Florida Driving Records
What Is a Florida Driving Record?
Why Would You Need a Driving Record?
Types of Driver Records Available in Florida
Traffic Violations and Tickets in Florida
How Does the Florida Point System Work?
How To Check Your Vehicle History
What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?
Who Can Access Your Florida Driving History?
FAQs About Florida Driving Records

Florida Driving Records

Your Florida driving records tell the story of your time on the road. From traffic violations to license status and past accidents, a driving history report may help you track your performance as a driver. Employers, insurers, and even courts may request your DMV driving records to evaluate your reliability.

Since Florida maintains its own motor vehicle records, access is generally subject to state-specific rules. By staying updated on your Florida motor vehicle records, you may be able to avoid surprises and take control of your driving reputation.

What Is a Florida Driving Record?

A Florida driving record, also known as a driving record history (abstract) or motor vehicle record (MVR), is an official document that details a licensed motorist's history behind the wheel.

These records are maintained by various state agencies, which include the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)and the state courts.

The FLHSMV's driving records focus on a motorist's traffic-related activities, such as violations, license status, suspensions, and collisions. In contrast, court-issued traffic records may include civil or criminal traffic case details like motions, rulings, or sentencing.

Together, these records provide a comprehensive picture of a person's driving history in Florida and may impact insurance, employment, or legal matters.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records?

An official driving record or motor vehicle record (MVR) is a state-issued document provided directly by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or its equivalent.

In Florida, for example, the FLHSMV maintains official driving records that contain verified information. These records are generally considered the most accurate and up-to-date and are commonly used for legal matters, insurance, and employment.

On the other hand, public driving records are often compiled by third-party services like RecordsFinder. While not issued directly by the state, independent sites like RecordsFinder provide convenient access to traffic-related information from multiple public sources.

They are a user-friendly option for individuals or businesses who may want to quickly check a driver's background without going through complex government systems.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

These are some of the top reasons why you may need your driving records in Florida, as well as in other states:

Job Applications: Employers may request your driving record if you are applying for jobs that require driving, such as delivery services, trucking, or chauffeur positions.
Insurance Purposes: Insurance companies may use your driving history report to evaluate your risk level and determine your car insurance rates.
Legal and Court Matters: If involved in a traffic-related legal case or court hearing, you may need your Florida motor vehicle records to provide proof of your driving history.
License Status Verification: You may need to check your DMV driving records to confirm whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked.
Correcting Errors: If you believe there are mistakes on your Florida driving record, such as inaccurate violations or accident reports, reviewing the record may help you dispute and correct them.
Renewing or Reinstating Your License: Some Florida drivers may need their driving record when applying for license renewal or reinstatement after a suspension.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

The information found in a Florida driver report varies depending on the source of the report or the agency that maintains it. Most records may contain the following:

Personal information such as name, address, date of birth, and license number
License status, including valid, expired, suspended, or revoked
Traffic violations
Fines and penalties
Accident history, including fault and outcomes
Points added for violations or accidents
Records of any driving under the influence (DUI) offenses
Completion of traffic school or defensive driving courses

Types of Driver Records Available in Florida

The FLHSMV offers various types of driver records, which may be requested for various purposes:

3-Year Driving Record: A snapshot of the past three years, including license issuances, completed exams, guilty traffic violations, crash citations, and any current suspensions, revocations, or disqualifications.
7-Year Driving Record: A broader overview of the last seven years, including all the details from the 3-year record, plus additional violations, crash entries, and information on any ongoing driving privilege issues.
Complete Driving Record: The most detailed record, providing a full history of all traffic violations, crashes, suspensions, and correspondence entries, unless purged after the retention period.

When requesting any of these driver records, you may choose certified (with an FLHSMV seal) for legal purposes or non-certified for personal use. Florida driving records are also classified as public or non-public, depending on the information and the requester.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Florida

In Florida, traffic violations are regulated under Title XXIII: Motor Vehicles of the Florida Statutes. Violations may range from simple non-moving infractions like illegal parking to severe felony offenses like vehicular manslaughter. It is important to understand the specific rules surrounding these violations, as well as how to respond if you receive a ticket.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Florida traffic violations are generally divided into three main categories:

Non-moving violations: These occur when the vehicle is stationary for varying reasons, which may include mechanical fault-related issues. Common examples include illegal parking, seatbelt violations, no proof of insurance, and defective vehicle equipment. Fines usually start around $30.
Moving violations: These typically happen while the vehicle is in motion. Examples include improper lane changes, failure to yield to pedestrians, driving without headlights, and tailgating a school bus. Fines range from $60 to $1,000, depending on the severity and if a court appearance is required.
Criminal violations: Serious offenses like a third DUI within 10 years, a third felony speeding, and vehicular manslaughter may lead to criminal charges, jail time, high fines (up to $10,000), and a permanent criminal record.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

If you receive a traffic ticket in Florida, you typically have 30 days to respond. Here are your options:

Pay the fine: Resolve the violation by paying the fine online, by mail, by phone, or in person. Some counties offer online payment systems, like Orange County's portal. Check your local clerk's website for details.
Contest the ticket: If you believe the citation was issued in error, you may plead not guilty and request a hearing. You may request this by mail, online (if available), or in person.
Take a driver improvement course: Eligible drivers may attend a course for certain moving violations to avoid points on their record and prevent insurance rate increases.
Plead no contest: If eligible, you may plead no contest (nolo contendere), meaning you do not admit guilt but accept the consequences. This typically keeps points off your record, but you must still pay the fine.

Ignoring a ticket may lead to further consequences, such as late fees, a suspended license, or even an arrest warrant. If you can't afford the fine, contact the court before the deadline to inquire about payment plans or extensions.

How Does the Florida Point System Work?

