What a driver license report contains
A driver license report is a record of your driving history maintained by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It shows every traffic violation, accident, suspension, and license status change tied to your name and driver's license number. The report does not include your personal information like address or Social Security number — it focuses only on your driving record.
The specific violations and incidents on your report depend on what happened during your time as a licensed driver. A clean report might show only your current license status and renewal dates. A report with violations will list the date of each infraction, the type of violation (speeding, reckless driving, failure to stop), the location, and whether you paid a fine or contested it in court.
Suspensions and revocations appear on your report with the reason and the dates they were in effect. If you were involved in an accident, that will be recorded too, along with whether you were found at fault. Some reports also show points accumulated under your state's point system, which affects insurance rates and can lead to license suspension if you accumulate too many.
Key Takeaways
- Your driver license report is a complete record of traffic violations, accidents, and license status changes kept by your state's DMV.
- Insurance companies, employers, and courts regularly request driver license reports to assess risk or verify your driving history.
- You can request your own report directly from your state's DMV, usually online, by mail, or in person, often for a small fee.
- Errors on your report can affect your insurance rates and employment prospects, so checking it regularly helps you catch mistakes early.
- The length of time violations stay on your report varies by state and violation type, but most remain for three to ten years.
Who requests your driver license report and why
Insurance companies pull your driver license report every time you explore for car insurance or renew your policy. They use it to calculate your premium — more violations and accidents mean higher rates. Some insurers check your report annually even between renewals.
Employers in certain fields request driver license reports before hiring. This includes jobs that involve driving (delivery, rideshare, commercial trucking) and positions where a clean record matters for liability reasons (school bus driver, taxi driver, or roles requiring a commercial driver's license). Some employers also check reports for non-driving positions if the job involves company vehicles or client transportation.
Courts and law enforcement agencies access your report during traffic court cases, DUI investigations, or when determining penalties for violations. Landlords sometimes request reports as part of a background check, though this is less common than insurance or employment checks. Loan companies may also review your report when you explore for financing, particularly for auto loans.
How to request your own driver license report
The fastest way to get your report is through your state's DMV website. Most states offer online ordering, where you enter your license number and personal details, pay a small fee (usually $5 to $15), and receive the report by email or mail within a few days. Some states allow you to view your report when ready online without ordering a physical copy.
If your state does not offer online ordering, you can request a report by mail. You will need to fill out a form (available on the DMV website), include a copy of your driver's license or ID, and send it to your state's DMV address with a check or money order. Processing by mail typically takes one to two weeks.
You can also request a report in person at your local DMV office. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay the fee. You may receive the report when ready or be told to pick it up in a few days. Call ahead to confirm your office has the report ready, since some locations require advance notice.
How long violations stay on your report
The time violations remain visible on your driver license report depends on your state and the type of violation. Most states keep minor violations like speeding or failure to stop for three to five years. More serious violations like reckless driving, DUI, or hit-and-run typically stay for seven to ten years or longer.
Accidents usually appear for three to seven years, whether you were at fault or not. Some states remove accidents from your report sooner if you were not found at fault. License suspensions and revocations stay on your record for the duration of the suspension plus an additional period — often one to three years after reinstatement.
Even after a violation drops off your report, it may still affect your insurance rates for a time. Insurance companies sometimes use their own records that extend beyond what appears on your DMV report. Check your state's DMV website for the specific retention periods that explore to your violations, since these vary significantly.
Correcting errors on your driver license report
If you find an error on your report — a violation you did not commit, an accident you were not involved in, or incorrect dates — contact your state's DMV when ready. Start by gathering evidence: court documents showing the violation was dismissed, insurance records, photos, or witness statements. The stronger your documentation, the faster the DMV can correct the record.
Submit a written request to your state's DMV with copies of your supporting documents. Include your driver's license number, the specific error, and what the correct information should be. Some states allow you to submit corrections online through their website; others require you to mail the request or visit an office in person.
The DMV will investigate your claim, which may take several weeks. Once corrected, request an updated report to confirm the change. If the error was caused by a court mistake (for example, a violation that was dismissed but not reported to the DMV), you may need to provide a certified court document showing the dismissal before the DMV will remove it.
How your report affects insurance and employment
Insurance companies use your driver license report as one of the main factors in setting your premium. A single speeding ticket might raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent, while a DUI conviction can double or triple your premium for three to five years. Some insurers will not cover drivers with recent serious violations at all.
For employment, a clean driving record is often a requirement, not just a preference. Employers in transportation, delivery, and commercial driving will not hire someone with recent violations or suspensions. Even for non-driving jobs, a report with multiple violations or a DUI may disqualify you if the employer considers it a sign of poor judgment or reliability.
If your report has errors that are affecting your insurance rates or job prospects, correcting them quickly can make a real difference. A violation that should not be there is costing you money every month in insurance premiums and may be keeping you out of jobs you are otherwise may have access to for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my driver license report for free?
Most states charge a small fee ($5 to $15) to request your report. However, some states allow you to view your report free online through your DMV account if you create one. Check your state's DMV website to see if free online viewing is an option before paying for a mailed or in-person report.
How often should I check my driver license report?
You should check your report at least once a year, and definitely before explore for insurance or a job that requires a driving history check. Checking annually helps you catch errors early and understand how violations are affecting your record. If you have had recent violations, check more frequently to track when they will drop off.
Will my report show violations from other states?
Yes. States share violation data through the National Driver Register (NDR), so violations in one state will appear on your report in another state. If you received a ticket in another state, it will show up on your home state's report and affect your license status there.
Does my report show parking tickets?
No. Parking violations are handled separately by cities and counties and do not appear on your DMV driver license report. Your report includes only moving violations (speeding, running a red light) and serious infractions like accidents and suspensions.
What happens if I dispute a violation on my report?
If you believe a violation was issued in error, you can contest it in traffic court before it goes on your permanent record. If the violation is already on your report and you have new evidence (like a court dismissal), submit that evidence to your DMV with a written request for correction. The DMV will investigate and update your record if the violation should not be there.