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Driving Records
Top Check Your Driver's License Status
A driving record is similar to a credit report, only it chronicles your history of traffic accidents, moving violations, and license suspensions. Maintaining a clean record won't earn you a congressional medal, but it will make your life easier by keeping your insurance premiums reasonable and preventing any red flags from popping up should a potential employer do a background check.
Any moving violation conviction (speeding, DUI, fleeing the scene of an accident) will stick to your driving record like a bad tattoo. Regardless of how safely you drive thereafter, the blemishes will always remain.
All state driving records are cached by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and yours is available to you for a fee. There are six different history records that you can request:
- Basic information: Includes name, address, driver number, date of birth, and license type.
- Three-year record: In addition to the basic information, this record also includes traffic violations and departmental actions (suspensions or revocations) within the past three years.
- Ten-year record: Same information as a three-year record, only for 10 years. This request can be made for employment purposes only.
- Certified record: This record contains all of the basic information as well as the driver's entire record.
- Microfilm document: You can request records from specific time periods on microfilm.
- Certified copy of microfilm document: Same as above, but certified.
Top How to Request Your Driving Record
Online
Ordering online represents your fastest option. It only takes seconds to complete the order form, but you'll need a credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) to pay a $5 fee. You cannot, however, apply online for a certified record. This must be done in person or through the mail.
Mail
To request a record by mail, complete a Request for Driver Information and mail it along with a check ($5, or $10 for a certified record) to:
- Bureau of Driver Licensing
- Driver Record Services
- P.O. Box 68695
- Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695
In Person
To request in person, complete a Request for Driver Information and drop it off along with a check ($5, or $10 for a certified record) to:
- Bureau of Driver Licensing
- Driver Record Services
- 1101 South Front St.
- Third Floor
- Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695
Related Questions from DMV Answers
How can I contact the Highway Patrol?
Depending on your situation, every law enforcement agency will respond to 911. For 15 states, including California and New York, 911 is recognized as the main number for the highway patrol. Other states, in conjunction with 911, utilize special mobile phone numbers. Colorado for example also uses *csp and *dui, while Virginia's highway patrol also responds to #77. And the remaining states either use special, abbreviated mobil phone numbers or still utilize traditional nine-digit numbers. If you're venturing on an extended road trip it's always wise to plan ahead and record the numbers of the states you'll be driving through. These numbers can be easily found on the Internet. AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaO...
Read more >>How can I reduce my speeding ticket cost?
Methods vary by state, but some common ways to reduce speeding ticket cost include: Being a first-time offender. Not speeding more than a certain number of miles over the speed limit. Contesting the ticket in court. Depending on the nature of the traffic ticket, you might want to bring a traffic ticket attorney along with you. However, one of the most popular ways to reduce speeding ticket cost or dismiss a traffic ticket altogether is traffic school attendance. The grid below outlines which states consider dismissing traffic tickets or reducing speeding ticket costs if the driver attends traffic school. The bad news is that not every state does; the good news is that most states offer at least point reduction to your driving record. Once you check your state, be sure to talk with your local court and driver license agency for details.
Read more >>Where do I submit my accident report form?
Most states require you to file an accident report form at your DMV or other state driver license or motor vehicle agency (for purposes of this grid, “DMV” covers all those) or law enforcement agency following a car accident. Many states provide the forms online or in your local office, but you might need to obtain one from the police or your insurance agency.Each state sets its own accident criteria (i.e. how much property damage, whether an injury or death occurred) and the amount of time you have to file the accident report form. Be sure to file within that time period; otherwise, you could face penalties such as fines or license suspension.Note that even if the grid doesn’t mark the police for your state, you might still be required to contact them immediately following a car crash. Check for your state in the grid below.
Read more >>Do free driving records offer the same info as paid for driving records?
Companies advertising free driving records abound on the Internet. If you opt to order a free driving history report you can expect the following information: Drivers license number License issue date License expiration date Name of driver Driver's complete address City, state and zip code where license was issued Driver's date of birth Driver's eye color Organ donor information License type Accident history Conviction information Restriction information Other related DMV records and documentation The information is similar to the information you'll find on a paid driving history report. But the difference lies in sources. A paid report utilizes many more sources for gathering drivers license data, assuring that the information you read on your report is accurate and up to date. And this information includes current drivers license status, points, suspensions, accidents and more. If you decide to order a free report, take the time to research the company offering the report....
Read more >>If I have warrants, will my drivers license be suspended?
There are many different reasons a driver can have a drivers license suspended, such as failing to have adequate car insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of alcohol, or getting too many points on his or her driving record. One reason that many people are unaware of having a suspended license, however, is having a warrant issued for your arrest. An arrest warrant or bench warrant may be issued for: Failure to obey a court order Failure to pay a legally required fine Failure to complete community service Failure to follow terms of a probation agreement, such as completing a specified alcohol treatment program Failure to appear in court when required by law Keep in mind that warrants may not necessarily have anything to do with your driving record or your behavior on the road. For example, California is one of several states that will suspend your driver’s license if you have a warrant for unpaid child support. In many states, the courts will...
Read more >>
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