Driving Records in New York

To obtain your NY driving record, you can:
  • Visit the NY DMV's online services portal.
  • Order your record through a third party for expedited service.
  • Visit a DMV branch in person with proof of ID and payment.
  • Mail your request to the office on the application form.

For specific details, keep reading!

Driving Records in New York

Your New York driving record will show important details about your driving history, including:

  • Your NY driver's license verification status (e.g. valid, expired, suspended, or revoked).
  • The number of driver license points you have accrued.
  • Your traffic tickets, accidents, violations, and fines.
  • Your NY driver license classifications and endorsements.

If you need your NY driving record information to help you get a job, lower your car insurance in New York, or prevent identity theft, continue reading to learn more.

NOTE: Your Social Security number (SSN) will NOT appear on your driver records.

Types of New York Driving Records

Before ordering your NY driving record ( also called a “driving record abstract"), you should figure out exactly what type of driving record you need. Be aware that some companies will not accept your certified NY driving abstract if it was printed or issued more than 30 days ago.

Below are descriptions of each type of driving record in New York including:

  • Certified abstract from the NY DMV.
  • Masked driving record abstract.
  • Non-certified driving record from third-party providers.
  • Title abstract.
  • Registration abstract.

Certified Abstract

All certified driver record abstracts from the New York DMV show your:

  • Personal information: Name, date of birth, and mailing address.
  • Driver information: Driver license class, status, expiration, endorsements, and restrictions.
  • Driving history (current year, and past 3 years): Accidents, moving violations, suspensions, and revocations.
  • Alcohol or drug-related convictions from the past 15 years or beyond (depending on the conviction).

If you need to view your New York driving record immediately, you can use the MyDMV online system or visit a local NY DMV office. This requires a sign-up process. If your New York driver license is suspended or revoked, you'll want to know right away.

Refer to the section below titled “Order a New York Driving Record" for more information.

NOTE: If you have moved, do NOT order your NY driving abstract online until you update your address with the NY Department of Motor Vehicles first. To find out how to make a change of address with the NY DMV, please view our page about Changing Your Address in New York.

Masked Driving Record Abstract

If you wish to order someone else's driving record, but you DO NOT meet the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) requirements to do so, you will receive a “ masked driving record abstract."

The masked abstract will not reveal any personal information about the driver, such as their name, address, Social Security number, client ID number, but WILL contain the following:

  • The class and current status of the NY driver license.
  • Endorsements and restrictions.
  • Accident history, suspensions and revocations.
  • Details about moving violation convictions.

You may only request this type of driving record by mail or in person at the Central DMV Office in Albany.

For more information about DPPA permissible use, please read the “Order Another Person's Driving Record" section below.

You can learn more about suspended licenses at our Suspended License in New York page.

Title Abstracts

Title abstracts from the New York DMV show detailed information about a vehicle, such as the name and mailing address of its vehicle owner, and current lien information (if applicable).

Registration Abstracts

A registration abstract in New York shows vehicle information including the name and the mailing address of the vehicle owner, and the registration expiration date.

Order Your New York Driving Record

You may order a certified abstract of your own driving record, registration abstract, or title abstract with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) online, by telephone, by mail, or in person.

You may also order non-certified driving records from third-party providers.

Employers: If you're requesting the driving record of someone other than yourself, see the “Request Another Person's Driving Records" section below.

Order Online

The NY DMV driver abstract online service is available to anyone who needs to obtain a certified copy of his or her personal driving record. No sign-up is required if you want to receive your driving record in the mail. To receive an immediate downloadable copy, you must register with MyDMV online system.

You cannot use the NY DMV online service if:

  • You would like a driving abstract of another driver.
  • Your mailing address is outside of the U.S. (including military addresses).
  • The NY DMV does NOT have your current address.
  • The NY DMV does NOT have your Social Security number (SSN).

To receive an immediate downloadable copy:

To request a certified copy to be mailed to you (without a MyDMV account):

  • Visit the NYS DMV Abstract Order portal.
  • Enter your:
    • 9-digit NY driver's license number (client ID #).
    • Document number (8 or 10 characters).
    • Date of birth.
    • Last 4 digits of your SSN.
      • Visit the NY DMV website for help with finding information on your NY driver's license.
  • Pay the applicable fee.
  • Enter your e-mail address and submit your order.

Be sure to write down your order number appearing on your confirmation screen.

Order in Person

To request your NY driver abstract in person, visit your local NY DMV office with:

  • A completed Request For Driving Record Information (Form MV-15C).
  • Proof of your identity:
  • Payment for the $10 fee. NY DMV offices accept payment by:
    • Cash.
    • VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit/debit card.
    • Check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

If you're visiting the DMV Central Office in Albany, your driver record abstract will be given to you immediately while you're at the office.

