What a Florida driving record shows and who can see it
Your Florida driving record is a document maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) that lists your driving history in the state. It includes traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions or revocations, points assessed against your license, and any convictions related to driving. The record does not include arrests that did not result in a conviction, parking tickets, or violations that happened outside Florida.
Your record is not private. Insurance companies, employers, courts, and law enforcement can see it. You can also request your own record at any time. Some information on your record — like your Social Security number or medical information — is restricted and only certain organizations can access it.
Key Takeaways
- You can get your Florida driving record online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a Driver License office, and the online method takes minutes.
- Your record shows traffic violations, accidents, license actions, and points, but not arrests without convictions or parking tickets.
- The record costs between $2 and $10 depending on how you order it and whether you need it certified.
- Insurance companies and employers commonly request your record, so checking it yourself first lets you spot errors before they affect you.
- If you find mistakes on your record, you can dispute them through the DHSMV, though the process takes several weeks.
How to order your record online
The fastest way to get your Florida driving record is through the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. Go to the "Driver Records" section and select "Order a Driving Record." You will need your Florida driver license number or your name and date of birth. You can order either an unofficial copy (which arrives in seconds) or a certified copy (which is mailed to you and takes 5 to 7 business days).
The unofficial copy costs $2 and displays on your screen when ready. You can print it or save it as a PDF. The certified copy costs $5 and comes in the mail with an official seal — employers and courts often require this version. You pay by credit card or debit card during the online order.
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to order online, you can call the DHSMV at 1-850-617-3000 to request a record by phone. They will mail it to you, and it takes 5 to 7 business days. The cost is $5 for a certified copy.
Getting your record in person at a Driver License office
You can walk into any Florida Driver License office and request your record on the spot. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to wait — office lines vary by location and time of day. The staff will print an unofficial copy for $2 or order a certified copy for $5 that you can pick up in a few days, or they can mail it to you.
This method makes sense only if you need the record when ready and an office is near you. Check the DHSMV website for office locations and hours before you go. Some offices are open only certain days or have limited hours.
What each section of your record means
Your driving record is divided into sections. The top shows your personal information — name, date of birth, license number, and license class (like Class D for regular passenger vehicles). Below that is your license status, which tells you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or restricted.
The violations section lists every traffic ticket you received in Florida, the date, the violation code, and whether you paid the fine or contested it in court. Next to each violation is a point value — speeding 15 miles over the limit is 3 points, for example. Points stay on your record for 3 years from the violation date, though they do not disappear from the record itself.
The accidents section shows any accident you reported to police or your insurance company. It does not show who was at fault — only that an accident occurred. Below that, any license suspensions or revocations appear with the reason and the dates they were in effect.
How points work and what happens when you accumulate them
Florida assigns points to moving violations. Accumulating too many points in a short time triggers a license suspension. If you get 12 points in 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you get 18 points in 18 months, it is suspended for 3 months. If you get 24 points in 36 months, it is suspended for 12 months.
Points are assigned based on the violation type, not how fast you were going or how serious the officer thought it was. A red light violation is 4 points; reckless driving is 4 points; driving with a suspended license is 6 points. You can reduce points by taking a defensive driving course, which removes up to 4 points from your record, but you can do this only once every 12 months and only if you have not taken the course in the past 5 years.
Checking your record for errors and disputing them
Before an employer or insurance company sees your record, order a copy yourself and read it carefully. Look for violations you do not remember, wrong dates, or tickets that should have been dismissed. Errors do happen — a violation might be listed twice, or a ticket you paid might still show as unpaid.
If you find an error, contact the DHSMV in writing with a description of the mistake and any documents that prove it (like a court dismissal letter or a receipt showing you paid the fine). Mail your dispute to the DHSMV at the address listed on their website. The DHSMV will investigate, which typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. If they find the error, they will correct your record and send you a corrected copy.
If a violation was dismissed in court, the court should have notified the DHSMV, but sometimes the notification gets delayed or lost. Bring a copy of the court order to a Driver License office and ask them to submit a correction request on your behalf.
Why employers and insurance companies request your record
Employers in certain industries — transportation, delivery, rideshare, security — routinely request driving records from job candidates. They use the record to assess whether you are a safe driver and whether your license is valid. A record with multiple violations or a suspended license can disqualify you from a job that requires driving.
Insurance companies request your record when you explore for auto insurance or renew your policy. They use it to calculate your premium — more violations mean higher rates. Some companies will not insure you at all if your record shows recent serious violations like DUI or reckless driving.
If you know your record has violations on it, you can be transparent about them when you explore for a job or insurance. Employers and insurers expect to see violations; what they are looking for is whether you have taken steps to improve (like taking a defensive driving course) and whether you are honest about your history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do violations stay on my Florida driving record?
Violations stay on your record permanently, but points expire after 3 years from the violation date. A violation from 10 years ago will still appear on your record, but it will not count toward a license suspension. Employers and insurers can see the entire history, so older violations may still affect their decisions.
Can I remove a violation from my record if I completed traffic school?
Traffic school does not remove a violation from your record. It may reduce points (up to 4 points removed, once per 12 months) or allow you to avoid a license suspension, but the violation itself stays. Some violations are not may be able to access for traffic school — serious ones like DUI or reckless driving cannot be reduced this way.
What is the difference between an unofficial and certified copy?
An unofficial copy is a printout from the DHSMV website that costs $2 and arrives when ready. A certified copy is an official document with a state seal, costs $5, and is mailed to you or printed at an office. Employers and courts usually require a certified copy because it proves the record came directly from the state.
Does my Florida record show out-of-state violations?
No. Your Florida record shows only violations that occurred in Florida. However, if you were convicted of a serious violation in another state (like DUI), Florida may suspend your license based on that conviction through an interstate agreement. You can check your license status on the DHSMV website to see if any out-of-state action has affected it.
How do I check if my license is currently suspended or valid?
Go to flhsmv.gov and use the "Check License Status" tool. Enter your driver license number and date of birth. The tool will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or restricted. This is faster than ordering a full record if you only need to know your current status.