When you need to get your driving record

Your California driving record, sometimes called an MVR, is a record of your driving history kept by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV records tickets and accidents as well as the status of your license. Read more...

What’s in your driving record?

The California Vehicle Code §§1807 and 1808 require the DMV to record information about your driving history and make it available for public access for a specified period of time. The length of time incidents are recorded varies depending on the type of incident. After the time period is up, the incidents are no longer viewable by the public and can only be seen by police officers and courts. Read more...

Where to get your driving record

You can get a copy of your California driving record from the DMV, either in person or by mail. To request a copy of your record in person, go to your local DMV office and fill out form INF 1125. If you hate waiting in line, you can call your local DMV office and make an appointment. Make sure to bring the $5 fee to have the record printed. Read more...

How your driving record is used

Three entities commonly make decisions that affect your life you based on what’s on your California driving record: the DMV, insurance companies, and employers. The DMV uses the information to track your driving history as part of its Negligent Operator Program. Read more...

Insurance rates and driving records

While the DMV generally won't take any action against you if you have just one point on your license, your insurance company probably will. Auto insurance companies use the information contained on your California driving record to determine your rates-and when they find an accident or violation on your record, the impact on your premium isn't pretty. Read more...

How defensive driving and traffic school affects your driving record

Every 18 months, the state of California offers you a chance to have a traffic ticket dismissed from your record by attending a California defensive driving class, called traffic violator school (TVS). A TVS class lasts approximately 400 minutes, but of you take the class instead of paying the fine and pleading guilty to the ticket, the ticket stays off your California driving record. Read more...

Cost

The cost to get a copy of your California driving record is just $5.00, so it's easy to review and see what the state is telling everyone about you. Read more...