I haven't filled out a job application in a long time but, I remember - even way before 9/11, most of (if not all) the applications I filled out asked for my DL#.
What info do you need for job applications in Canada?
Usually, your SS number is only asked once you get the job. It's better that way in my opinion, because it helps prevent identity theft. As for when you fill out an application, they usually ask for your past job experiences, why you quit your last job, and sometimes (in big stores like Walmart and such) if you have a criminal record. I haven't filled job applications in a while, so I don't remember much... but a driver's license isn't obligatory, and also, I really don't see the point of asking the number haha
I can actually see & understand a few reasons why potential employers would want a potential employees DL#.
Maybe this also is done differently in Canada...
Especially in the case of applying for a job where the employee would be driving a company car & operating it under the company's insurance policy.
I'm assuming that some things that prospective employers do and/or check via a DL# could be:
- How many (if any) points are currently on the license + what were the types of incidents that the points were given for?
- How many (if any) accidents has this person had + what were the specifics of the accident & who was at fault?
- Has this person ever lost/had their license revoked...if so, why?
- Has this person ever been convicted and/or found guilty of driving while intoxicated/under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics?
- Has this person ever (possibly) been involved in any instances of scams, fraud, theft, etc? Here, in the US, almost every store requires a drivers license, almost every time you return anything to their store (*Especially* when looking to get cash back, instead of an exchange or store credit); therefore - people w/ long lists of diverse items returned to many different stores (particularly, multiple returns of big-ticket and/or strings of returns of highly liquid items for strictly cash) may well be looked at more closely & thoroughly than other applicants.
- Our licenses are also tied to, required for, and keep a record of all items sold to pawn shops, game & electronic stores, recycling yards, and gold, jewelry, and coin shops,
- A drivers license can also show if the applicant is currently wanted/being sought for any crimes and/or if they've jumped bail or if they have any open arrest warrants,
- in most cases, you can't open a banking account and/or cash any checks w/o a DL, and,
- I'm pretty sure that employers may even be State and/or Federally mandated to ask for/insist upon DL-related info. to confirm that the applicants are legal residents of where they're applying for work.
So, there's actually many things that can be learned (and inferred) about a prospective employee, their past, and even their character...all from that little 15-digit (here in NJ, at least) number