The Most Straightforward Ways to Perform a Driving Record Check

Cindy Ellis - November 24, 2023

It can be challenging to remember every infraction, error, or abnormality documented on a driving record. Similarly, for those who may have had issues with their license, checking the driver’s record can help keep people out of situations that can cause further penalties or even a suspended license.

Having easy availability to a driver’s record is essential for several reasons; you may need to know if you are eligible for an insurance plan, need it for potential employment, and much more. To give people a comprehensive look at how to avoid potential fines or driving suspensions, we will be going over how to check a record both digitally and in person.

What Does A Driving Record Check Show?

Before getting into the weeds of all the different ways you can check for your record by state and through various mediums, let’s discuss what a driving record will show a person. It may seem straightforward, though, for the average person; it’s entirely possible they have never checked their own.

It is always a good move to check your own background and ensure everything is up to board. Similarly, a driving record check can help provide easy access to driving-related careers.

A certified driving record report will list fundamental personal information of the person that is also going to be present on their driver’s license.

• Address
• Zip Code
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Eye and hair color
• Ethnicity
• Driving Points (If the state uses them)

This should be identical to your driver’s license and will provide no new information to the license holder. Below that is further information on the state of the license itself, which will show the classification of the license and whether or not it is active or suspended. Additionally, it will list the number of restrictions a person has.

The final portion of the record will list any driving infractions, citations, or accidents a person has been involved in.

For a driving violation, the reason for a fine will be listed at the top, such as speeding, with more intricate details sometimes listed in parentheses. The court that the ticket was issued to will be listed, as well as the date of the incident and the date the ticket was confirmed in court.

For accidents with no legal ramifications, the details will be more sparse. It will show the date of the accident as well as the accident case number and general information about the location where it took place (typically the county or city).

How To Check a Driving Record

The process of getting a personal driving record is not complicated, though it can differ quite a bit depending on the state an individual lives in. Because of the difference between Maine to Montana, it’s important to check the DMV website of the state you reside in.

There are companies that also provide a person’s unofficial driving record, though they are typically more expensive than a government alternative.

Check the Department of Motor Vehicles Website

The best way to find the state DMV website you reside in is through a Google search or by selecting your state on the United States Motor Vehicle Service page. For those utilizing a search engine, be aware that some states will have different names for their driving institutions, such as Washington or Ohio.

Be mindful that you aren’t using a sketchy third-party website, as a lot of personal information will be entered. The best way to ensure that you aren’t giving up private details to a suspicious third party is to check the end of the URL, which should say “.gov.”

Contrarily, if you want to do a public record search on yourself or an acquaintance, there are simpler ways on Information.com that will take far less time.

Once on the state Department of Motor Vehicles website, search until you see an option for driving records. Depending on the area, visiting a local DMV to get a copy of your record may be necessary, though most states offer a digital alternative.

Once the tab or link to obtaining a driving record has been found, the site will prompt you to enter a fair bit of personal information, so have your wallet handy. Remember that in most cases, personal information from the DMV can only be sent to the address listed on a person’s ID.

If your license needs to be updated, make sure you get a current address on file ahead of time.

In most cases, the website will need a person’s full birth name, social security number, and the individual’s license number. The site may also require an account, so use an e-mail address and password that you can write down or remember for further use in the future.

Once all the information has been provided, there will likely be a small cover fee ranging from as little as two to twenty-five dollars. While the cost may be steeper in certain states, it will almost always be less costly than third-party alternatives or privately owned companies that offer similar services.

Visit A Local Department of Motor Vehicles

There is no easy way to break the bad news that someone must take a trip to the DMV. The process is often slow, frustrating, and tedious–but it may save you some money and time in the long run. Usually, you can get a driving record printed off that day rather than waiting for it to arrive in seven to fourteen business days through snail mail.

The process will require a similar amount of personal information to that of the website, though bringing more personal documents never hurts anyone. It is always a bad day when you get up extra early to go to the DMV, only to discover that you need to bring an extra document.

It is best to bring two forms of personal identification to plan ahead: a driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, or certificate of citizenship.

Tell the DMV employee that you need your driving record and get an acceptable form of payment such as cash, check, or debit card. Credit cards are universally not accepted by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Typically, they can provide you with an official record at the DMV, though some may inform you that it will need to be mailed. Unfortunately, this will slow down the process considerably and may take up to two weeks, depending on the time of year and area you are in.

Use A Third-Party Alternative

Third-party websites are generally not recommended as they can be quite a bit more expensive; the driving records will also be unofficial, meaning they will be useless for potential employment or insurance eligibility. However, it still serves a valuable purpose for those who want a brief rundown of their driving history and need it quicker than the DMV can give.

Because of the massive variety of sites you can use, it is heavily recommended that you check reviews of the company or website you use before entering any financial or personal information. The most commonly used website is “DMV.org,” which is surprisingly unaffiliated with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Once on the website, you can scroll through until you find your state and select it. It’s worth mentioning that there are several states along the eastern seaboard that may not be compatible with the site. In that case, you will have to rely on the previous options instead.

Interested parties must provide their full name, license number, and address. If you have moved within the last two years, you will need to enter your previous home address. If you are unsure of your previous address or forgot it, you can utilize an address search through information.com.

The cost will be in the upper thirties and may differ by state, though it will bring you an unofficial driving record far quicker than most alternatives listed.

Quick Summary of Driving Record Checks

There are only a few methods to check your personal driving record, though the few available are very straightforward, if not a bit monotonous. Getting access to an official driving record will usually cost a small fee, and using government institutions like the DMV will almost always be the cheaper solution.

Depending on how your state gives records, through mail, digitally, or in person, certain individuals may be waiting for a few weeks before they get access to it. Because of this lengthy wait time, it is heavily recommended that people get ahead of it and try to do it before an insurance company or potential employer requests it.