Your driving history is a big factor that insurance companies consider when calculating premiums. A clean driving record means lower premiums, while a history of accidents and traffic tickets means higher rates.
Suppose you want to review your complete driver history or compare insurance quotes. In that case, knowing how to access and read your driving record is good.
How Do I Check My Driving Record?
Verifying your driving record is essential, especially when it’s required for employment, insurance assessment, or personal review. Knowing what type of driving record you need is the first step in the process.
Driving records come in different formats: standard, complete, or certified. Each has a different level of detail and serves a purpose.
These records provide information on violation points, accident history, and overall driver status, which helps in getting the necessary documents.
With technology advancing, many states now offer online access to driving records.
Visit the official website of your local government agency, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and go to the driving record section.
Create an online account and request your driver history record.
For those who prefer or need in-person assistance, visiting the local motor vehicle agency office is another option. You can present a valid ID, fill out the required request forms, and either get your record immediately or request your driver’s record by mail.
What Are the Different Types of Driving Records?
Driving records are a documented driver history report of a driver’s on-road behavior. However, the details and classification of these motor vehicle records can vary by state and the requesting party. Here are the common types of driving records:
1. Standard Driving Record
- Used for personal review, insurance applications, and employment background checks.
- This file contains the license holder name, Height, Eye color, Driver license photograph, License status, violation points, vehicle registrations, a summary of traffic violations and accidents, and a few years.
2. Full Driving Record
- Used for Official or legal purposes.
- Contains: A driver’s history includes vehicle records from several years or decades.
3. Commercial Driving Record
- Used for Commercial driver license holder, employment.
- It contains commercial driver license violations, vehicle, operation, endorsements, and accident history.
4. Certified Driving Record
- Used for Legal proceedings and official verifications.
- It contains an official certification, stamp, or seal verifying the information.
5. Insurance Abstract
- Used for Insurance companies to assess risk for premiums and underwriting purposes.
- It contains accident history, traffic violations, departmental actions, and other factors that affect insurance rates.
6. Employer Driving Record
- Used for Employers to verify the driving history of potential employees for driving jobs.
- It contains license status, driving infractions, and accident reports to assess reliability and safety.
7. H6 Printout or 10-Year Driving Record
- Used for Employers or legal entities to review driving history.
- It contains a summary of the driver’s activity for the past 10 years and a long-term view of the driver’s driving history.
8. 3-Year Driving Record
- Used for Individuals, employers, and insurance companies for short-term review.
- This file contains Violations, accidents, and other details from the last three years. Names and availability may vary by state. Contact your local DMV.
These record types' specific names and availability may vary depending on local laws and regulations. It is advisable to check with your local or state motor vehicle agency for accurate and up-to-date information regarding driving record requests.
Why Do Car Insurance Companies Check Driving Records?
Car insurance companies use driving records as a key tool to evaluate a driver’s history and risk level as a policyholder. A driving record shows a driver’s driving behavior, including traffic tickets, accidents, and accumulated points.
Insurers use this data to predict the likelihood of a driver getting into another accident or committing more violations. Drivers with clean records and minimal infractions are classified as lower risk and get lower rates, while drivers with a history of frequent violations or accidents get higher rates.
Beyond rate calculations, a driver’s record can also impact policy approval and eligibility. Some insurance companies have strict underwriting guidelines, so drivers with serious infractions—multiple DUIs, severe violations, or a pattern of accidents—may be too high risk to insure. In other cases, coverage may still be offered but with higher rates, high-risk policies, or additional conditions.
Many insurers also offer rewards or discounts for a clean driving history. For example, drivers who have gone X number of years without a moving violation or accident may get a safe driver discount. Other incentives include lower deductibles, cash-back rewards, or lower rates. These programs encourage good driving behavior and benefit the insurer and the insured by reducing overall risk.
Once a policy is in force, insurance companies review policyholders' driving records periodically to reevaluate their risk classification. Suppose a driver gets new violations or is in another accident. In that case, their rate may go up at renewal, and in some cases, coverage may be reevaluated. A policyholder may become eligible for lower rates if prior infractions expire based on state regulations regarding record retention.
So, a driving record is important during the application process, as well as in policy management, renewals, and eligibility for discounts and benefits.
What is a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)?
An MVR (Motor Vehicle Report), a driving record, is an official document issued by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or a similar state agency. It’s a chronological summary of a driver’s history, including an explanation of driver’s license status, traffic violations, accidents, and points.
MVR Components:
- Personal & License Info – Driver’s name, address, date of birth, license number, classification (commercial, provisional), and status (valid, suspended, revoked).
- Traffic Violations & Traffic Convictions – Infractions include speeding tickets, DUIs, reckless driving, dates, locations, and penalties.
- Accidents & Collisions – At-fault and non-fault incidents, dates, locations, and damages.
- Point System & Endorsements – Accumulated points for violations and special authorizations for vehicle types (motorcycles, commercial vehicles).
Who uses an MVR?
- Employers – Especially in transportation to evaluate driving suitability.
- Insurance Companies – To assess risk and determine policy premiums.
- Legal Authorities – For court proceedings and claims validation.
Why Should You Check Your MVR?
Since MVRs affect insurance rates, job opportunities, and legal decisions, drivers should periodically check for errors or discrepancies. Request corrections from their state motor vehicle agency if needed.
By staying informed and maintaining a clean record, drivers can avoid penalties, receive fair insurance rates, and improve their job prospects.
How Long Do Accidents Stay on My Driving Record?
Accidents stay on your driving record for 3-10 years, depending on the severity of the violation and state laws. Minor infractions are shorter, while more serious ones, like DUI-related accidents, are longer.
Accidents on your record can affect your insurance premiums as insurance companies look at your driving history to determine risk. An accident will still increase your rates even if you weren’t at fault. Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness programs to minimize rate increases, but the accident will still show on your record.
Beyond insurance costs, a history of traffic violations can have consequences for your driving privileges, plus legal and employment outcomes.
Your driving record may be used to gauge your behavior in legal cases. Industries that require safe driving, like transportation services, often review driving records to evaluate a candidate’s driving safety.
While accidents stay on record for a certain period, you can take driver education class to improve your standing such as a driver license related course completion.
Enrolling in driver improvement schools can reduce driver license points on your record in some states.
Practicing safe driving habits and following traffic laws can also prevent new traffic violations. Check your driving record regularly to ensure its accuracy. Knowing your state’s laws and being a good driver can minimize the long-term effects of accidents on your driver’s license record.
How Do I Get A Copy of My Driving Record?
To get your driving record, you need to request it from the right authority, usually the DMV or equivalent driver licensing regional office in your state. The process, fee, and record name (e.g., MVR or Driver License Abstract) vary by state.
Most states offer online access to driving records through their website. You may need to create an account, provide ID details (e.g., your driver’s license or Social Security number), and pay a fee by cash, debit card, credit card, or personal check. The electronic driver record is then emailed or mailed to your registered address.
If online service is unavailable or you prefer to request a person, you can visit a local DMV office. Bring a valid ID, complete the required forms, and pay the fee. Some offices will give you a copy immediately, and others will deliver the complete driver record to you by mail. To avoid delays, check office hours and required documents beforehand.
Third-party services also offer driving record retrieval, usually with expedited processing. But they charge more.
If you use a third-party driver record website, ensure it’s legitimate before you provide your personal information. If unsure, request your driver record directly from a governmental agency.
