Driving Records

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 Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV.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.

Your Personal Information is Privileged

Personal information on driving records is privileged. According to the Federal Driver's Protection Act of 1994, as well as the Virginia Vehicle Code, there are only certain circumstances when other people can request your driver or vehicle records.

Employers and insurance companies, for example, may have access to your driving record with permission from you. On the other hand, you can obtain a copy of your own record easily online, through the mail, or by visiting a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer service center in person.

The fee for a copy of your driving record or vehicle record (see below) is $8. There is an additional $5 fee if you would like the copy to be certified.

Driver Records

There are three types of driver records. You will receive an 11-year driving history if you don't specify a reason for getting it. If you are requesting it for employment purposes, you will receive a seven-year history. And if it is for an insurance company, you will receive a five-year history.

Vehicle Records

To request your vehicle's record, you must provide your vehicle's title number and vehicle identification number (VIN), which you will find on your title and your registration card, respectively. The vehicle history will only show data for the time period during which you have owned the vehicle.

How to Order Your Records

Online: Follow the instructions to access your driving record online.

In person: To request your driver or vehicle record in person, you must show valid identification, such as a valid driver's license, and pay the appropriate fees.

By mail: To request either record by mail, be sure to include your full name, Social Security number, address, and the fee. Send your request to:

• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

• Attention: Vehicle (Driver) Records Work Center

• P.O. Box 27412

• Richmond, VA 23269

Third-Party Providers

There are private companies that can expedite access to your driving record. You may need the record quickly to fight a traffic ticket or to apply for a job, or you might just want to check it periodically for mistakes. These companies can sometimes mail, fax, or e-mail you your driving record in a matter of days, not weeks.

Another type of report you can order is a vehicle history report. This differs from the one you get from the DMV in that it can cover the entire life of the vehicle, not only when you owned it.

A vehicle history report can tell you about any accidents the car was ever in, whether it was ever salvaged, whether it was ever used as a fleet vehicle, how many owners it has had, and more. If you're buying a used car, ordering a vehicle history report can ensure you know what you're getting into.