How to Get a Copy of Your Driving Record (and Why You Should)

Your driving record can have an impact on a lot of things, from employability to insurance rates to whether you are legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle. Knowing the status of your record and your driver’s license is critical. In most cases, you probably have a mental record of what infractions you’ve gotten, including speeding tickets or citations for other moving violations. Even if you think you have a pretty good idea of what your motor vehicle record looks like, pulling your driving record to check for errors is a smart step to take before applying for a job or renewing your insurance.

There are several strategies you can use to check your driving record. One option is to work through your state’s DMV to order a certified copy of your record. If you need an official copy of your record, this method is the way to go. If you do not need a certified copy, or if you are requesting your record to check its accuracy for your own peace of mind, working through the DMV might not be worth the time or hassle. The DMV has a reputation for being slow and disorganized—but luckily you have other options, too.

At backgroundchecks.com, we offer an easy way for people to check their own driving records online. Our database offers instant availability for motor vehicle reports in 27 states as well as Washington, D.C. Our database includes New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

To order a self-check on your motor vehicle record, visit our page for personal driving record searches and select the state where you live or where you would like to have the check run. As you scroll down the page, you will be asked to provide a few pieces of personal information, including first name, last name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and the street address linked to the driver’s license in question. Once you have inputted this inform, click the green button that says, “Start your search” and we will generate an instant motor vehicle record report for you.

Conducting this type of check will show you the same basic information employers, state agencies, or insurance companies would see if they pulled your driving history. A driving report from backgroundchecks.com will include crucial information about your driving record as it currently stands, including:

• Suspensions
• Violations and codes
• Driving Status
• Points
• Fines
• License classification
• Endorsements

If your license has been suspended—or is in danger of being suspended if you get another speeding ticket—you will be able to see that information on your driving check report. If there are any items you believe to be errors listed on your  record , such as moving violations you don’t recall receiving, a driving record check can help you to identify those problems before they lead to higher insurance rates or other consequences. You can contact the DMV in your state to rectify any inaccuracies with your record.