Public data on suspended licenses comes from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, but the information is not always straightforward to find or presented in one place

If you are looking for the number of people with suspended licenses in your state, you will need to contact your state DMV directly or check their public records section. Most states publish some version of this data, though the format, detail level, and how current the numbers are varies widely. Some states post it on their website; others require you to call or submit a records request.

The reason this information is scattered is that suspension data serves different purposes for different people. Law enforcement uses it to identify unlicensed drivers. Researchers use it to study traffic safety. Insurance companies use it to assess risk. Your state DMV collects the data, but they do not always package it the same way for public use.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state DMV website usually has a public records or statistics section where suspension data may be posted, though you may need to dig into multiple pages to find it.
  • If the data is not on the website, you can call your state DMV's main office or public information line and ask for suspension statistics by reason (unpaid fines, medical suspension, DUI, etc.).
  • Some states publish this data in annual reports or traffic safety documents rather than in a dedicated statistics page.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects some suspension data from states, though it is not always complete or current for every state.

How to search your state DMV website

Start by going to your state's DMV website and looking for a section labeled "Statistics," "Public Records," "Data," or "Reports." The exact name varies. Once you are there, look for headings related to driver licenses, suspensions, or violations. Some states organize this by calendar year; others update it quarterly.

If you cannot find a dedicated statistics page, try the "About" or "Contact Us" section and look for a public information officer or records custodian. Many states list an email address or phone number for public data requests. You can also search the DMV site using keywords like "suspension statistics" or "license suspension data" to see if a specific page comes up.

Be prepared for the data to be presented in different ways. Some states give you a single number of active suspensions. Others break it down by reason (failure to pay child support, medical suspension, DUI-related, unpaid traffic fines, etc.). A few states publish the data by county or region. The more specific your question, the more useful the answer you will get.

Calling your state DMV for suspension data

If the website does not have what you need, call your state DMV's main customer service line and ask to speak with someone in public information or records. Have your question ready: "How many people currently have suspended licenses in [state]?" or "How many suspensions are active for unpaid fines?" or whatever specific number you are looking for.

The person who answers may not have the answer when ready, but they can direct you to the right department or tell you whether the data is published online. If it is not, they can usually tell you how to submit a formal public records request, which may take a few days to a few weeks depending on your state's process.

Some states also have a dedicated research or planning department that handles these kinds of questions. The customer service line can transfer you or provide a direct contact. Being specific about what you need makes the process faster.

Finding data through NHTSA and federal sources

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects driver license data from states as part of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and other traffic safety programs. You can visit the NHTSA website and look for their data read tools, which include some information about suspensions and revocations by state.

However, NHTSA data is not always as current as what your state DMV has, and not every state reports the same level of detail to the federal government. NHTSA is most useful if you are comparing suspension rates across multiple states or looking at trends over several years rather than getting the most recent number for a single state.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also publishes some research on license suspensions, particularly related to DUI and impaired driving. Their reports may cite state-level data and can point you toward the original sources.

Understanding what suspension data actually tells you

When you find a number, understand what it represents. "Active suspensions" means licenses currently suspended right now. Some states also report "total suspensions issued in the past year," which is a different number. A person can have multiple suspensions on their record, so the number of suspensions may be higher than the number of people suspended.

Suspension reasons matter too. A suspension for unpaid child support is different from a medical suspension, which is different from a suspension for a DUI conviction. If you are researching a specific issue, ask for data broken down by reason rather than a total number.

Also note that suspension data does not tell you how many people are actually driving on suspended licenses. It tells you how many licenses are suspended. Some suspended drivers stop driving; others do not. The data is a count of suspensions, not a measure of unlicensed driving on the road.

What to do if your state does not publish the data

A small number of states do not publish suspension statistics on their website or make them easily available to the public. If you run into this, you have a few options. First, try calling the DMV's public information line and asking if the data exists and how to request it. Second, submit a formal public records request under your state's freedom of information law (often called a FOIA request or public records request).

Public records requests are usually free or cost a small fee. You can typically submit them online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The state has a legal important date to respond, though the timeline varies (usually 5 to 30 days). If the data is sensitive or requires compilation, they may ask for more time or charge a research fee.

If you are researching this for a specific reason — a school project, a news story, or a policy question — you can also contact your state legislator's office. Legislative staff often have access to DMV data or can request it on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out how many people have suspended licenses in a specific county?

Some states break down suspension data by county, but most do not publish it that way. Your best option is to contact your county clerk's office or the local DMV branch and ask whether they track this information. County-level data is less commonly available than state-level data.

Is suspension data updated in real time?

No. Most states update their published suspension statistics monthly, quarterly, or annually. The data you find online is usually a few weeks to a few months old. If you need the most current information, call the DMV directly and ask for the latest count.

Why do different sources give different numbers for suspensions?

Different agencies may count suspensions differently. Some count active suspensions only; others include recently lifted suspensions. Some count by person; others count by suspension record. Always check the source's definition of what they are counting before comparing numbers.

Can I find data on suspensions by reason, like DUI or unpaid fines?

Many states do break down suspensions by reason, but you may have to request it rather than find it on the main statistics page. Call your state DMV and ask for suspension data sorted by reason. This information is usually available but not always published in one straightforward-to-find place.

Where can I find historical suspension data to see trends over time?

Some states publish annual reports that include multi-year suspension data. Check your DMV's publications or reports section. NHTSA also maintains historical data. If your state does not publish trends, you can submit public records requests for data from multiple years and compile the trend yourself.