Order by Mail

Order Your Driving Record by Mail

To order your NY driving record by mail, you will need:

  • A completed Request for Driving Record Information (Form MV-15).
  • Proof of your identity:
    • Birth certificate.
    • NYS driver's license.
    • U.S. citizenship certificate.
      • For a complete list of accepted documents, please visit the NYS DMV website.
  • A check or money order for the $10 fee (made payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles").

Send your documents and payment to the address listed on the form.

Order While Renewing Your NY Driver's License

When you receive a renewal notice for your NY driver license, you'll see an option to order your personal New York driving record abstract when you renew.

To order a driver abstract while renewing your NY driver's license, you must:

  • Mark the blue box on your renewal notice from the NY DMV.
  • Include the $10 search fee in addition to your NY driver license renewal fee.
    • You may send a personal check or money order (payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles") for the total amount of the both fees.

NOTE: Your NY driving record abstract will be sent by mail separately.

Order Another Person's Driving Record

You cannot order the NY driving record of another person from the NY DMV online or by e-mail. You must make your request by mail or in person.

The Driving Records Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law that mandates how motor vehicle departments share driver information. The DPPA prohibits the release of personal driving record information without the consent of the driver in question.

There are several reasons why you may need to order the NYS driving records of your employees, including:

  • Verifying the identity of an applicant: If you're looking to hire a new employee in New York, you should obtain his or her NY driving record in addition to a background check, to learn more about the applicant. If the job requires driving, you would not want to hire someone with a suspended or revoked license.
  • Minimizing liability: Your company could be held liable for the misconduct of an employee or driver who operates a company-owned vehicle. Employing an individual to drive a company-owned car or truck without a valid license or proper class of license could lead to potential damages or lawsuits.
  • Checking license classes: Making sure your employee holds the correct type of license and has all required endorsements.

You should regularly check the driving record of your employees to verify their driving status and driver's license class.

NOTE: If you do not verify your DPPA permissible use on your form, the NY DMV will issue you a masked driver abstract (see the “Types of New York Driving Records" section above).

Order by Mail

To order a driving record abstract of another individual in New York by mail, you will need:

  • A completed Request for DMV Records Information (Form MV-15).
    • Make sure you indicate the purpose of your request on the last page.
  • Proof of your identity, such as your:
  • A check or money order for the $10 fee, payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

Order in Person

To request a driving record of another individual in New York in person, visit your local NY DMV office with:

  • A completed Request For Driving Record Information (Form MV-15C).
    • Indicate the purpose of your request by writing your initials on the second page.
  • Proof of your identity, such as your:
    • Birth certificate.
    • NYS driver's license.
    • U.S. citizenship certificate.
  • Payment for the $10 search fee by:
    • Cash.
    • VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit/debit card.
      OR
    • Check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

If the NY DMV cannot find a driving record with the information you submit, you will receive a written notification by mail.

Correcting Your NY Driving Record

An error on your NY driving record could prevent you from getting a job or increase the rate you pay for your car insurance in New York.

If you believe there is a mistake on your NY driving record, the New York DMV recommends contacting its NY DMV call center.

Removing Points from Your Driving Record

If you attend a point reduction course approved by the New York DMV (also called a “defensive driving course"), you could remove as many as 4 points from your driving record. In some cases, you could also save up to 10% on your auto or collision insurance premiums.

For information about the defensive driving classes you can take in New York, please read our Defensive Driving in New York page.

NOTE: You may NOT take this course to accumulate point credits for future violations.

Get a Lower Insurance Rate!

Have you already received the credit for taking a New York PIRP Defensive Driving course? Click HERE to learn more!

Lowering Your Car Insurance Rate in New York

Since car insurance companies will view your driving history when determining your auto insurance premium, every incident or traffic violation you receive penalty points could significantly increase how much you pay for auto insurance.

Violations that can affect your car insurance rate in New York include:

  • Unpaid tickets.
  • Unpaid child support.
  • No insurance.
  • Failure to renew your NY driver's license.

If your driving record reflects a series of traffic tickets, auto accidents, DUI or DWI convictions, an insurance agent will consider you a high-risk driver.

To learn more about how to get a lower car insurance rate, visit our Insurance Center.

National Driver Register Record Checks

The National Driver Register (NDR) is a federal agency that records your driving history from every participating state where you have held a driver's license. The DMV of each state will forward the NDR specific information about drivers with any:

  • Suspensions.
  • Revocations.
  • Denials.
  • Withdrawals.
  • Severe traffic violations.

Check Your NDR Record

To order a copy of your NDR record, you will need to:

Send the above to:

National Driver Register
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Forms

MV-15C
Request for Driving Record Information
Request your own New York driving record or that of someone else for purposes allowed by law.
MV-15
Request for DMV Records
Use this form to order your own DMV records or somebody else's for purposes allowed by law.
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