Virginia Driving Records

Driving records, also known as driving history reports or DMV driving records, are official documents maintained by each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency. These records typically include information such as license status, traffic violations, and any other driving-related incidents.

Each U.S. state maintains its own driving records system, meaning the format, content, and accessibility of reports may vary significantly. State-specific laws govern request access and who is authorized to request them.

If you are in Virginia, you must familiarize yourself with state rules to monitor your driving behavior and avoid potential penalties associated with having a bad driving record.

What Is a Virginia Driving Record?

A Virginia driving record or driver record is an official document that provides a detailed history of a person's driving activity in the state. They are also often called motor vehicle records (MVRs), driver abstracts, or driver history reports.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is tasked with safekeeping and providing access to these documents following state and federal mandates.

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

If you need a document for legal, employment, insurance, or other official purposes, the official driver record is the appropriate choice. This record is issued directly by the Virginia DMV and contains information officially maintained by the agency.

Access to official driver records is typically restricted under state and federal privacy laws to protect personal information. Only individuals or entities with a legally authorized purpose, such as employers, insurance companies, or courts, may obtain them, often with the recordholder's consent.

For individuals seeking regular driving history not intended for formal or legal use, a public driving record is sufficient. Unlike official driver records, public records are often available through third-party services like RecordsFinder.

These records are usually compiled from publicly available data and may lack the accuracy, completeness, or official verification found in DMV-issued records.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

Your Virginia driving record may prove crucial in the following legal, professional, and personal contexts:

• Insurance Purposes: Auto insurers in Virginia use driving records to evaluate risk. A history of accidents or violations may lead to higher premiums, while a clean record may qualify for discounts.
• Employment Verification: Employers, especially those in transportation or driving-related fields, may request driver records to ensure candidates have a safe driving history.
• Legal Matters: Your driving report may be critical if you are involved in a traffic-related legal case. It may influence plea bargains or sentencing of traffic-related cases.
• Restoration of Driving Privileges: If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may need to provide your driving history report to petition for restoration.
• Out-of-State License Transfers: When applying for a Virginia driver's license after moving from another state, your prior driving history may be reviewed as part of the license issuance process.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Applications or Renewals: CDL applicants and holders often need to submit a clean driving record to meet Virginia DMV and federal safety regulations.
• Personal Recordkeeping: You may obtain your record to monitor demerit points, verify information, or keep track of license status for peace of mind or future planning.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

Among the key elements included in a Virginia driver report are:

• Personal Information:
  • Full name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
• License Information
  • Driver's license number
  • Issue and expiration date
  • License class
• License Status
  • Current status of the license, such as valid, expired, suspended, or revoked
  • Any restrictions placed on the license
• Driving Violations and Convictions
  • List of traffic violations and offenses
  • Convictions resulting from violations, including dates and fines
• Accidents
  • Information about accidents that the driver has been involved in
  • List of at-fault accidents
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
  • List of DUI or DWI offenses
  • Date of the offenses and penalties
• Traffic School or Defensive Driving Course
  • Contains completion of court-ordered traffic school or defensive driving courses

Types of Driver Records Available in Virginia

The Virginia DMV offers distinct types of driver records, each designed for specific purposes and with a varying scope of driving history information:

• Driver or Personal Use Record: This record is intended for personal reference and generally includes up to 11 years of driving history.
• Employment, School, or Military Use Record: Available for employers, educational institutions, or military branches, this record generally includes up to 7 years of driving history. A signed release from the individual is required for these entities to access the record.
• Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Record: This record includes up to 7 years of driving history, is tailored for individuals working with TNC, and is typically used for employment verification within the TNC industry.
• Insurance Record: This type of record is specifically for insurance companies to assess risk and determine premiums. It provides up to 5 years of your driving history.
• Habitual Offender Restoration Record: This record type is crucial if you petition the court to restore your license after a suspension. It contains up to 11 years of driving behavior and serves as part of the legal process for license reinstatement.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Virginia

In Virginia, traffic violations refer to offenses that breach the provisions of Virginia Code Title 46.2. These violations are addressed through the state's legal system, and penalties vary based on the seriousness of the offense. Consequences may include substantial fines, the suspension of driving privileges, or, in more severe instances, imprisonment in a state correctional facility.

The Commonwealth categorizes traffic violations into three main types: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. These cases are handled by General District Courts throughout the state.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Most traffic violations in the state are classified as moving or non-moving violations.

Moving violations occur when a driver breaches traffic laws while operating the vehicle. Examples may include speeding, improper lane changes, running red lights, reckless driving, DUI, or fleeing from law enforcement.

On the other hand, non-moving violations involve offenses related to the vehicle's condition, documentation, or how and where it is parked. Common examples typically include parking violations, driving on a suspended license, failure to carry proof of insurance, or equipment violations.

As mentioned, traffic violations in the state may be categorized as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, depending on their severity.

Most traffic infractions are not considered criminal offenses as they involve non-criminal breaches of traffic laws. They usually include fines and demerit points on records.

Misdemeanors are classified as criminal offenses and may result in higher fines and up to one year's jail sentence. Meanwhile, felonies represent the most severe category and often involve traffic violations causing injury or death. They carry substantial fees as well as at least five years of imprisonment.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

A Virginia traffic ticket is a formal notice of a traffic violation. It is typically issued as a yellow long-form document or white paper printed directly from an officer's in-vehicle system. Regardless of its format, the summons is an official, sworn statement by the law enforcement officer outlining the alleged offense.

