Key Takeaways
- Review your driving record: Check it at least once a year to catch errors or inaccuracies early on.
- Three kinds of driving records: The California DMV offers official, unofficial, and certified driving records, each serving different purposes.
- Unofficial records can be downloaded online instantly: Choose this option if you just want to check your record or point count.
- Points can be issued in error: If you spot points for offenses you didn’t commit, submit a correction request to the DMV to dispute them.
- Traffic school can protect your record: Completing a state-approved traffic school can mask one point from your record, keeping it hidden from auto insurers and other third parties.
When was the last time you checked your California driving record? It includes information that can affect your insurance rate, your ability to hold a license, and other factors in your life.
Here’s how to request a copy from the DMV, what to look for, and how to resolve some of the key issues you might find.
How to Check Your California Driving Record
There are three ways you can obtain your California DMV driving record: online, in person, or by mail. Here’s how to use each option—and the costs involved.
Request Your California Driving Record Online
Cost: $2 for unofficial records.
Steps
- Access Vehicle of Driver’s Records Requests on the California DMV website.
- Select “Start Driver’s Record Request,” then complete the form and payment.
- Download and print your California driving record.
Request Your California Driving Record in Person
Cost: $5 for unofficial/certified records.
Steps
- Visit a local California DMV office during business hours or make an appointment online.
- Bring your driver’s license or identification card with you.
- Pay $5 for the type of driving record you need.
- Wait to receive your DMV record at the end of your visit.
Order Your Driving Record by Mail
Cost: $5 for unofficial records, $8 for certified records.
Steps
- Download and print the “Request for Driver Record” form.
- Fill out and sign the form, selecting the type of record you need.
- Mail the completed form and payment (check or money order) to the California DMV. The exact address is listed on the form.
You’ll receive an unofficial record within 7-10 business days and an official record within 10-15 business days. Processing times may be longer during peak seasons, so it’s best to check with the DMV beforehand.
Official vs. Unofficial California Driving Records
California drivers can request three types of driving records, depending on how they plan to use them. Consider your needs when deciding what type of driving record you request.
- Unofficial driving record: This is a non-certified record you can access online, in person, or by mail. It summarizes your driving history, including traffic violations, accidents, and license suspensions, and is best for personal review or error checks.
- Official driving record: This is a formal record that can be obtained in person or by mail. It provides the same information as the unofficial record but may include more historical data. Employers, insurance companies, or other third parties may request it to check your driving history.
- Certified driving record: Submit a request by mail or in person when you need a DMV-stamped and signed copy. This document provides the same information as the official record but is used for legal proceedings, such as court cases or insurance claims.
- The main difference between an official and a certified DMV record is that the former cannot be used in court. If you’re going to trial or filing a formal dispute, you need a certified copy.
Traffic school can help you keep a clean driving record, prevent insurance increases, and more!
How to Read Your DMV Driving Record and Check Points on Your License
| Key Sections of a Driving Record | ||
| Section | What It Shows | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Information | Driver’s name and other identifying details, along with the license number, status, and class. | This information confirms your license is valid and active. |
| Convictions | Traffic offenses you’ve been convicted of. Each violation will have a code or abbreviation associated with it, which can be found on the DMV website or in the California Vehicle Code. | Each violation adds points to your record, which may result in license suspension or revocation. |
| Accidents | Any accidents you’ve been involved in while behind the wheel, including their date, location, and severity. | May affect your DMV point count and insurance premiums. |
| Departmental Actions | Suspensions, revocations, or probation notices. | Indicates past or pending DMV penalties. |
Reading and understanding a driving record in California can be confusing due to the use of codes, abbreviations, and point systems. Here’s what to look for:
Double-Check Your Point Count
Of particular importance is your point count. Under the California point system, each moving violation carries one or two negligent operator points based on its severity.
For example, an infraction like speeding or failure to yield carries one point, whereas reckless driving and other serious offenses may add two points to your record. A parking ticket is a non-moving violation. This means it’s issued when your car isn’t in motion, so it doesn’t impact your point count.
