Where to request your driving record and what you'll receive
Your driving record is held by the province or territory where you have a driver's license, not by a national database. To get a copy, you contact the motor vehicle office in that province directly — there is no single federal source. Each province calls it something different: in Ontario it's a "driver's abstract," in British Columbia it's a "driving record," in Alberta it's a "driver's license record," and so on.
What you receive is a document showing your license status, any convictions or traffic violations, demerit points (where applicable), and suspension history. The record typically covers the past three to five years, though some provinces go back further. You can order it online, by mail, by phone, or in person at a Service Ontario office, a DriveTest centre, or your provincial equivalent.
The cost varies by province — Ontario charges around $15 to $20 for a standard abstract, while other provinces may charge less or more. Processing time also varies: online orders often arrive within days, while mail requests can take two to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Your driving record is kept by your province or territory, and each one has its own request process and naming convention for the document.
- You can order your record online, by mail, by phone, or in person, and the fastest route is usually the online option through your provincial motor vehicle office website.
- The record shows your license status, traffic violations, demerit points, and any suspensions from the past three to five years.
- Cost and processing time depend on your province and the method you choose, so check your provincial office website for current fees and timelines.
How to order online through your provincial motor vehicle office
Most provinces now offer online ordering through their official motor vehicle websites. In Ontario, you go to ServiceOntario.ca, select "Driver and Vehicle Services," and choose "Order a Driver's Abstract." You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method. The abstract is usually delivered by email within one to three business days.
British Columbia uses the DriveBC website; Alberta uses the Service Alberta portal; Manitoba uses the MPI (Manitoba Public Insurance) site. Each province's process is slightly different, but they all require your license number and personal identification. Some provinces allow you to read the record when ready as a PDF, while others mail it to your address on file.
Before you start, confirm you're on your province's official government website — not a third-party service that charges extra fees. The government office itself is always the cheapest and most direct route.
Ordering by mail or phone if online isn't an option
If you don't have internet access or prefer not to order online, you can request your record by mail. You'll typically fill out a form (available on your provincial motor vehicle website), include a copy of your driver's license or other ID, and mail it with payment to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to four weeks depending on volume.
Phone ordering is available in most provinces but usually requires you to provide your license number, date of birth, and payment information over the phone. Some provinces charge a small fee for phone orders. Call your provincial motor vehicle office directly — the number is on your driver's license or on the government website.
In-person requests are the fastest if you have a Service Ontario office, DriveTest centre, or equivalent motor vehicle office near you. You can often walk out with your record the same day, though you may need to wait in line.
What information appears on your driving record
Your driving record shows your current license class (G, G2, M, M2, etc., depending on your province), the date it was issued, and its expiration date. It also lists any traffic convictions — speeding, careless driving, failure to yield, and so on — along with the date of each conviction and any demerit points assigned.
If you've had a license suspension or administrative suspension (for unpaid fines, for example), that appears on the record. Some provinces also show whether you've had any collisions, though this varies. The record does not show your full driving history from birth — it typically covers the past three to five years, with older records archived separately.
Demerit points are province-specific. Ontario uses a system where you accumulate points for violations and lose your license if you reach a threshold (usually 15 points). Other provinces have different systems or no demerit system at all. Your record will show your current demerit point total if your province uses one.
Why employers, insurers, and courts request driving records
Employers in transportation, delivery, or any role involving driving often request your record as part of hiring or background checks. Insurance companies use it to set your premium — a record with multiple violations will result in higher rates. Courts may request it in traffic cases or civil lawsuits involving a vehicle.
Landlords occasionally request driving records as part of a rental process, though this is less common. Some professional licensing bodies (for taxi drivers, for example) require a clean record. If you're explore for a job or insurance and they ask for your record, you can order it yourself and provide it to them, or you can authorize them to request it directly from the province.
A clean record — no violations, suspensions, or collisions — is valuable. If you have violations on your record, they typically age off after three to five years, depending on your province and the severity of the violation.
Correcting errors on your driving record
If your record contains an error — a conviction that wasn't yours, a suspension that was already lifted, or incorrect personal information — you can dispute it. Contact your provincial motor vehicle office and explain the error. You'll likely need to provide documentation: a court order overturning a conviction, proof of payment for a fine, or a corrected license if your name or address changed.
The process varies by province. Some allow you to submit a dispute form online; others require you to visit in person or mail documentation. Processing times for corrections can range from a few days to several weeks. If the error is the province's mistake, there is usually no charge to correct it.
If a conviction appears on your record but you believe it was wrongly recorded, you may need to provide a copy of the court judgment or a letter from the court confirming the correction. Keep copies of all correspondence with the motor vehicle office in case you need to follow up.
Provincial contacts and websites for ordering your record
| Province/Territory | Office Name | Website | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ServiceOntario | ServiceOntario.ca | $15–$20 |
| British Columbia | DriveBC / ICBC | DriveBC.ca | $10–$15 |
| Alberta | Service Alberta | ServiceAlberta.ca | $15–$20 |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) | MPI.mb.ca | $10–$15 |
| Saskatchewan | SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) | SGI.sk.ca | $10–$15 |
| Quebec | SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec) | SAAQ.gouv.qc.ca | $15–$25 |
| Nova Scotia | Service Nova Scotia | ServiceNS.ca | $10–$15 |
| New Brunswick | Service New Brunswick | ServiceNB.ca | $10–$15 |
Costs and processing times listed above are approximate and subject to change. Check your provincial office website for current fees and delivery options before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my driving record?
Online orders typically arrive within one to three business days by email. Mail requests take two to four weeks. In-person requests at a motor vehicle office can be completed the same day, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Can I order someone else's driving record?
No, you can only order your own record. If an employer or insurer needs your record, you can authorize them to request it directly from the province, or you can order it yourself and provide it to them. Some provinces allow third parties to request records with written consent from the license holder.
What if I've moved to a different province?
Your record stays with the province that issued your license. If you move and get a new license in a different province, your old record remains in the original province. You can still order it from there. Your new province will have its own record for violations committed after you moved.
Do traffic tickets show up on my driving record right away?
No. A ticket does not appear on your record until it is convicted or paid. If you contest a ticket in court and win, it will not appear on your record at all. If you pay the fine or are convicted, it typically appears within one to three weeks, depending on how quickly the court reports it to the motor vehicle office.
How long do violations stay on my driving record?
Most violations remain on your record for three to five years from the date of conviction, depending on your province and the severity of the violation. Some serious offences (like impaired driving) may stay longer. Check your provincial motor vehicle office website for the specific retention period in your province.