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Driving Records
Top Check Your Driver's License Status
Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.
In Illinois, driver records are often needed in order to obtain employment. You may also want a copy of your driving record if you are defending yourself against a ticket in an Illinois court. Having a physical copy of a good driving record to submit to the judge reportedly can help, but check with your attorney for legal advice.
Top How to Order Your Driving Record
To obtain a certified abstract of your driving record, take these steps:
- Go to your local Secretary of State office.
- Fill out a request form.
- Pay the $12 fee in cash or with a check (no credit or debit cards are accepted).
- Receive a print-out of your driving record immediately.
You can also order a certified copy of your driving record by mail, but it'll take a little longer to process (up to 10 days). Simply send a written request along with $12 to:
- Driver Analysis Section
- Secretary of State
- 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
- Springfield, IL 62723
In your letter, include your full name, date of birth, and Illinois driver's license number.
Expedited Processing
Many third-party companies can furnish you with your driving record more quickly than you can get one yourself by mail. If you don't want to stand in line and you don't mind paying a little more, contact one of these companies for faster results. In many cases they can send you your driving record by fax or even e-mail.
Employers
Requests from employers or others checking someone else's driving record can take an additional 10 days to process on top of normal processing times. The report will omit the address and any other personal information about the driver, but it will list all convictions, accidents, and suspensions or revocations. It may not include cases that are still pending or tickets that did not result in a conviction.
To request someone else's driving record, apply as above. Include the full name, date of birth, and Illinois driver's license number of the driver whose record you seek. The Secretary of State's office will notify the driver that you have requested the record.
Top Clearance Letters vs. Driving Record
Other states may require a clearance letter from your previous driver licensing authority before they will grant you a driver's license. The State of Illinois does not issue clearance letters. You can instead submit a certified copy of your driver record. Contact the Abstract Information Unit at (217) 782-2720 for further information.
You may also want the requesting state authority to contact the State of Illinois at the number above to verify that Illinois does not issue clearance letters. This may save you trouble later when you submit your driving record instead of the requested document.
Enter your Zip Code below to get a Free Quote. We suggest getting quotes from both companies to ensure you get the best rate. There is no obligation to purchase.Related Questions from DMV Answers
How long will DUI arrests that result in a conviction stay on my driving record?
Categories:Each state treats DUI arrests differently. Especially when it comes to your driving record. In some states a DUI or DWI conviction will stay on your record permanently. Whereas other states will allow for a drunk driving conviction to be expunged after a certain number in years. In Virginia, for example, a DUI conviction will be removed after 11 years. Whereas in New Mexico it remains for 55 years on your record. For a state-by-state list consult the grid below.Because DUI laws can be confusing, you should always consider hiring a DUI lawyer. Their legal expertise could possibly help minimize your DUI penalties, which could save you money and spare you jail time.
Read more >>How long does it take to get a copy of my driver record?
Categories:It depends on the speed of your computer. If you order a driver record from driving record companies on the Internet, you can have it in seconds. Before jumping at the first one you find, make sure it's a reputable company. The difference between a good and a bad company can be gauged by the number of sources used to create the driving record. The better companies gather information from a huge database, comprised of thousands of sources ranging from police and fire departments to auto auctions and motor vehicle offices. The more sources, the more comprehensive the driving record report.
Read more >>How important is a driving record in getting a job?
Categories:Importance of Driving Record A driving record is very important in getting a job that requires driving. But even for other non-driving related jobs, a driving record may be considered very important when an employer evaluates your character and assesses the risk of hiring you. Every employer is different, so it’s difficult to say how important your driving record will be for any given job. Rest assured, if the job you are applying for lists driving or operating machinery as part of the job description, your driving record is going to be very important in determining whether you get the job. In addition, as more employers are reviewing driving records even for jobs that don’t require driving, your driving record may be more important than you realize. If you have a lot of moving violations or major convictions like a DUI, for example, many employers will dismiss you as a candidate for the job merely because you seem too risky. However, the employer must seek your per...
Read more >>Can I order a driving record without knowing my drivers license number?
Categories:Yes. While if you try to obtain your driving record through the DMV they will ask you to provide your driver’s license, this is not the only way to get driving record information. If you go online, there are multiple sites that offer driving record information. Driving record information is a matter of public record, so these sites are completely within their rights to provide you with this information. This means you can use online record sites to not only obtain your own driving record, but to recover your license number if you have lost it or to obtain the license number and record of other drivers as well. All you have to do is provide the name and city of the person you wish to obtain a record for and you should receive the record almost instantly over the Internet. Driving record information can be useful for a number of reasons. Your own information can be helpful in letting you know where you stand when applying for a job or for a loan, and the driving record informati...
Read more >>How far back do driving records go?
Categories:While the answer varies from state-to-state, you can expect moving violations to remain on your driving record for at least three years, while a serious offense like a DUI will be on your record for seven to ten years in most states and situations, and can be a permanent mark on your record in the most serious cases. In California, a moving violation or accident will stay on your record for three years, while a DUI will be on it for ten. In Florida, all point-garnering offenses will remain on your record for ten years, although the points will only count against you for three, and DUIs and other serious offenses will stay on your record for 75 years. Regardless of how complete your record is, in most states insurance companies cannot look at your record beyond the last five years, in some cases, three. You may wish to verify this with the insurance-governing body in your specific state. Remember that if you are curious about your driving record, you can always order a copy for yo...
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