Getting multiple points within set time periods can result in action from the DMV, as shown below. In 2022, the California DMV issued 648,479 suspensions and 19,744 revocations.
| Points on Record | What It Means | Typical Offenses | DMV Action | How Long It Stays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ 0 points | Perfect record | — | No action | — |
| ⚠️ 1 point | Minor violation | Speeding, rolling stop, illegal U-turn, red light | None — but watch out for repeat offenses | 3 years |
| ⚠️ 2 points | Major violation | DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving on suspended license | DMV review; possible warning | 10 years |
| 🚨 4 points in 12 months | Too many violations too fast | Multiple moving violations | License suspension or probation | N/A |
| 🚨 6 points in 24 months | Repeat violations over 2 years | Pattern of unsafe driving | License suspension or probation | N/A |
| 🚨 8 points in 36 months | Ongoing problem driver | Multiple tickets or major offenses | License suspension or revocation | N/A |
How to Remove Violations and Points from a Driving Record
In California, there are a few ways to remove points from your driving record. Your options depend on how and when you got the points. Here are a few things to look into.
Dispute Any Inaccuracies or Errors
If you find errors on your driving record, you can request to have them corrected. The sooner you do it, the better.
Generally, you will need to take the following steps:
- Complete and submit a correction request to the DMV. An example would be Form DL 207 for inaccurate traffic violations or convictions, or Form DL 208 for inaccurate traffic accident entries.
- Include any documents that support your case. If, say, your record shows a car accident you didn’t cause, you can submit the original accident report. You’ll usually get it from the court or the police department that investigated the event.
- Mail your request and applicable documents to the address shown on the Correction Request form.
These steps also apply if one or more points on your record were assigned in error. For instance, points could appear on your record because of a mix-up with another driver. Or maybe you won a ticket in court, but the points are still there. As long as you can prove it, the DMV can fix that. Since this correction is not automatic, you must submit a formal dispute.
Go to Traffic School
Traffic school can’t remove a point that already exists on your license. But if you just got a traffic ticket, you can mask that one point by attending a DMV-approved traffic school. This can help keep your premiums from going up after a ticket or infraction. It will also be easier to qualify for a good driver discount.
Traffic school is fast, easy, and can save you hundreds on your insurance premiums over the course of a year. At Best Online Traffic School, you can take traffic school at your own pace and get it done in less than 3 hours. And it’s easy – 99% of our students pass on the first try.
Read: Is Traffic School Worth It?
Fight the Ticket
A third option is to fight your ticket in court. In California, most courts allow up to 90 days to pay or contest, so check the due date on your citation.
You may not need to appear in court to contest the ticket. If you’re charged with a traffic infraction, you can request a trial by written declaration. This legal procedure involves submitting a written statement along with supporting evidence to the judge handling your case.
If you win—whether in court or through a trial by written declaration—your ticket will be dismissed, and the violation won’t show up on your record.
FAQs About Your California DMV Driving Record
Looking for more information about California driving records? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Are California driving records public?
Your DMV information is not publicly available. California has strict laws on who can access your driving record and under what circumstances.
As you learned above, you can request your own driving record. So can authorized third parties, such as employers and insurance companies. Your driving record could also be requested by the courts to be used in legal proceedings.
How far back do they check a driving record?
The California DMV will store the information on your driver’s record for up to 10 years or longer. The time frame depends on the traffic violations you’ve been charged with.
For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years. Most moving violations, such as following too closely, will be cleared within three years.
Most insurers will check your driving record for traffic violations and accidents within the past three years. In some cases (e.g., repeat offenses), they may look back as far as seven years
How long do accidents stay on your driving record in CA?
Car accidents typically stay on your record for three to 10 years, depending on the circumstances. For instance, if you drove recklessly and caused a fatal crash, the conviction may remain on your DMV record for up to a decade.
Can I get a free DMV driving record online in California?
No, you may not. However, you can request an unofficial copy of your driver’s record online for only $2.