| DMV records, driving, motor vehicle records or MVRs | | | | the other 48 states, a traffic violation will show up |
| provide detailed information about a person's traffic | | | | on your DMV records as though you got the ticket in |
| violations, DUIs, license suspensions. Unfortunately, | | | | your home state. |
| most states no longer allow online access to DMV | | | | Employers do check DMV records |
| records, so this must be done by US mail from the | | | | There is a popular misconception that DMV records |
| state, usually for a small fee. This is due to increased | | | | are only of interest to auto insurance companies or |
| security concerns over the growing problem of | | | | employers considering somebody for a driving job. |
| identify theft. There is a national database, The | | | | This is no longer true. Many employers are routinely |
| National Driver Register or NDR, nhtsa.dot.gov, but | | | | including DMV records checks in employee |
| this is limited to severe traffic violations such as DUI. | | | | background checks. Serious violations, particularly |
| It's like a criminal database for bad driver's, so if | | | | involving DUI, are of great interest to employers. |
| you're not listed there, that's good. If you have not | | | | Employers believe that DMV records reveal much |
| had a driver's license cancelled, denied, suspended or | | | | about a person's character. This is a measure by |
| revoked nor convicted of a serious traffic violation, | | | | employers to help prevent negligent hiring lawsuits, |
| then you will not appear in the NDR database. You | | | | and hire quality employees. Trucking companies who |
| have to look to the States for detailed DMV records | | | | hire driver's to transport hazardous materials won't |
| information. | | | | even consider somebody who doesn't have a |
| The best place to start searching for DMV records is | | | | spotless driving record. Like your credit report, it is |
| by doing a Google search Ie: "Florida driving records," | | | | now recommended by the insurance industry, you |
| "Florida DMV records" and make sure you choose the | | | | occasionally check your own driving record. |
| official State's DMV records site. There are many | | | | How serious is drunk driving? |
| private services who specialize in pulling up DMV | | | | It's deadly serious. In most states, a DUI conviction is |
| records for you online, but they usually charge rather | | | | a 1st Degree Misdemeanor, so the offender will end |
| steep fees, so dealing directly with the state is far | | | | up with a criminal record. This can definitely be a |
| more practical and much less expensive. Free online | | | | problem regarding employment, even for jobs that |
| DMV records are limited to verifying a driver's license | | | | have nothing to do with driving. Increasing numbers |
| number. | | | | of employers consider driving records an important |
| The States employ a points system to keep record | | | | judge of character. One common misconception |
| of a driver's traffic violations, accidents, DUIs, even | | | | amongst many people is a DUI will only stay on |
| unpaid parking tickets, with each violation assigned a | | | | somebody's DMV records for 5 years like any other |
| specific number of negative points. If enough points | | | | traffic violation such as speeding, however unlike a |
| are accumulated, the state may eventually suspend | | | | typical traffic violation a DUI is a criminal offense so it |
| or revoke the license. In most states, bad points are | | | | doesn't go away, and remains on the person's driving |
| removed after 5 years with the exception of serious | | | | record indefinitely, in some cases for life. In most |
| criminal offenses such as drunk driving. An insurance | | | | states it is permissible to have a DUI arrest or |
| company always has the right to check somebody's | | | | conviction record sealed or expunged. This normally |
| DMV records who is applying for auto insurance. In | | | | requires the services of an attorney. When a driving |
| many foreign countries such as Germany, points are | | | | record of a DUI is sealed, it still exists on paper, but |
| not counted against your license for speeding tickets, | | | | it is marked off limits to everybody, except law |
| provided the fine is paid within the deadline. In some | | | | enforcement. In most states, like any other criminal |
| states such as Florida, you can lose your license for | | | | conviction, criminal record expongment or sealing is |
| driving off without paying for gas. | | | | limited to one per person, so you only get one shot. |
| What happens if I get a moving violation in a | | | | In some states such as Florida, a repeat offender's |
| different state? | | | | license can be revoked for life upon 3 DUI |
| Getting a speeding ticket in another state will affect | | | | convictions, and may also prohibit the use of motor |
| your DMV records in your home state, with the | | | | scooters and mopeds. A DUI conviction can have |
| exception of 2 states Michigan and Wisconsin. These | | | | disastrous long term consequences for anyone |
| are the only 2 states who do not participate in a | | | | convicted of one. |
| non-resident violator compact agreement. In any of | | | | |