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. The DMV records the following information on your California driving record:

• The status of your driver's license; whether it is active, suspended or revoked.

• Any minor violations, such as speeding tickets, that have occurred within the past 3 years.

• Major violations, such as reckless driving, which happened within the past 7 years.

• Failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket (FTA), or failure to pay a fine (FTP) for 5 years, unless the original offense was a DUI. Failure to appear for a DUI will stay on your driving record for 10 years.

• Any accidents, whether at fault or not at fault, as well as the approximate amount of damage involved. Accidents are recorded for 3 years from the accident date. However, if the accident occurred in a commercial vehicle, it will stay on your record for 10 years.

• Convictions for driving under the influence that occurred within the last 10 years.

• Any suspension or revocation of your driver's license that occurred due to a mental or physical condition. If your license is still suspended or revoked, that will show on your California driving record for 10 years from the date of the last action. However, if you've gotten everything cleared up, the suspension will only show up on your MVR for 3 years from the date your license was reinstated.