What Your Driver's License Status & DMV Driving Record Really Mean
Having a valid driver’s license and maintaining a good driving record are essential parts of safe driving. It’s important to understand your status so you can avoid serious penalties (like a license suspension) and trouble down the road. You could have unpaid speeding tickets or points and not even know it.
Aside from being a pain to deal with, this can also affect your ability to get insured and how much you pay for car insurance.
Why check your driver’s license status?
Your driver’s license status record usually includes information about your license’s current standing (e.g., valid, expired, suspended, or revoked), plus your full name, address, and date of birth. It’s important to check your driver’s license status to make sure your license is valid and that your information is correct, so you can avoid penalties.
Some drivers are surprised to learn that their license is no longer valid. You may be familiar with some of the more well-known reasons why your license can be suspended, like unpaid tickets or driving without insurance, but it can actually be suspended or revoked for a multitude of reasons depending on your state and circumstances.
For example, in Florida, your driver’s license can be suspended for failure to appear at a traffic summons, failure to pay child support, or failure to meet minimum vision requirements, among other reasons. What’s more, there are varying requirements (financial or otherwise) that you may need to meet to reinstate your license.
Checking your driver’s license status is also an opportunity to verify that your information is correct. Maybe you forgot to submit proof that you completed traffic school, or perhaps you overlooked filing an SR22/FR44 through your insurance company.
Whatever the case may be, verifying your driver’s license status can serve as a reminder to take care of important paperwork so you can drive legally. Plus, correcting information and maintaining a clean driving record could set you up for a more affordable auto insurance rate.
How to Check Your Driver's License Status
You can check your driver’s license status by following these steps:
- Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Secretary of State website.
- Look for the section on the website where you can check your driver’s license status. Some states provide this information for free, while others may require you to purchase your driving record to access it.
- Fill out the required fields, which usually include your full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.
- After submitting your information, you will find out whether your driver’s license is valid, suspended, expired, or revoked.
How to Determine if Your Driver’s License Is Valid
To check if your driver’s license is still valid, follow the steps outlined above. Generally, a driver's license is considered valid or in force if it meets all the following requirements:
- It has not expired.
- It has not been suspended or revoked.
- It is issued in your current state of residence.
- You have it in your possession while driving.
- You have completed any necessary driving-related exams, screenings, or requirements.
Why Your DMV Driving Record Matters
A driving record, also known as a motor vehicle report (MVR), is a public record of your driving history. In addition to listing your driver’s license status, it also includes any tickets, violations, and accidents during the time period for which you requested the report.
When you apply for auto insurance, auto insurance companies typically review your driving record to predict how much risk you pose as a driver.
Some auto insurance companies refuse to insure drivers with certain violations on their driving records, which can make it tough to get insured and drive legally. At Direct Auto, we help drivers get the coverage they need.
What information is on a driving record?
If you have a driver's license, you have a driving record. A driving record typically includes the following information:
- Driver's license status (e.g., valid, expired, suspended, or revoked)
- Driver's license expiration date
- Traffic tickets, accidents, violations, and fines
- Driver’s license points
- Driver’s license classifications and endorsements
- Moving violation and DUI/DWI convictions
- Unpaid fines and fees
- Defensive driving courses attended
What are points on your driving record?
As the legal website Nolo.com explains, most states add points to your driving record if you get ticketed for speeding or other traffic violations.
The Department of Motor Vehicles in most states uses these points to punish bad behavior behind the wheel and discourage it from happening again. The more severe your violation, the higher the number of points that will be added to your driving record, and if you reach a certain number of points, the state can take action against you like suspending your driver’s license.
What are common reasons for getting points on your driving record?
Speeding is one of the biggest reasons for getting points on your driver’s license. The number of points for speeding goes up based on how much over the speed limit you were driving.
For 1 to 10 MPH over the limit, you’re likely to have only one point added to your license. However, if you were traveling 40 MPH over the limit, you’ll probably see a minimum of five points added to your license.
Other examples of violations that might cause you to get points on your driving record include but aren’t limited to:
- An illegal turn
- Running a stoplight
- A motor vehicle accident
- Littering
- Passing a stopped school bus
- DUI/DWI
Fortunately, you’re not stuck with these points forever. Depending on the state where you’re licensed to drive, the points typically disappear after one to five years — as long as your driving record remains clean during that time.
How to Check Your DMV Driving Record
You can order your driving record from your state's DMV or a third-party vendor. A third-party provider may be able to provide it more quickly, but going through your state’s DMV is usually a more affordable option.
Who looks at my driving record?
Driving records are often consulted during background checks and court proceedings and by potential employers and auto insurance companies. Most of the time, your driving record can't be viewed without your permission. State privacy laws protect your information.
You may want to consider keeping an eye on your driving record for your peace of mind. Like any other public record, you want to make sure it's accurate! Identities can be mistaken, points can fail to be removed after a corrective class, and tickets can go accidentally unpaid.
Checking your driving record and correcting any mistakes could also lead to lower car insurance rates, which begs the question: What's the relationship between driving records and car insurance?
Do driving records impact my car insurance rates?
Your driving record can absolutely impact your car insurance rates. Since auto insurance companies can't predict the future, they have to look to the past for clues as to what the future might hold for a potential policyholder.
On one hand, a spotless driving record tells an insurance company that you could be less risky to insure. If you haven't had any trouble on the road in the last few years, the chances are good that you won't have any in the next few.
On the other hand, a driving record that shows multiple car accidents, a suspended driver's license, and a long list of speeding tickets tells an insurance company that you might be likely to file a claim and therefore riskier to insure. Being categorized as a high-risk driver often means higher car insurance rates.
Keep in mind that some auto insurance companies will cancel a customer's insurance policy for major traffic violations like a DUI/DWI, violations that result in a driver’s license suspension, or for making too many claims within a certain period of time.
Driving Without Insurance: What You Need to Know
Every state requires drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility, which is typically done by purchasing an auto insurance policy. Driving without proof of financial responsibility is against the law no matter where you live, and you’ll face some kind of penalty if you are caught driving without car insurance. For more details (including what penalties you can expect, what happens if you cause an accident as an uninsured driver, and car insurance coverages that can protect you from uninsured drivers) check out this helpful article: What Happens If You Get Caught Driving Without Insurance.
At Direct Auto, we understand that a pristine driving record isn’t always possible. With Direct, you can get the coverage you need and the respect you deserve, regardless of your driving history.
If you’ve committed driving violations in the past that have led to a license suspension, SR22 requirements, or other penalty, we’re here for you. Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT (1-877-463-4732) or visit a Direct Auto location near you for a free quote or to learn more.
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