Checking your driving record is an important thing every driver should do when they renew their
auto insurance. Your driver record can also be referred to as a motor vehicle report (MVR). This is a public record of your entire driving history.
Insurance can go up or down depending on
how good of a driver you are. If you want to get a better estimate of your annual premium, check your driving record.
Even offenses as small as a speeding ticket can stay on your record for 10 years! Your motor vehicle report will tell you what violations are still on your record. This report also includes:
- Your basic personal information
- License number, classification, status, and expiration date
- DUIs, fines, suspensions, and points
- Traffic violations and convictions
- Recorded accidents
Why You Should Check Your Driving Record
Obtaining your driving record is important to see if you have any outstanding tickets, discovering if you’ve worked off a past violation, or need to update your personal information.
Your driving record will let you know how many points are on your record. The number of points can affect how much you need to pay for your insurance.
Some employers will ask you to provide your driving record before getting hired. This is important if there’s been a mistake on your record, or if there’s a violation you’ve never seen before.
Taking Violations Off Your Driving Record
You can get violations taken off your record or gain points for being a good driver. You don’t have to let an old violation or mistake ruin your driving record. Most mistakes can be fixed pretty quickly by the DMV if you were listed as at-fault for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
It’s not often mistakes are found on driving records, but it can happen and you should work towards fixing it right away. A bad driving record can affect your
insurance premium, your chances of getting hired, and your financial future.
Knowing how many points are on your driving record will also tell you if you’re close to losing your license. Even a couple of small speeding tickets can add up over the years. Engaging in risky behavoir on the road puts others in danger, and could result in you losing your license.
Who Can See Your Driving Record
Depending on the laws of your state, the public access to your record can change. Not just anyone can look at your record. Most states require you to consent to having others look at your record. Other states may be a little stricter and will require your driver’s license number to access the records.
Some background may require or include your driving record. Regardless, you will need to authorize and consent to whoever accesses your record. This is important if a potential employer needs a background check, as most are done through a third-party agency.
Where Can You Get Your Driving Record
You can access your driving record in three different ways. As long as you have your basic information and your driver license number, you should be able to have access to your record.
The DMV
This is probably the easiest way you can get your driving record. To get your record from your local DMV, you either need to go in person or online. When you go online, make sure you’re on the DMV’s official website. You can tell the website is your state’s DMV if it ends in “.gov”.
To get your driving record you can either:
- Go to the DMV and request your official record, which can be mailed within a few days
- Or go online and request your unofficial record or copy of your record instantly
The official driving record costs about $10, however, this can change depending on your state. Be sure to call your DMV to see what payment options they have. Some DMV’s will not accept credit cards in person.
If you opted for an unofficial copy, it will cost less. However, some institutions will need your official record. Be sure to check which one you’ll need.
Your Insurance Provider
Insurance providers will have easy access to your driving record. When an insurance agency reviews your information for a quote, they can get access to your unofficial driving report.
When your insurance provider reviews your record, you can ask them for a copy of your record. This is normally free, but not all insurance agencies can provide your record. If you can’t get your record from your insurance agency, there’s no need to worry. You still have a few more options to obtain your driving record.
Online Driving Record Checks
There’s lots of third-party websites you can use to check your driving records. These websites are a little more expensive, but you’ll have access to a lot more of your public records.
Make sure that the report you have is your most current record. Be sure to verify this with the website before you pay for their service. This option is the fastest way to obtain your record, but it can be a little challenging finding a safe service.
Still have questions about how to get a copy of your driving record? Call one of partners at Quote Purple to see what’s on your driving record. You can talk to your insurance provider today by calling 1-877-200-6113.
