Driving Records in Ohio

You can order your driving record through the Ohio BMV:

For more information on driving records in Ohio, keep reading!

Ohio Driving Records

A driving record, called an abstract of driving record in Ohio, lists any violations you've incurred over a certain period of time (2 years or 3 years, depending on the report).

You can see an unofficial driving record online.

Your driving abstract is a lot like a credit report. Monitoring it for accuracy can save you headaches and help you prevent or catch identity theft.

About Your Ohio Driving Record

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers drivers the following record options:

  • A certified Ohio abstract of driving record covering the past 3 years.
  • An unofficial, online driving record covering the last 2 years.

Read below to find out more about the information found on your driving record.

Information Found on Your Driving Record

An official Ohio abstract of driving record shows:

  • Driver license points you received for moving violations.
  • Accidents in which you were driving, including:
    • Accidents caused by another driver.
    • No-fault accidents.
    • One-car accidents.
  • Accidents involving your car, including:
    • Vehicle fires.
    • One-car accidents.

Ohio driving abstracts show ALL accidents, no matter who was at fault.

The OH BMV does not determine fault, but fault can be evident from your driver record:

  • A moving violation and points on the same date as an accident suggests you were at fault.
  • No moving violation or points on the same date as an accident suggests you were not at fault.

Duration of Information

Information stays on your driving record for 2 years. The 2 years begins:

  • The date you were convicted of a moving violation.
  • The date of a car accident.
  • The date your license was reinstated after a suspension, revocation, or disqualification.

Your driver's license will be suspended if you accrue 12 points for moving violations within 2 years.

Keeping Suspensions Off Your Driving Record

Ohio drivers can take a defensive driver course to receive a credit of 2 points against points accumulated over 2 years.

This credit of 2 points helps you avoid suspension of your license (which occurs if you accrue 12 points in 2 years).

To take the course, you must be charged with:

  • At least 2 points against you.
    BUT
  • Fewer than 12 points against you.

The BMV restricts the number and frequency of credits you can receive by completing defensive driving courses:

  • Only 1 course every 3 years.
  • Lifetime maximum of 5 times.
  • Course must be taken from an approved school.

Once the BMV receives notification that you have completed the course, you will receive your credit. This credit DOES NOT remove any points from your driving record, BUT it does help you avoid adding a driver's license suspension to the record.

Keep Your Insurance Rates Low!

Did you know that insurance companies look at your driving report to determine whether to raise or lower your rates? Violations like suspended licenses can lead to higher premiums.

Take a defensive driving course today to earn a credit of 2 points against points on your record.

Ohio Driving Records for Employment

An employer may want to check your driving record; for example, as part of a pre-employment screening, especially if your job will include driving.

Employers can request your driving abstract from the OH BMV and/or check the National Driver Register (NDR) to see if you have violations in any other states.

Ohio BMV Records

An employer can request your Ohio abstract of driving record from the Ohio BMV to verify that the information you have provided to them is correct.

To request your driving record, an employer can make a public records request and will receive a copy of your driving record with sensitive information, such as your Social Security number and photograph, removed.

The BMV cannot give a current or prospective employer sensitive information unless you have a commercial driver's license (CDL).

National Driver Register

The National Driver Register has a database of “problem drivers" and can provide the names of any states in which a driver has violations. However, the NDR does not provide the actual driving records.

If a driver has a record in another state, the record itself must be requested from that state.

You must sign the Employer/Employee Request for National Driver Register (NDR) File Check on Current or Prospective Employee (BMV 2151) in order for an employer to receive information about you from the NDR.

How to Order an Ohio Driving Record

You can receive a certified copy of your abstract of driving record for any Ohio driver.

You can order your driving record from the Ohio BMV:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

How to Get a Driving Record Online

You can order a certified abstract of your driving record online from the Ohio BMV online system, OPLATES.

To request your certified abstract, you will need:

  • Your driver's license number.
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • A credit or debit card.

The fee to request your OH driving record online is $8.50.

Free Online Records

You can view a free unofficial driving record from the Ohio BMV. To view your driving record, you will need to provide basic information, including your:

  • Driver's license number.
  • Social security number.

By Mail

To request a driving record by mail:

  • Complete the OBMV Record Request (form BMV 1173).
  • Include a check or money order for $5 payable to the “Ohio State Treasurer."
  • Send the form and payment to the address on the form.

In Person

You can get an official driver license abstract from:

You will need:

Ordering Another Person's Record

You can order someone else's driving record, as long as you have their consent.

To request another person's driver record, you will need:

  • Their consent on a separate form.
    OR
  • A valid public records request, including but not limited to:
    • Information for marketing.
    • Information for research.
    • Verification of an employee's information.

NOTE: Ohio driving records requested for public information DO NOT contain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, any medical information or photographs.

You can order another driver's record:

  • By mail.
  • In person.

By Mail

To request a driving record by mail:

  • Complete the OBMV Record Request (form BMV 1173).
  • If you are not making a public records request, include the Notarized Written Consent Release of Personal Information (form BMV 5008) signed by the individual whose record you are requesting.
  • Include a check or money order for $5 payable to the “Ohio State Treasurer."
  • Send the forms and payment to the address on the driving record request form.

In Person

To request an Ohio driving record in person, go to:

You will need:

Updating Your Driving Record

If you find an error on your driving record related to your involvement in an accident, you must contact the police department that filed the original accident report so that they can file a crash report supplement to correct it.

Once the OH BMV receives this correction, they will update your driving record information.

For other errors on your driving record, contact the Ohio BMV at (844) 644-6268 for assistance with updating your information.

Forms

BMV 5008
Notarized Written Consent Release of Personal Information
Submit your written consent for the Ohio BMV to release your personal information to a separate entity (indicated on the form) for reasons allowed by law.
BMV 1173
Record Request
Submit this form to the BMV to request Ohio driver and vehicle records. You may request your own OR someone else's for purposes accepted by law.
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