A motor vehicle history report is a record of your driving activity maintained by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), not the same thing as your driver's license itself.
Your driver's license is the card you carry that proves you are legally permitted to drive. Your motor vehicle history report — sometimes called a driving record, motor vehicle record (MVR), or abstract — is a separate document that lists violations, accidents, suspensions, and other incidents tied to your license number. The two are connected but serve different purposes. Your license shows who you are and what classes of vehicles you can operate. Your history report shows what you have done while driving.
When you request your own motor vehicle history report, you are asking your state DMV for a copy of what they have on file about your driving. This is different from what an insurance company, employer, or court sees when they request the same report. Your state controls what information appears on each version and who can see it.
Key Takeaways
- Your motor vehicle history report is maintained by your state DMV and contains violations, accidents, license suspensions, and points — not your driver's license itself.
- You can request your own driving record directly from your state DMV by mail, online, or in person, and the process takes one to two weeks in most states.
- Insurance companies and employers see versions of your record that may include more or less detail than what you see, depending on state law and what they are permitted to request.
- Points, suspensions, and violations stay on your record for three to ten years depending on your state and the type of incident.
What appears on your motor vehicle history report
A standard motor vehicle history report includes moving violations (speeding, running a red light, reckless driving), at-fault accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUI or DWI convictions, and points assessed by your state. It also shows the date each incident occurred and, usually, the date it will drop off your record. Non-moving violations like parking tickets typically do not appear unless they led to a suspension.
The exact contents depend on your state's rules. Some states show the disposition of each ticket (paid, dismissed, convicted). Others show only convictions. Some include warnings; most do not. Insurance companies and employers often see a different version than you do — they may see more detail about accidents or less detail about dismissed charges, depending on what your state allows them to access.
How to request your own driving record from your state DMV
Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles directly. Most states offer three ways to request your record: online through the DMV website, by mail with a form and payment, or in person at a local DMV office. Online is fastest — many states deliver the record within one to three business days. Mail requests usually take one to two weeks. In-person requests at a DMV office can be when ready if you wait while they print it.
You will need to provide your driver's license number, full name, date of birth, and current address. Some states ask for your Social Security number. Payment is typically $5 to $15, though some states offer one free copy per year. Check your state DMV's website for the exact process, fees, and turnaround time — these vary significantly by state.
How long violations and accidents stay on your record
The length of time an incident remains on your motor vehicle history report depends on your state and the type of violation. Minor violations like speeding usually stay for three to five years. At-fault accidents typically remain for three to seven years. DUI convictions often stay for ten years or longer. License suspensions drop off once the suspension ends, but the underlying violation may remain longer.
Some states allow you to petition for early removal of certain violations if you have a clean record afterward, but this is not automatic. Check your state DMV's rules about how long specific incidents remain visible and whether you have options to remove them sooner.
Why employers and insurance companies request your motor vehicle history
Employers in transportation, delivery, rideshare, and commercial driving roles routinely request motor vehicle history reports as part of hiring. They want to know about suspensions, DUI convictions, and patterns of violations. Insurance companies request reports to set your rates — more violations and accidents usually mean higher premiums. Lenders sometimes request reports when you explore for a car loan.
When these organizations request your record, they often see a version tailored to their purpose. An insurance company may see accident history but not dismissed traffic tickets. An employer may see suspensions but not minor speeding violations. Your state determines what each type of requester can access. You have the right to know what was reported about you — many states require employers and insurers to tell you if they took action based on your driving record.
The difference between your driving record and your credit report
Your motor vehicle history report and your credit report are completely separate. Your driving record shows traffic violations, accidents, and license status. Your credit report shows payment history, debt, and financial behavior. A DUI conviction appears on your driving record but not your credit report. A missed car payment appears on your credit report but not your driving record. Both can affect your insurance rates, but they measure different things.
If you are checking your record because you are concerned about insurance or employment, request both your driving record from your state DMV and your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). You can get one free credit report per year at annualcreditreport.com.
What to do if you find errors on your motor vehicle history report
If your driving record contains an error — a violation you did not commit, an accident listed twice, or a suspension that should have ended — contact your state DMV in writing. Provide the specific error, the correct information, and any supporting documents (court records, police reports, proof of payment). The DMV will investigate and correct the record if the error is confirmed.
Errors are uncommon but do happen, especially when violations are dismissed or when records from different counties are merged. The process to correct an error usually takes two to four weeks. Keep copies of everything you send and follow up if you do not hear back within the timeframe your state specifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does requesting my own driving record hurt my record or show up anywhere?
No. Requesting your own motor vehicle history report does not affect your record, lower your insurance rates, or create any kind of inquiry that shows up elsewhere. You are straightforward asking your state DMV for information they already have about you.
Can I see what my insurance company or employer saw when they checked my record?
Not directly. However, if an insurance company or employer took action against you based on your driving record, many states require them to tell you what they found. If you were denied a job or quoted a high rate, ask the organization what information they used. You can then request your full record from the DMV to compare.
How do I remove a violation from my driving record early?
Most states do not allow early removal of violations — they stay for the time period set by law. Some states offer traffic school or defensive driving courses that reduce points or hide a violation from your insurance company, but the violation remains on your official record. A few states allow petition for removal after a certain period of clean driving. Check your state DMV's website for your specific options.
Will a dismissed traffic ticket still appear on my motor vehicle history report?
It depends on your state. Some states show only convictions, so a dismissed ticket does not appear. Others show all tickets, including dismissed ones. When insurance companies or employers request your record, they may see different information than you do. Request your own record to see what appears in your state's version.
How often should I check my motor vehicle history report?
There is no set rule, but checking once a year or before major events (job applications, insurance renewal, loan applications) is reasonable. This gives you time to catch errors and understand what others will see about your driving history.