What a driver license accident check actually tells you
A driver license accident check pulls your driving record — a document that shows accidents, traffic violations, and license suspensions tied to your name and license number. It does not predict whether you will have an accident. It is a history of what has already happened on your record, kept by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency.
Your driving record matters because it affects your insurance rates, your ability to get hired for jobs that require driving, and whether you can keep your license. Insurance companies check it before setting your premium. Employers check it before hiring you as a driver. And if you are explore for certain types of licenses — like a commercial driver's license (CDL) — the state will review your record to decide whether to issue one.
You can request your own driving record yourself, and you should know how, because you may spot errors that need correcting before they cost you money or a job offer.
Key Takeaways
- Your driving record is maintained by your state's DMV and shows accidents, violations, and license actions for the past three to five years, though the exact timeframe varies by state.
- You can request your own record in person at your local DMV, by mail, online through your state's DMV website, or sometimes by phone.
- Errors on your driving record — wrong accident dates, violations you did not commit, or accidents that were not your fault — can be corrected by filing a dispute with your state DMV.
- Insurance companies and employers will see your driving record, so checking it yourself first lets you know what they will see and catch mistakes before they affect your rates or job prospects.
- Minor violations and accidents typically stay on your record for three to seven years depending on your state; serious violations may remain longer.
How to request your own driving record
The fastest way to get your record is through your state's DMV website. Most states now offer online ordering, where you enter your license number, date of birth, and sometimes the last four digits of your Social Security number. You pay a small fee (usually $5 to $15) and receive a copy by mail within one to two weeks, or sometimes when ready as a PDF read.
If your state does not offer online ordering, you can request your record in person at any DMV office. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay the same small fee. You will walk out with a copy the same day. Some states also accept mail requests — you fill out a form, mail it with payment, and receive your record by mail.
A few states allow phone requests, though this is less common. Call your state DMV's main number and ask whether you can order your driving record by phone; they will tell you what information you need to provide and how long it takes to arrive.
What information appears on your driving record
Your driving record shows your license number, full name, date of birth, address on file, and the class of license you hold. Below that is a chronological list of incidents: traffic violations (speeding, running a red light, reckless driving), accidents you were involved in, license suspensions or revocations, and any points or fines assessed.
Each entry includes the date of the incident, the location, a brief description, and sometimes the fine amount or points added. If you were in an accident, the record may note whether you were at fault or not at fault, though this depends on whether a police report was filed and how the state classifies it.
The record does not include incidents from before a certain date — most states show only the past three to seven years. Older violations drop off automatically once they age out, though serious violations like DUI may stay longer.
How to correct errors on your driving record
If you spot an error — an accident you were not in, a violation you did not commit, or an accident listed as your fault when it was not — you can file a dispute with your state DMV. The process varies slightly by state, but the basic steps are the same.
First, gather evidence. If the error is about an accident, get a copy of the police report from the police department that responded. If the accident was not your fault, the report should reflect that. If the error is about a violation you did not commit, gather any documents that prove you were not the driver — a receipt showing you were elsewhere, a witness statement, or a court document dismissing the charge.
Next, contact your state DMV and ask how to file a dispute. Most states have a form you fill out, attach your evidence, and mail to the DMV's records department. Some states allow you to file online. Include a clear explanation of what is wrong and why, and keep copies of everything you send.
The DMV will review your dispute, usually within 30 to 60 days. If they agree the record is wrong, they will correct it. If they disagree, they will tell you why and may offer you a chance to appeal or provide more evidence. If you believe the DMV is still wrong, you can request a hearing before a DMV official or, in some cases, take the matter to court.
How accidents affect your license and insurance
An accident on your record does not automatically cost you your license, but it can raise your insurance rates significantly. Insurance companies use your driving record to calculate your premium, and an at-fault accident typically increases your rate by 20 to 40 percent, depending on your insurer and the severity of the accident.
If you are at fault in multiple accidents within a short time, or if you cause an accident with serious injury or death, your license may be suspended or revoked. The state will notify you in writing if this happens. You will have a chance to request a hearing to contest the suspension before it takes effect.
If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. If you do, you face criminal charges, fines, and a longer suspension. If you need to drive during a suspension, some states offer a hardship license or restricted license that lets you drive to work, school, or medical appointments. You have to request this from your DMV and show that the suspension causes genuine hardship.
How employers and insurers use your driving record
Any job that involves driving — delivery driver, truck driver, taxi driver, sales representative — will require a background check that includes your driving record. Employers are looking for a pattern of safe driving. A single minor violation usually does not disqualify you, but multiple violations, at-fault accidents, or a suspended license will.
Insurance companies pull your record before issuing a policy and again periodically while you are insured. They use it to decide whether to insure you at all and at what rate. A clean record gets you the best rates. Violations and accidents raise your rates. If your record is very bad — multiple DUIs, for example — some insurers will refuse to cover you, and you may have to buy high-risk insurance at a much higher cost.
This is why checking your own record matters: if there is an error, you want to fix it before an employer or insurer sees it. If there is a legitimate violation or accident, you at least know what they will see and can be prepared to explain it.
How long violations and accidents stay on your record
Most states keep traffic violations and at-fault accidents on your record for three to five years. Minor violations like speeding or a broken taillight typically age out after three years. More serious violations like reckless driving or driving with a suspended license may stay for five to seven years.
DUI (driving under the influence) convictions stay on your record much longer — often 10 years or more, and in some states permanently. Hit-and-run accidents and serious injury accidents also stay longer than minor fender-benders.
Not-at-fault accidents usually do not appear on your driving record at all, or they appear but are marked as not your fault. This distinction matters for insurance: an accident marked not at fault typically does not raise your rates.
Once an incident ages off your record, it no longer appears on the official DMV document. However, insurance companies and some employers may still have access to older records through their own databases, so the practical impact of an old violation may linger even after it officially drops off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No, not without their permission. Your own driving record is yours to request. If you need someone else's record — for example, if you are hiring a driver or checking a household member's record — that person must request it themselves and give you a copy, or they must sign a form authorizing you to request it on their behalf. Some states allow employers and insurance companies to request records with proper authorization.
Will checking my own driving record hurt my license or insurance?
No. Requesting your own record is a soft inquiry and does not affect your license status or insurance rates. Insurance companies only see your record if they pull it themselves, which they do when you explore for a policy or renew one. Checking it yourself first does not trigger anything.
What if I was in an accident but no police report was filed?
If no police report was filed, the accident may not appear on your official DMV driving record. However, if you reported it to your insurance company, they have a record of it and will see it when you explore for a new policy or renew. If you were in an accident and the other driver's insurance paid, that claim is in the insurance system even without a police report.
How do I know if an accident was marked as my fault or not my fault?
Your driving record will show this if a police report was filed. The report determines fault, and the DMV records what the report says. If you disagree with the fault information, you can dispute it with the DMV, but you will need evidence — the police report, witness statements, or photos showing the other driver caused the accident.
Can I remove an accident from my driving record?
You cannot remove a legitimate accident, but you can correct it if it is wrong. If the accident was not your fault, you can request that the record be updated to reflect that. If the accident was recorded in error — for example, you were not actually involved — you can file a dispute and have it removed. Once an incident ages off your record naturally (usually after three to seven years), it no longer appears on the official DMV document.