Guide
Overview
State Departments of Motor Vehicles maintain records on licensed drivers, registered vehicles, and driving histories. This directory connects you to official DMV resources in every state for driving records, license renewals, vehicle registration status, and local DMV office information.
Guide
Federal Driver and Vehicle Agencies
Driver licenses and driving records come from each state's motor vehicle agency, listed under DMV Records by State below. These federal agencies set the national vehicle safety and commercial driver rules.
- NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationVehicle safety standards, recalls and crash ratings
- FMCSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationTruck and bus safety and commercial driver rules
- How to Get a Commercial Driver's LicenseFederal CDL requirements; the license itself comes from your state
Guide
How to Access DMV Records
DMV records contain vehicle registration history, driver license status, and traffic violations. Access is regulated by federal law (DPPA). This guide explains who can obtain what.
Understand DPPA Restrictions
The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) restricts access to personal information in DMV records to specific permissible purposes, including government functions, court proceedings, law enforcement, insurance underwriting, employment verification (with consent), and certain research uses.
Request Your Own Records
Any driver can obtain their own driving record. Visit your state DMV website, provide your license number, pay the state fee (varies by state, typically under $25), and download your official record.
Employer/Insurance Requests
Employers and insurers can request records with driver consent. Use your state's official motor vehicle record (MVR) request process.
Vehicle History Searches
Vehicle identification number (VIN) searches through NMVTIS show title history, brands, total loss reports and the latest odometer reading. Commercial services like Carfax add service and accident records for a fee.
Request Certified Copies
For legal proceedings, request certified driving records through the DMV. Processing times and fees vary by state and request method.
What Records Are Available
Driving History: violations, suspensions, reported crashes and DUI convictions.
Vehicle Registration: registration status, title transfers and liens; owner names are released only for uses the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act allows.
License Status: whether a license is valid, plus its class, restrictions and endorsements.
VIN Reports: title brands, odometer readings and salvage or total loss history from NMVTIS.
Guide
DMV Records by State
Access driver records, vehicle registration, and license verification in any state.
Straight answers
Common questions about driving records
How do I get my driving record?
Order it from your state DMV, in most states online. Look for Driver Record Request or Motor Vehicle Record on the DMV website, have your driver's license number ready and pay the state fee.
What shows up on a driving record?
Traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUI convictions, points on your license, and current license status including whether it is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
How long do violations stay on a driving record?
It varies by state and violation type. Most minor violations stay three to five years. DUI convictions typically stay five to ten years, and some states keep them permanently.
Can employers check my driving record?
Yes. Employers can request your Motor Vehicle Report through the state DMV, typically with your written consent. This is standard for jobs that involve driving.
How do I check a vehicle history?
Run the VIN through NMVTIS consumer access, in the Vehicle Records section above, for title brands, total loss reports and the latest odometer reading, and through the NHTSA recalls lookup for open recalls. Private vehicle history reports cost more and add service and accident records reported to the company.
Who can access my DMV records?
Under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, a state DMV releases your personal information only for the 14 uses listed in 18 U.S.C. 2721(b), such as government and court use, insurance claims and underwriting, licensed private investigators, employers checking commercial drivers, and any requester with your written consent.
What is a VIN check?
A VIN check runs the 17 character vehicle identification number against records such as NMVTIS, which shows title brands, total loss reports and the latest odometer reading, and NHTSA's recall lookup. Owner names are not shown; the DPPA protects them.
Can I get someone else's DMV records?
Only with a permissible purpose under DPPA. Accessing another person's driving record generally requires their written consent or a qualifying legal purpose under the DPPA.