How to Check if Your License Has a Bad Driving Record
A poor driving record can raise your rates for auto insurance and affect your ability to get a job. Many employers include a search of your driving record as part of their background check. Some even require that you have a clean driving record as a condition of employment for certain jobs. In addition to your driving record, there are several other documents reflecting your driving history you can check at no cost. Review your records on a regular basis to ensure that insurance companies and prospective employers have the most accurate information.
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Instructions
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Obtain a copy of your driving record from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Depending upon the state, you can order your record online, by phone or by visiting a DMV office. You will need to provide your driver's license number and social security number as proof of your identity. It may take up to 30 days to get your record by mail. If your state offers online access to your record, you may be able to obtain it immediately. Some states charge a fee for this service. Contact your state's DMV website or DMV office for specific details.
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Review your driving record to confirm that the information is correct. Your report will describe the procedure for contacting your state's DMV if you discover any errors. Correct any mistakes as soon as possible. If any details are incorrect, including the dates of accidents or convictions, you could be paying more money than necessary for your auto insurance.
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Order a copy of your Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) auto report from LexisNexis. CLUE provides a history of any loss claims you made through your auto insurance company over the past seven years. Insurance companies use this report to assess your risk and assign a rate to your policy. This report may contain different information than your driving record, because it can include details of car accidents even if you did not receive a ticket from the police. You can order a free report once a year. Contact your insurance company if the information is incorrect.
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Request a file check from the National Driver Registry (NDR) to determine if your name is in their database. This database only includes the names of drivers with revoked or suspended licenses or who have been convicted of serious violations such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can obtain this information at no cost by mailing a notarized letter to the NDR.
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Tips & Warnings
Order a copy of your driving record through a third-party provider if you need your record quickly or want to avoid the inconvenience of contacting your state's DMV. For a fee, these companies promise to provide you with a copy of your record through their website or by mail, often faster than you can obtain one on your own. However, you still have to contact your state's DMV yourself if you have questions regarding your report.
If you receive a ticket for speeding or another moving violation while out-of-state, that information may be added to your driving record in your home state and sent to your insurance company.
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