Driving Records in California

Introduction

Your driving record (or driver record, driver license record, or DMV record―the CA DMV uses these terms interchangeably) is a record of your driving history.

Information On Your CA Driving Record

California driving records include information about your:

• Traffic tickets and convictions, including DUI
• Your driver license status; specifically, whether your license is valid or suspended or revoked. You’ll also see any outstanding reinstatement fees.
• Driving record points

Your driver record also includes the same kind of personal information associated with your driver’s license, including your name and age, address, and Social Security number.

NOTE: The CA DMV is clear about toll evasions and your driving record―they aren’t included, and car insurance providers can’t use them when determining motor vehicle insurance coverage.

How Long Does Info Stay On Your Driving Record?

Most offenses stay on your record for either three years or 10 years. It works like this:

• Convictions worth One point (like minor traffic violations or issues with faulty equipment) stay on your record for three years.
• Convictions worth three points (like DUI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license) stay on your record for 10 years.
• Accidents stay on for three years from the date of the accident.
• License suspensions and revocations stay on your record for three years.
• Failure to appear offenses remain on your record for 10 years (DUI) or five years (any other case).

Why Order a CA Driving Record?

Probably the most important reason to order your driving record is to make sure the information on the record is correct.

Lots of folks can take a peek at your driver history, so it’s important to make sure that history is accurate.

Of course, you might want to order a driving record to check out someone else’s history, including your spouse, teen driver, or someone you might employ or insure.

Read on for information about who can see driver records, how you can order a copy of your or someone else’s driver history, and how to correct information on a record.

Who Sees Your Driver Record?

Aside from yourself and the DMV, the two most common agencies interested in your driving history are potential employers and auto insurance companies.

Employers and Your Driving Record

Some employers want to check driver license records to make sure their potential new hires aren’t prone to lots of traffic violations―especially serious ones like driving under the influence―and license suspension. This is a given (and often explicitly stated in the job posting) if you’re applying for a position that requires driving.

Car Insurance and Your Driving Record

Car insurance companies check driver records to assess how much of a risk it would be to insure you. Sometimes even just one license revocation can cause a provider to increase your rates or refuse to cover you.

Understand that even though it follows you around for a while, a less-than-perfect driving history doesn’t mean you have to settle for sky-high auto insurance rates. Take some time to compare car insurance rates from various providers to find the coverage you need at a price you can still afford.

How to Order a California Driving Record

You can obtain your own driving history, and you can also request the record of another driver.

Order Your Own Driving Record

There are three different ways in which you can order your own driving history: online, in person, or by mail.

Online

You can order a driving record online, but understand that online driving records aren’t official documents. If you need an official document, skip to the options below.

Visit the state’s Driver Record Request page to order your driving record online. You can pay the $5 fee using the system’s eCheck feature with any major credit card, or a with bank or ATM card with the VISA or MasterCard logo.

View the record online, or print it for an additional $2.

NOTE: You must be a Certified User to use this option. That just means you have to register, which you can do via the state’s Registration page.

In Person

Visit your local DMV office (the DMV recommends making an appointment), complete a Form INF 1125, show identification, and pay the $5 fee.

By Mail

To order your driving record by mail, complete a Form INF 1125 and send it, along with a check or money order for $5, to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Public Operations, G 199

• P.O. Box 944247

• Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

Request Another Person’s Driver License Record

California considers driving records public information, but that doesn’t mean just anybody can order one for just any reason. You can request the driving history, and the DMV will determine whether you receive it.

Begin the process by completing the Form INF 70 and mailing the last two pages (Part I and Part II) to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Public Operations, G 199

• P.O. Box 944247

• Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. The regular, automated computer printout is $5; if you need a photocopy of the hard copy or microfilm document, it’s $20.

NOTE: Typically, the DMV does not reveal personal and sensitive information on these records; information such as the person’s address and Social Security number will be blacked out. Exceptions might be made in legal situations.

Driving Records and Third-Party Vendors

The above instructions explain how to order driving records from the CA DMV, but you can also obtain a copy of your driving history from third-party companies.

These private, independent companies specialize in expedited service, meaning sometimes they can provide your driving record faster than the DMV.

Understand, though, that these companies can’t provide official documents. They’re great for seeing what’s on your record, but if you need a government document for official reasons, order it from the DMV.

Correcting Information On Your Driving Record

So, you’ve checked out your own driving record and found incorrect information?

Don’t worry. If it’s information related to a traffic accident, or a violation and conviction, the DMV will make corrections once you submit the appropriate forms and legal documents.

Traffic Violations and Convictions

Complete and submit Form DL 207, the Driver License Record Correction Request.

You also must include appropriate court documents to prove you weren’t convicted of the violation; specifically, the DMV requests a Court Abstract/Document Error Form DL 157, or an original signed or certified letter from the court on official letterhead. You can get both from the court that handled your case.

Submit your forms and documents to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Mandatory Actions Unit, M/S J-233

• P.O. Box 942890

• Sacramento, CA 94290-0001

Traffic Accidents

Complete and submit Form DL 208, the Traffic Accident Record Correction Request.

Be sure to include the original traffic accident report, along with an amended report or correction explanations on official letterhead. You can get these documents from the law enforcement agency that handled the accident.

Mail all forms and documents to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Mandatory Actions Unit, M/S J-233

• P.O. Box 942890

• Sacramento, CA 94290-0001

National Driver Register Record Checks

Did you know about the National Driver Register (NDR)?

The NDR keeps a record of your driving history, too, only on a much larger scale, meaning it includes your driving history from every state that has issued you a driver’s license (as long as that state has reported your history to the NDR).

Ordering an NDR record check is a little different than ordering a regular California driving record, and the process depends on who’s making the request.

Employer-Requested NDR Record Checks

Complete Form INF 1301. Read all of the instructions carefully, but pay special attention to the following:

• The driver must authorize the record check with a signature.
• The driver must certify his or her identity by having the signature notarized.
• You must make the request in the state where the driver is licensed.

Mail the form and the $5 fee to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Public Operations, G 199

• P.O. Box 944247

• Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

NOTE: Don’t deliver the form and fee to your local DMV. You can’t make these requests in person, unless you happen to be on the east coast for some reason and can stop by the National Driver Register in Washington, D.C.

Individual-Requested NDR Record Checks

You must make your request directly to the NDR. You can do this in person at:

• National Driver Register

• 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE West Building

• 400 7th Street, SW

• Washington, D.C. 20590

Or, you can start the process at the NDR’s File Check Request Forms page, which is most likely going to be easier for you, given your location.

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