What a driver license history record contains and who can request it
Your driver license history is a record kept by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that shows every license you have held, when each was issued and expired, what class of license it was, and any suspensions or revocations. It also lists traffic violations, accidents you reported to the DMV, and points or infractions on your record. The specific details vary by state — some include minor violations from decades ago, while others purge records after a set number of years.
You can request your own history directly from your state DMV, usually online, by mail, or in person. Insurance companies, employers, courts, and law enforcement can also request it, but typically only with your permission or a court order. Some states allow third parties to see a limited version that excludes certain personal details.
The cost ranges from free to around $15 depending on your state and how you request it. Online requests are usually faster — often delivered within minutes or a few hours — while mail requests can take one to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Your driver license history includes every license you held, traffic violations, accidents, and any suspensions or revocations recorded by your state DMV.
- You can request your own record online, by mail, or in person at your local DMV office, and most states deliver it within hours if you request it online.
- The record you see as the license holder is usually more complete than what employers or insurers can see without your written consent.
- Some states keep records for your entire driving life, while others remove violations after 3 to 7 years depending on the type of infraction.
How to request your record online through your state DMV
Most states now offer online access to your driver license history through their DMV website. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, and sometimes the last four digits of your Social Security number. The process typically takes five to ten minutes, and you can view or print your record when ready.
Go to your state's DMV website and look for a link labeled "Driver Record," "Driving History," "License History," or "Abstract." Some states bundle this with other services under a general "Online Services" portal. If you cannot find it on the main page, use the site's search function or call the DMV's customer service line — they can direct you to the right page or tell you if your state does not offer online ordering.
A few states charge a small fee (usually $3 to $8) that you pay by credit or debit card during the online order. Others provide the first copy free each year. The record arrives as a PDF or printable document within minutes to a few hours.
Requesting your history by mail or in person
If you prefer not to order online or your state does not offer that option, you can request your record by mail or visit a DMV office in person. For mail requests, you will need to fill out a form — usually called a "Driver Record Request" or "Abstract Request" — and mail it to your state DMV along with a check or money order for the fee.
The form is available on your state's DMV website or by calling the DMV. Include your full name, date of birth, driver license number, and current address. Mail requests typically take one to three weeks to arrive, depending on your state's processing time and mail delivery.
In-person requests are the fastest non-online option. Visit your local DMV office with your driver license or state ID, fill out the request form on site, pay the fee, and receive your record the same day — usually within 15 to 30 minutes. No appointment is normally needed, though some states now require one.
What violations and incidents stay on your record
Traffic violations, accidents, and license suspensions all appear on your driver license history, but how long they remain varies by state and violation type. Minor infractions like speeding or a parking ticket might stay for 3 to 5 years in some states but 7 to 10 years in others. More serious violations like reckless driving, DUI, or hit-and-run can remain for 10 years or longer, sometimes permanently.
Accidents you report to the DMV typically appear for 3 to 7 years, even if you were not at fault. License suspensions and revocations stay on your record for the duration of the suspension plus several years after reinstatement. Some states have different retention periods for different types of records — for example, a suspension might stay for 5 years after it ends, while a minor speeding ticket disappears after 3 years.
Your state DMV website usually lists the retention periods for different violation types. If you are unsure whether something is still on your record, request a copy — that is the only way to know for certain what your current record shows.
Why employers and insurers request your driving record
Employers in transportation, delivery, rideshare, and commercial driving roles routinely request driver license histories to assess safety and liability risk. Insurance companies request them to set your premium and decide whether to cover you at all. Courts may request them in accident or traffic violation cases. Landlords and lenders sometimes request them as part of a background check, though this is less common.
When an employer or insurer requests your record, they typically need your written permission first — usually a signature on a form or consent box during an process. The version they receive is often limited compared to what you see yourself. For example, some states show employers only violations and suspensions, not accidents. Insurance companies may see a slightly different set of data than employers.
If you are denied a job, insurance, or housing based on your driving record, you have the right to know what information was used. Ask the employer, insurer, or landlord to show you the record they received. If it contains errors, you can dispute it with your state DMV.
Correcting errors on your driver license history
If your record shows a violation you did not commit, a suspension that was already lifted, or an accident you did not report, you can dispute it. Start by requesting a copy of your full record to confirm the error. Then contact your state DMV in writing — most states have a dispute or correction form on their website, or you can send a letter explaining the error and what should be corrected instead.
Include copies of any documents that support your claim — a court dismissal, proof of reinstatement, or a letter from the officer who issued the ticket. The DMV will investigate and either correct the record or explain why the information is accurate. This process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
If the DMV refuses to correct an error you believe is wrong, you may be able to appeal or file a complaint with your state's Attorney General office. Some states also allow you to add a written statement to your record explaining your side of a disputed item, even if the DMV does not remove it.
How long records are kept and what happens after you stop driving
Your driver license history does not disappear when your license expires or you stop driving. Most states keep records indefinitely, though they may move older records to inactive storage. If you renew your license years later, your full history comes back up with it.
Some states purge very old records — for example, records more than 20 or 30 years old with no recent activity — but this is uncommon. Even if your state does purge old records, violations and suspensions from your active driving years typically remain as long as your license is valid or can be renewed.
If you move to a new state, your old state's record stays with that state's DMV. Your new state will create a new record for you. If you need your history from a previous state, you can request it from that state's DMV even if you no longer live there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what my insurance company or employer saw when they requested my record?
Not automatically. You can request your own full record from the DMV, but the version an employer or insurer received may be different — they may see fewer details or a filtered version. If you were denied coverage or a job based on your driving record, you have the right to ask that company what information they received and to see a copy of it.
How do I remove a violation from my record?
You cannot remove a violation yourself, but you can dispute it if it is inaccurate. If the violation was dismissed in court, you can provide proof of dismissal to your DMV and request correction. Some states also allow you to petition for record expungement after a certain number of years have passed with no new violations, though this is rare and usually requires a lawyer.
Does my driving record include parking tickets?
Parking tickets do not appear on your driver license history kept by the DMV. Your DMV record shows only moving violations (speeding, running a red light, reckless driving) and accidents. Parking tickets are tracked separately by the city or county that issued them.
What if I request my record and it shows nothing?
A blank or minimal record means you have no violations, suspensions, or reported accidents on file with your state DMV. This is a clean record. If you believe something should be on it — for example, you know you received a ticket — contact your local court or the police department that issued the ticket to confirm it was reported to the DMV.
Can I request someone else's driving record?
Not without their permission. Your state DMV will not release another person's record to you unless you have a court order or are a lawyer, insurance company, or employer with written consent from that person. Some states allow limited public access to certain records, but this varies widely.