Top Your Privacy Protection

Safeguarding personal information is a concern for many people these days, and with good reason. The possibility for identify theft, credit card fraud and other abuses of this information seems to grow a little every day.

As a way to help protect drivers from having sensitive data stored by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles being released, the Driver's Privacy Protection Act was enacted. This act limits the occasions in which personal information included in your driver's license, motor vehicle registration and other department records may be given out.

We'll take a look at what sort of information is contained in these records, how to obtain them, and why you might want to order a copy of your own records.

Top Driver's License Record Information

Your driver's license record contains the following information:

• Name and address

• Physical description

• Type of license issued, status and any restrictions

• Issue and expiration dates

• List of tickets and violations

Anyone may obtain this sort of information, but they'll need to have your driver's license number and birthdate. Likewise, you may obtain this information about another person, but you need to have the same data.

Top Check Your Driver's License Status

There are a few ways to obtain a driver's license record.

First, you may stop by any license agency and pick up State Form 48430, Request for Personal Information/Driver Services, or download it.

Then, complete the form and mail it to:

• Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• Driver Records/IGCN

• 100 North Senate Ave., Room N405

• Indianapolis, IN 46204

The records cost $4 each to obtain, and the request takes up to 10 business days to process.

For an extra $4, you may order a driver history, which includes all of the above information plus photocopies of specified documents. Allow two to eight weeks for processing.

Another option is to stop by one of the eight reinstatement agencies located throughout Indiana. Driver records are available for purchase directly through these branches for the same fee.

You may also obtain a driver license record by subscribing to the Indiana Driver License Records Search. Doing so permits you online access to individual records for $7.50 each. Or, you may opt to pay a yearly fee of $50. Subscribing to the service will also allow you to have online access to other information as well, such as title, lien and vehicle registration data.

And lastly, you can order from a third party, such as the one listed at the top of this page.

Top Personal Information

Other personal information, however, is not included on your driving record, and is normally not released. This means:

• Phone numbers

• Social Security number

• Driver's license number

• Medical or disability information

• Photographs

• Computer images

However, this sort of information may be released to individuals who have a valid reason for having the data. Some examples of this would be law enforcement officials, insurance company representatives, attorneys, court officials, private investigators and some employers.

To obtain this personal information, the same form is used. Those obtaining this personal information will have to certify their reason for having it.

You may also allow someone to access to your personal information, but written permission to release the information must be included with the form.

Top Protecting Yourself

Of course, you may ask for a copy of your own personal information, as well as your driving record―even if no one is currently asking for the information.

Why would you want to do this?

It's a good idea to periodically check this information just to make sure the data is accurate. Mistakes are always possible, and can happen with just an errant keystroke.

It doesn't cost much to make sure the information is accurate, and you certainly don't want possible employers, insurance companies, government agencies or others to have an incorrect, damaging impression about your driving record and personal information.

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