Does Your Driving Record Carry With You After You Are No Longer a Minor?

Driving records carry with you

Your driving record does carry with you even if you are no longer are minor. State vehicle departments generally do not distinguish a minor from an adult when it comes to driving records.

Significance

Driving records are maintained from the beginning of a driver's experience until the end with no interruptions. Turning 18 has no effect on someone's driving record.

DUI Factor

Vehicle departments only recognize a motor vehicle operator's age in cases of driving under the influence (DUI) or operating under the influence (OUI). In those cases, the penalties are usually more severe and long-lasting for drivers under the age of 21.

Reported Driving Records

"Reported" driving record violations can be erased with time. 'Reported' driving record violations are the violations an insurer can obtain to determine a driver's insurance costs. For example, California driving record violations are reported for three years in instances of accidents, traffic violations, negligent operation violations, and failure to appear in court violations. Driving record violations are reported for 10 years in instances of two point traffic violations, DUI convictions, and failure to appear in court for DUI.

References

• Retention of Driver Record Information Reported Information and Reporting Periods
• Texas Driver Record Request
• Important Information about Privacy and Access to DMV Records