Top Your Driving Record

Much like a credit report summarizes your financial activities, your driving record contains a written summary of your driving activity. The Office of Driver Services is responsible for maintaining the driving records of all drivers ever licensed in the state of Iowa.

Your driving record describes your traffic violations, convictions, and accidents. It tells if you've ever had your license suspended or revoked. Your driving record will even tell your potential employers or insurers if you've ever been convicted of a DUI. The information is also shared with other states and may affect your ability to receive a new driver's license if you relocate.

Top Check Your Driver's License Status

Obtaining a certified copy of your driving record is surprisingly simple, although the Iowa Department of Transportation does charge a $5.50 fee for this service. Mail a written request with your full name, driver's license number, date of birth, mailing address, and check payable to "Treasurer, State of Iowa" to:

• Office of Driver Services

• Iowa Dept. of Transportation

• 6310 SE Convenience Blvd.

• Ankeny, IA 50021

• Mailing address:

• P.O. Box 9204

• Des Moines, IA 50306-9204

An alternative to this approach is to order a driving record from an online company, such as the one at the top of this page. These companies can expedite the process in many cases, so if you are in a rush, signing up for their services may be the way to go.

Top Driving Records and Criminal Identity Theft

Sometimes, inaccurate information on your driving record will be the result of a simple human error. However, with identity theft on the rise, more mistakes are being attributed to the deliberate misuse of personal information.

While financial identity theft occurs when someone uses your bank account or credit card to make fraudulent purchases, criminal identity theft occurs when a thief uses your driver's license or other identification to impersonate you during the investigation of a crime (for example, producing a forged driver's license in your name when arrested).

Criminal identity theft often goes undetected until the victim is denied new employment or terminated from a current position after a routine background check reveals the unexplained conviction.

If your driver's license is ever lost or stolen, you should obtain a replacement immediately and notify the proper local law enforcement officials. In addition, experts recommend that you review your driving record on a yearly basis to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of criminal identity theft.

If you discover suspicious information, the Iowa Department of Transportation has a special identity theft investigative unit that may be able to help you clear your name.

Our content is updated based on input from users like you. Help make it better!