How to find your endorsements online or by mail
You can check your driving licence endorsements through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, by phone, or by requesting a copy of your driving record in person. Most states let you look up your own record online for free using your licence number and date of birth. Some states charge a small fee — usually $5 to $10 — if you request a printed copy by mail or in person. The fastest method is almost always the online portal, which shows results in seconds.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call your state DMV directly. Have your licence number, full name, and date of birth ready. A staff member can tell you what endorsements are listed and whether any have been suspended or removed. Some states also let you visit a local DMV office and request a printout on the spot.
Key Takeaways
- Your state DMV website is the fastest way to check endorsements — most show results when ready using your licence number and birth date.
- Endorsements appear on your driving record, not always on the physical card itself, so an online check often reveals more detail than looking at the card.
- If an endorsement is missing that you earned, you may need to retake the written or skills test for that class before it can be restored.
- Suspension of an endorsement is different from suspension of your whole licence — you may still drive non-commercial vehicles while a CDL endorsement is suspended.
- Some states charge $5 to $10 for a printed copy of your record, but the online version is usually free.
What your online record shows that your card does not
Your physical driving licence card displays your endorsements in a small box or line, but the full record kept by your state DMV contains much more. The online record shows the date each endorsement was issued, whether it has ever been suspended or revoked, any restrictions tied to it, and the exact reason for any suspension. This detail matters because an endorsement can be suspended without your knowing — for example, if you fail a medical exam or rack up too many violations in a commercial vehicle.
The card also does not show endorsements that have been removed or expired. If you earned a hazmat (H) endorsement five years ago but it lapsed because you did not renew it, the card will not list it, but your online record will show the history. This is useful if you are trying to remember what you were once certified to carry or if you are disputing a claim that you never had a certain endorsement.
Steps to check your record through your state DMV website
Go to your state's DMV website and look for a link labeled "Check Driving Record," "View My Record," "Driving Record Inquiry," or "License Status." The exact wording varies by state. Click that link and you will usually land on a page that asks for your licence number and date of birth. Some states also ask for your Social Security number or the last four digits of it for security.
Enter the information and submit. Within seconds, your record will appear on screen. Look for a section labeled "Endorsements," "Class and Endorsements," or "Restrictions and Endorsements." This section will list every endorsement you currently hold, the date it was issued, and any notes about suspension or removal. If you see an endorsement marked "suspended" or "revoked," that is the key information you need — it means you cannot legally use that endorsement until it is restored.
If your state's website does not offer an online lookup, call the DMV directly at the number listed on the website. Have your licence number and date of birth ready, and ask specifically about your endorsements and whether any are suspended or restricted.
What to do if an endorsement is missing or suspended
If you earned an endorsement but it no longer appears on your record, the most common reason is that it expired and was not renewed. CDL endorsements like hazmat (H), passenger (P), and tanker (N) require periodic renewal — usually every five years — and some require a medical certificate or background check. If yours has lapsed, you will need to retake the written test and pay the renewal fee to restore it. Some states let you renew by mail or online; others require an in-person visit.
If an endorsement is listed as suspended, you cannot use it until the suspension is lifted. Suspensions happen for reasons like failing a medical exam, accumulating too many violations in a commercial vehicle, or being convicted of a disqualifying offense. Contact your DMV to find out why the suspension was issued and what steps you need to take to have it removed. In some cases you must wait out a set period; in others you must pass a new test or provide proof of a medical clearance.
The difference between a suspended endorsement and a suspended licence
A suspended endorsement is not the same as a suspended licence. If your CDL endorsement is suspended — say, your hazmat endorsement — you can still drive a commercial vehicle for other purposes. You just cannot haul hazmat cargo. Your licence itself remains valid for driving Class A, B, or C vehicles (depending on your licence class) without that endorsement.
A suspended licence, by contrast, means you cannot drive any vehicle legally until the suspension is lifted. If your entire CDL is suspended, you cannot drive commercial vehicles at all. When you check your record online, look carefully at whether the suspension applies to the whole licence or just to a specific endorsement. The online record will usually make this clear by saying "CDL Suspended" or "Endorsement [letter] Suspended."
Checking your record if you have moved to a new state
If you moved to a new state and transferred your CDL, your old state's DMV no longer maintains your active record — your new state does. Check your record through your current state's DMV website using your new licence number. Your new state's system will show all endorsements that transferred when you moved, plus any new ones you have earned since.
If you need to see your record from your old state for any reason — for example, to prove you held an endorsement at a certain date — you can request it directly from that state's DMV. Most states charge a fee for historical records and may take one to two weeks to mail them. For most purposes, your current state's record is all you need.
Why employers and insurance companies ask to see your record
Your physical licence card shows your endorsements, but employers and insurance companies often ask for a copy of your official driving record instead. The reason is that the card does not show suspensions, restrictions, or the full history. An employer hiring you for a hazmat job needs to know not just that you have an H endorsement, but that it is currently active and has never been suspended for a violation. An insurance company pricing your commercial auto policy wants to see whether you have accumulated violations or had endorsements suspended.
When asked to provide your record, order an official copy from your DMV — usually available online or by mail — rather than just showing the physical card. The official record is what employers and insurers are actually looking for, and it carries legal weight if there is ever a dispute about what you were certified to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No, not through the public online lookup. Most states restrict access to your own record only. An employer or insurance company can request your record with your permission, and law enforcement can access it for official purposes, but you cannot look up another person's endorsements without their consent and a valid reason.
How often should I check my endorsements?
Check your record at least once a year, or whenever you renew your licence. Also check it if you receive a notice from your DMV about a suspension or violation, or if an employer or insurance company questions your endorsements. Regular checks help you catch problems early — like a lapsed endorsement — before they affect your job.
What if my online record shows an endorsement I never earned?
Contact your DMV when ready. Errors do happen — a data entry mistake or a record merge from a name change can cause this. Bring your licence and any documentation of what you actually earned, and ask the DMV to correct the record. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks.
Do I need to check my record before renewing my CDL?
Yes. Check your record before you renew to see which endorsements are active and which have expired. This tells you which tests you need to retake and which fees you will owe. It also gives you a chance to catch any errors before you submit your renewal process.
Will checking my own record affect my driving record or insurance?
No. Looking up your own record is a soft inquiry and does not show up on your record or affect your insurance rates. Only violations, accidents, and suspensions issued by the DMV appear on your record.