Florida uses a point-based system to track driving violations and encourage safe driving habits. When a driver is cited for a traffic offense, points are generally added to their driving record based on the severity of the violation.

Less severe infractions, such as minor speeding or failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian, typically add three points. More serious offenses, like speeding 15 mph or more over the limit or reckless driving, generally carry four points. The most serious violations, including leaving the scene of a crash, can result in six points.

Accumulating too many points within specific timeframes may lead to a license suspension as listed below:

12 points in 12 months = 30-day suspension
18 points in 18 months = 3-month suspension
24 points in 36 months = 1-year suspension

Habitual or serious violations may also lead to full license revocation.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

The FLHSMV applies specific retention periods based on the nature of the violation:

Most moving and non-moving violations: Stay for about 3 to 5 years
Serious violations: May be recorded for 10 or 15 years, depending on the offense
Alcohol-related offenses: Remain on record for 75 years
Commercial driver license (CDL) violations: May remain for 10 to 55 years, depending on severity

If a violation becomes part of your criminal record, it stays there permanently unless officially sealed or expunged by the court.

Why it matters: Your driving record may affect more than just your license. Insurers often review it to set your car insurance rates, and employers, especially those hiring for driving-related jobs, may check it during the hiring process. Certain violations may also influence your legal standing, especially if they lead to repeated offenses or criminal charges.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

Certain traffic violations may be sealed or expunged under Florida Statutes 943.0585 and 943.059, as well as Chapter 11C-7 of the Florida Administrative Code. However, this applies only to violations classified as misdemeanors or felonies, such as DUI or reckless driving, and only if the individual was not adjudicated guilty of the offense.

Florida has strict rules for expungement and sealing. If someone has previously sealed or expunged a record, regardless of the state, they are typically disqualified from doing so again in Florida.

Anyone considering this process should speak with an attorney to understand their eligibility. Additional information is available on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

The FLHSMV allows state residents to request a copy of their driving record or vehicle history in three convenient ways: online, in person, or by mail.

Online: You may purchase a 3-year, 7-year, or complete driving record through the MyDMV Portal. To use this service, you will need to set up an account if you haven't already. Instructions for creating an account are available on the FLHSMV's MyDMV Portal page.
In Person: Driver records may also be obtained from an FLHSMV driver's license service center, a clerk of court office that offers this service, or an authorized private vendor. Make sure to bring valid identification and provide the required information to complete your request.
By Mail: To request your own driving record by mail, complete and sign the Driver License Records Request Form, then send it with the applicable fee to:

Bureau of Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 52

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0575

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Florida?

The cost for an FLHSMV driving record is $8 for a 3-year record and $10 for a 7-year or complete record.

If you order online, you may pay with a credit or debit card and receive your record instantly by email or by mail.

For in-person requests at a driver's license service center, clerk of court office, or private vendor, accepted payment methods may include cash, check, money order, or card. Records are typically issued right away.

For mail-in requests, send the fees using a check or money order payable to the Division of Motorist Services. Mail-in requests typically take about 10 business days to process.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

The FLHSMV provides a free Online Driver License Check which you may use to check the current status of your driver's license. Third-party websites may also offer free access to certain DMV records online.

Additionally, you may view traffic case records for free through public access databases maintained by court clerks. To search these databases, you typically only need a case number, citation number, or the defendant's name, and no registration or login is required.

You may also visit the courthouse where the case was heard to inspect traffic records in person. According to Florida's Sunshine Law, you are entitled to view these records without paying a fee.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

In Florida, a bad driving record generally reflects a history of violations, with moving violations like speeding, reckless driving, and DUI having a more significant impact than non-moving violations (e.g., parking tickets).

Moving violations may result in points on your driving record, which may lead to higher penalties or even license suspension. Non-moving violations, like parking tickets, although less impactful, may still result in fines and registration issues. Warnings generally do not result in citations or points but may be noted in police reports.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

A bad driving record may result in higher car insurance premiums. For example, a reckless driving citation in Florida may increase your premiums by an average of $981 per year.

Moreover, the consequences of a DUI conviction go beyond legal penalties. Under Florida Statute 316.193, even a first-time offense results in a criminal record, which may jeopardize jobs in healthcare, law enforcement, or government positions, especially those requiring trust and responsibility, such as roles for nurses, doctors, and financial professionals.

Who Can Access Your Florida Driving History?

Under Florida's Sunshine Law, traffic records maintained by state agencies, including the FLHSMV and the courts, are generally considered public records. However, the following personal details are exempt from public disclosure under Florida Statute 119.0712(2) and the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA):

Name
Social Security Number
Residential address
Telephone number
Driver's license or ID card number
Medical or disability information
Emergency contact information
Email addresses

Despite these exemptions, certain individuals and organizations, including the following may access a driver's personal information:

Law enforcement agencies
Individuals or organizations with the record holder's written consent
Towing companies (for vehicle towing or impoundment notifications)
Auto manufacturers (for recall purposes)
Government or private agencies/companies (for personal information verification)

FAQs About Florida Driving Records

Below are some frequently asked questions(FAQs) regarding Florida driving records.

Can I Request My Vehicle Record in Florida for Free?

You may check your Florida driver's license status for free using the FLHSMV's Online Driver License Check. However, requesting a 3-year, 7-year, or complete driving record requires paying a fee.

Can Employers See My Driving History?

Yes, employers may access your driving history in Florida with your written consent for certain checks.

Does a Traffic Ticket in Another State Affect My Florida Driving Report?

Yes, if you receive a citation in another state, it will be sent to Florida and added to your driving report. Points may be added if the violation is point-accessible under Florida Statute 322.27(3), and Florida law does not permit schools or programs to remove points for out-of-state citations.