What's on your Texas driving record and how to get it

Your Texas driving record is a document maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) that shows your driving history within the state. It includes traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions or revocations, and convictions for traffic offenses. The record does not include accidents where you were not at fault unless you reported them to police, and it does not show violations from other states unless Texas received notice through interstate reporting systems.

You can obtain your driving record in three ways: online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The online method is fastest — you can order and read your record the same day. By mail, the process takes five to ten business days. In person, you can walk out with a copy when ready if you bring a valid ID and payment.

The DPS charges a small fee for each record request, typically a few dollars. The fee varies slightly depending on whether you order online, by mail, or in person. You will need your Texas driver's license number or Social Security number to request the record.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Texas driving record shows traffic violations, reported accidents, license actions, and convictions — but not accidents where you were not at fault unless you reported them.
  • You can order your record online through the DPS website and read it the same day, or request it by mail in five to ten business days.
  • The DPS charges a fee for each record request, and you will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to order.
  • Insurance companies, employers, and courts can request your record, so checking it yourself helps you spot errors or outdated information before others see it.

How to order your record online

Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website and look for the driver record request section. You will enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and show you a preview of your record before you pay.

After you pay the fee online, you can read your record when ready as a PDF. This is the fastest method if you need the record for a job process, court appearance, or insurance matter. Keep a copy for your records — you may need to show it multiple times.

If you do not have a Texas driver's license or cannot access the online system, you can request a record by mail or in person instead.

What violations and actions appear on your record

Traffic violations stay on your Texas record for three years from the conviction date, though some violations remain longer. Speeding, running a red light, improper lane change, and failure to yield are common violations that appear. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or DWI (driving while intoxicated) remain visible for longer periods and have greater impact on insurance rates and employment decisions.

License suspensions and revocations appear on your record and show the reason — whether for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical reasons, or alcohol-related offenses. Accidents you reported to police appear even if you were not at fault, but they do not count as violations unless you were cited for a traffic offense related to the accident.

Points assigned by the state for certain violations also show on your record. Texas uses a point system where accumulating too many points in a short time can trigger a license suspension. You can request a point reduction through a defensive driving course in some cases.

Reading and checking for errors on your record

Your Texas driving record lists each violation or action with the date, location, violation code, and disposition (whether you paid, were convicted, or the case was dismissed). Review each entry carefully. Common errors include violations listed under the wrong date, violations that were dismissed but still appear as convictions, or violations from other drivers mistakenly added to your record.

If you spot an error, contact the DPS directly with documentation showing the mistake. For violations that were dismissed or reduced, bring court documents proving the outcome. For violations from other drivers, you may need to provide your driver's license and proof of identity. The DPS can correct errors, but the process takes time — usually two to four weeks.

Check your record before explore for jobs, insurance, or professional licenses. Catching errors early prevents them from affecting your opportunities.

How your record affects insurance and employment

Insurance companies request your driving record when you explore for auto insurance or renew your policy. Violations, accidents, and suspensions increase your premiums. A single speeding ticket may raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent, while a DWI conviction can double or triple your premium for three to five years. Some insurers will not cover drivers with recent serious violations.

Employers in transportation, delivery, rideshare, and commercial driving positions always request your record. A suspended license, DWI conviction, or pattern of violations can disqualify you from these jobs. Even employers outside transportation may check your record for positions involving company vehicles or client transportation.

Professional licenses — for real estate agents, commercial drivers, security personnel, and other regulated professions — require a clean or nearly clean driving record. A conviction may delay or prevent licensure depending on the offense and the licensing board's rules.

Clearing violations and improving your record

You cannot remove violations from your Texas record, but you can reduce their impact. Completing a defensive driving course within 30 days of receiving a traffic ticket can result in the ticket being dismissed and not appearing on your record. You are limited to one course dismissal every 12 months and three dismissals in a lifetime.

If you were convicted of a minor traffic violation years ago, the violation will eventually age off your record. Most violations drop off after three years, though DWI convictions and serious offenses remain longer. You cannot request early removal, but time naturally reduces the visibility of older violations.

Paying traffic fines promptly and avoiding new violations is the most direct way to improve your record. If you have unpaid fines, your license may be suspended — paying them restores your driving privileges and prevents further damage to your record.

Requesting someone else's record

You cannot request another person's driving record without their permission, with limited exceptions. Insurance companies, employers, courts, and government agencies can request records as part of their official duties. If you need someone else's record for a legal matter, you typically must go through the court system or hire an attorney.

If you are an employer or insurance company needing records for multiple drivers, the DPS offers batch request services. Contact the DPS directly for information about commercial account setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do violations stay on my Texas driving record?

Most traffic violations remain on your record for three years from the conviction date. DWI convictions, license suspensions, and serious violations like reckless driving stay longer — typically five to ten years depending on the offense. Accidents you reported appear indefinitely but do not count as violations unless you were cited.

Can I remove a violation from my record if I was not guilty?

If your case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, contact the DPS with a copy of the court order showing the dismissal. The DPS can remove dismissed violations from your record, though the correction takes two to four weeks. Bring documentation from the court to speed up the process.

What if I find an error on my record?

Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety with proof of the error — such as a court document, citation showing a different outcome, or evidence the violation belongs to another driver. Include your driver's license number and a written explanation. Corrections typically take two to four weeks.

Does my Texas record show violations from other states?

Texas receives reports of serious violations from other states through the Interstate Compact system, so major convictions like DWI may appear on your Texas record. Minor violations from other states typically do not show unless you were convicted in Texas court for the same offense.

How much does it cost to get my driving record?

The Texas DPS charges a small fee for each record request — typically between three and five dollars depending on the request method. Online requests and in-person requests at a DPS office cost the same. Mail requests may have a slightly different fee structure.