furthermore, any organization operating a fleet of vehicles for compensation, such as charter-party carriers, must secure an EPN number and enroll their drivers. Certain corporate structures, like partnerships or Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) that are motor carriers, must enroll even if the owner is the sole commercial driver.
The Mechanism of the EPN Monitoring System
Once an employer registers and receives its unique EPN requester code, that code is electronically associated with the driver’s license record of each enrolled employee. This connection establishes the continuous monitoring link between the state agency and the employer. The system automatically generates and transmits a “pull notice” whenever a qualifying event is posted to the driver’s official record. Triggers for these notices include convictions for moving violations, failures to appear in court, reported accidents, or any action taken against the driving privilege, such as a license suspension or revocation. In addition to these event-driven reports, the EPN system automatically generates an updated driver record annually, ensuring periodic review even without a triggering incident.
Practical Steps to Register for EPN
The process for obtaining an EPN number begins by establishing an account with the state’s regulating department, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. An authorized representative must complete the application for a new EPN Requester Code, providing details about the business and its Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). This initial step culminates in the assignment of the employer’s unique EPN number. With the code secured, the employer proceeds to enroll individual drivers into the program, generally through an online portal or a secure file transfer system. This requires submitting the full name and driver’s license number for each mandated employee. For drivers licensed in other states, the employer must submit specific forms to secure an index number, which allows for tracking within the state system. Employers must also maintain a signed authorization form from any non-mandated employee they wish to enroll.
Ongoing Employer Compliance Responsibilities
Employers must maintain continuous compliance to satisfy the program’s legal requirements. Upon receiving a pull notice, the employer is responsible for promptly reviewing the document and taking appropriate administrative action based on the severity of the offense. This action may range from requiring remedial training to imposing disciplinary measures, including termination, if the violation disqualifies the employee from their driving duties. Employers must ensure that comprehensive records are kept for all EPN reports received, along with documentation of the resulting personnel actions taken. State agencies conduct routine audits to verify that companies are adhering to these compliance and record-keeping mandates. Furthermore, the employer is required to notify the state agency immediately whenever an enrolled driver is terminated, resigns, or is transferred to a position that no longer requires driving duties.