How to Do a Nationwide Driving Record Check

There are several ways to check on someone else's driving history.

Checking a driving record is not difficult if you are requesting your own driving history. You may run into complications if you want to do a nationwide driving record check on someone else. Some states treat driving records as public information, so all it takes is a written request to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain a copy of someone else's record. Other states require certain criteria for you to meet along with a valid reason as to why you want the information.

Instructions

1. Obtain personal information about the individual whose driving record you want to check. When requesting someone else's record, you will need the person's name, driver's license number, or state identification number and date of birth.

2. Contact the DMV to get a record's request form. The form often can be downloaded from the website of the DMV in the state in which the individual lived or is currently living. There are fees associated with filing the form. All states require written requests for records. In some states, you will need to have what the DMV considers a valid reason for requesting someone else's driving record. DMV grants requests to courts, government agencies, potential employers, attorneys, private investigators, insurance companies, news media, car rental companies, and law enforcement agencies because the individuals are in some way associated with them. If you do not meet the criteria DMV sets to have your request approved, you may be required to get written permission from the person whose driver's record you are requesting.

3. Conduct a background check. If a DMV has denied your initial request or you have multiple states to check for driving records, companies can be found online that can obtain information from a database of public records. The costs for these services vary, depending on how extensive a search you want to conduct. Compare the companies that you find, the type of information they can provide to you and how much they will charge for the background check.

4. Hire an attorney or private investigator. Depending on your reason for wanting to do a nationwide driving record check and if you have been unsuccessful in doing the research yourself, you may want to hire professionals to do the job for you. DMVs generally grant drivers license requests to attorneys and private investigators.

References

• Washington State Licensing: Request Another Person's Driving Record
• Driving License Records
• SOS: Requesting Another Person's Record