Once you receive the ticket, you must respond by the deadline, typically within 40 days from the date it was issued. Ignoring the ticket or missing the deadline may lead to more serious consequences, such as additional fines or even the suspension of your driver's license.

You have two main options to handle the ticket: pay the fine or contest the charge in court.

If you choose to pay, you are admitting guilt and agreeing to accept all the associated penalties, including any fines, fees, or surcharges. Payment may be made online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse.

If you decide to contest the ticket, you will need to appear in court on the date and time listed. There, you will have a chance to enter your plea and explain your side of the story, while the officer who issued the ticket may also testify.

If the judge finds you not guilty, you will not have to pay the fine, and no points will be added to your driving record. But if you are found guilty, you may be required to pay fines and fees, and points could be assessed against your license.

How Does the Virginia Point System Work?

The Virginia DMV uses a point system to track driving behavior. It assigns demerit points for traffic violations and safe driving points for good driving behavior.

When a driver is convicted of a traffic violation, the DMV typically assigns 3, 4, or 6 demerit points based on the severity of the offense:

3-Point Violations

• Speeding
• Improper turn
• Failure to obey a traffic signal
• Using a handheld device while driving

4-Point Violations

• Reckless driving
• Tailgating
• Disregarding the officer's signal to stop
• Passing a stopped school bus

6-Point Violations

• DUI
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Driving on a suspended license
• Attempting to evade police

Virginia DMV takes action based on your age and number of demerit points:

For Drivers Under 18:

• First offense: Must complete a driver improvement clinic.
• Second offense: License suspended for 90 days.
• Third offense: License revoked for one year or until age 18.

For Drivers 18 or Older:

• 8 points in 12 months or 12 points in 24 months: Receive a notice letter from the DMV about the possible consequences of further violations
• 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months: Must attend a driver improvement clinic within 90 days.
• 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months: License suspension for 90 days.

As for safe driving points, you may earn 1 point for each calendar year you drive without any violations. You may earn up to 5 total points, which may offset demerit points and avoid negative consequences.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

The points from the violation remain active for 2 years. However, violations may stay on your record for 3 to 11 years, depending on the severity of the offense. Alcohol-related charges or those involving commercial vehicles may remain on record permanently.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

In Virginia, you may seal or expunge traffic violations classified as misdemeanors or felonies. However, this is only possible if you were acquitted, the charges were dismissed, or the case was not pursued.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

The Virginia DMV allows drivers to request their driving record online, by mail, or in person:

Online

• Visit the Virginia driving record online request platform.
• Enter your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth.
• Follow all other on-screen prompts and pay the required fee.

By Mail

• Print and fill out the Information Request Form (CRD-93).

• Send the completed form along with the payment to the address below.

  Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

  Attention: Customer Records Work Center

  P. O. Box 27412

  Richmond, VA 23269

In Person

• Visit any Virginia DMV office.
• Bring a valid identification document and pay the required fee.

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

Virginia driving records cost $8 if requested online and $9 if requested in person or by mail. If you require certification, an additional $5 fee applies.

Upon payment, online requests will be processed immediately. In-person requests are processed within the day, while mail requests may take a couple of weeks to process and deliver.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free?

Obtaining an official driving record in Virginia typically requires a fee. However, certain aspects of a driver's history may be reviewed at no cost.

The Virginia DMV allows drivers to check their current demerit point balance online. By logging into the DMV system with personal credentials, drivers may view recent violations and the points assessed on their licenses.

Additionally, you may request a National Driver Register (NDR) File Check. This report is free of charge and contains information on serious infractions such as license suspensions, revocations, or convictions for significant traffic violations.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

Drivers with multiple traffic violations, at-fault accidents, a history of license suspensions or revocations, and accumulated demerit points are considered to have a bad driving record. In Virginia, this poor driving behavior may lead to various consequences.

Generally, moving violations are recorded on your driving record. Non-moving offenses, such as parking tickets, do not appear and therefore do not impact your driving history. Likewise, officer warnings are not recorded and do not affect your driving record.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

Auto insurance companies in Virginia assess risk largely based on your driving history. A bad record may result in one or more of the following:

• Higher premiums
• Policy cancellation or non-renewal
• SR-22 requirement
• Limited coverage options

Employers, particularly those hiring for driving-related positions such as delivery, transportation, and commercial driving often review applicants' driving records. If you have a poor driving history, you might be disqualified from driving-related positions, lose company vehicle privileges, and have issues maintaining a commercial driver's license.

Who Can Access Your Virginia Driving History?

Access to your Virginia driving records is strictly regulated by both federal and state laws to protect personal privacy.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 restricts the disclosure of personal information from state motor vehicle records. Virginia laws further protect these DMV records under the Virginia Code Section 46.2-208. It classifies personal, driver, and vehicle information as confidential and may only be released under specific statutory conditions.

Both the federal DPPA and state laws allow disclosure of driving record information to the following entities:

• Law enforcement and government agencies for official functions
• Insurance companies for assessing risk
• Employers for background checks
• Legal representatives for legal proceedings
• You for personal purposes
• Entities with your written consent

FAQs About Virginia Driving Records

To learn more about Virginia driving records, read through the following common questions:

Related Articles

When Your Driving License Can Be Revoked and What You Can Do About It?

Is Drunk Driving a Felony, What’s the Punishment, and How Many People Die From It?

What Is a Clean Driving Record, How It Affects Insurance and How to Keep It Clean

What is an Ignition Interlock Device?