| Getting copies of other people's Department of | | | | However, you would have to do all the work with |
| Motor Vehicles (DMV) and driving records is not | | | | no guarantee that you will be successful. |
| hard...assuming you have a legitimate right to | | | | Getting a copy of your own DMV driving records |
| them. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), | | | | is much easier, you just fill out a form, sign it and |
| a federal law passed in the 1990s and updated in | | | | have it notarized, and you can get your copy for |
| 2000, was specifically written to protect drivers' | | | | free. Even easier, you can usually go to one of |
| personal information from searches and clearly | | | | your state driver's license exam station and get a |
| restricts the reasons why anyone can have | | | | copy of your record while you wait. That way |
| access to drivers license records. Those reasons | | | | you'll see what employers and insurance |
| include issues related to damaged or stolen | | | | companies are going to find out about you. |
| vehicles, determining the legitimacy of information | | | | The National Traffic Highway Safety |
| provided for credit or employment, and | | | | Administration has a National Driver Registry of |
| information related to court proceedings, be they | | | | accidents. They receive a copy of your record if |
| criminal, civil or administrative. | | | | your license has been revoked or suspended. This |
| If none of those apply to you, then your choices | | | | registry is available to both you and to employers. |
| are to either hire a private investigator or use one | | | | There are also State accident registries. Your |
| of the many online services...both of which will | | | | insurance company or employer will probably |
| cost you money. The private eye will be more | | | | check your state record first. So...if you want to |
| expensive than online services and, unless you | | | | find out what your record is going to show, place |
| have special circumstances that require a lot of | | | | a request for a free copy of your record and find |
| tracking, not worth the extra money. Just to give | | | | out. |
| you an idea, private eyes might charges several | | | | If you are an employer needing to run driving |
| hundred dollars per hour of research plus a | | | | background checks often, you might want to |
| retainer fee! | | | | obtain the services of a Driving Record |
| If you are going to need to get access to DMV | | | | Background check service. This option will save |
| records more than once, then signing up for an | | | | you in the long run. |
| annual service is probably in your best interest. | | | | |