Check Driving History – Why you should check your driving history and how it's done
By doing a check on your driving history, you may save yourself a boatload of trouble. Checking your history allows you to see a number of different things, and it can aid you in many instances that don't necessarily revolve around driving.
- It will tell you if your license is suspended, any tickets or violations you may have, and gives you your license number and expiration date.
- Looking up your driving record may aid you when making workers compensation claims. If you have surfaced a work-related injury while on the job, obtaining an official record may get you your worker's comp.
- If you are applying for a job that involves driving a rented or company car, employers may use your driving record and the information it contains to do a character reference check as well. This could be due to a poor record or just to ensure you are a safe pick for an employee.
- There are other types of checks employers may do as well, especially if there are criminal charges linked to your traffic violations.
- An employer may need employment references from previous companies you worked for if you were a truck driver or an employee that consistently used a company vehicle.
Why use this method?
If your license is suspended, following the proper procedures is a lot more beneficial to your well-being than being pulled over and arrested. If you have tickets and violations on your record this may prevent you from getting quality insurance rates. Perhaps you are simply a curious person and want to see what shows up on when you check your driving history by typing in your name; however, be careful you do not commit a violation of privacy. Looking up another person's driving record for negative reasons may result in charges. Just a reminder!
How do I check my driving history?
Now, logically the next question is how to check my driving history? There are various ways this can be done. The three most popular ways to search for your driving history are as follows:
- You can go directly through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. The DMV website requires you to enter personal information such as name, address, drivers' license number, and what state your license is issued in. The site will then bring you to your allocated payment of fees and ask if you want a file mailed to you for purchase. If so, you will be required to agree to their terms and agreements before finalizing payment.
- You can go through your state's Department of Public Safety website. Your
state's website can lead you to one of two things. For some states the site will
simply redirect you to one of various private sites that can provide the service
for you. In most states however, the website will provide you with many viable
options. These include the different types of driver records:
- Type 1: Status Record- This supplies you with date of birth, home address, and original application.
- Type 2: 3-Year History- This supplies you with Type 1 information as well as list of crashes (only if a ticket was given), and all moving and nonmoving violations within the three year period.
- Type 2A: Certified 3-Year History- This supplies you with a certified version of Type 2 and this type of driving record may not be used for a defensive driving course.
- Type 3: List of all crashes and violations- This supplies you with Type 1 information and list of all crashes (whether a ticket was issued or not). Type 3 is slightly different; it can only be provided to the person it belongs to and similar to Type 2A, it cannot be used for defensive driving courses.
- Type 3A: Certified list of all crashed and violations: This supplies you with a certified version of Type 3. This record also can only be provided to the person it belongs to. However, this is the only driving record that can be used for defensive driving courses.
- Type AR: Certified abstract of complete driver record- This supplies you with Type 3 information as well as all suspensions contained within the record. Type AR essentially provides all information that is contained within a single person's driving record.
- You can go through a number of private websites that offer the service. Essentially the other sites will walk you through the same process with little variation. Most of the sites will give you the option to have a PDF emailed to you or sent out in the mail.
Why else would I need a driving record?
Your driving records can serve other purposes as well. For instance, if you were driving a company car on a business trip or if you drive truck for a living and get hurt during this process you could qualify for worker's compensation.
- What is worker's compensation?
- According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary the exact definition is "a system of insurance that reimburses an employer for damages that must be paid to an employee for injury occurring in the course of employment." Basically, workers are not able to sue their employers for work-related injuries; instead they must make a workers compensation claim.
- Worker's comp works as an incentive for employers to prevent on-the-job injuries and illnesses among employees. If an employee were to be injured on the job, liability for medical costs and care would far surpass that of beginning with a safe work environment. For this reason, most employers require their employees to take annual safety trainings as well as video and manual training upon hire.
Self-employment and checking driving records
Another helpful amenity these sites offer is the ability to check other person's driving safety records. For instance, if you are self-employed and need to hire a driver for deliveries or errands, you will want to know their driving history.
- By utilizing this process, the safety of your employees and the quality of your company can be ensured; no hazardous drivers here!
- People who are self-employed will most likely want to do background checks,
credit checks, or pre-employment drug tests on their potential employees as
well. This is a cost-efficient way to do things and may save the company money
later if they end up being randomly selected to be investigated by the
Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Labor.
- One cost-effective self-employment background check a person can implement is a Criminal Offender Profile Summary (C.O.P.S.). This check provides information regarding possible open arrest warrants, convictions, parole violations, as well as various other violations.
Be careful: Explanations of privacy policies
Be aware while checking other person's driving records that you can commit a violation of privacy. Civil actions can occur for anyone who looked up a private driving record in order to commercially solicit it or use it for any other unlawful purpose. Some explanations of privacy policies in the state of Florida are as follows
- Privacy Protection Act- In the state of Florida, the state law mandates that all motor vehicle, driver's license, and vehicle crash records are open for disclosure publicly. However, the Privacy Protection Act (PPA) keeps your personal information private under extenuating circumstances. When certain people look up your driving record all of your personal information is blocked, such as anything that would enable a person to steal your identity or cause you other identifiable issues. Essentially the PPA limits who has access to your personal information.
- Driver Privacy Protection Act- While this act is similar, it differs variably. When looking up a driver record the following information appears: social security number, driver's license number, address, phone number, and medical information. The DPPA protects this information by limiting access. What it does not do is protect your current driver status or information regarding a car accident that occurred during a traffic violation.
- Who has access to this information- There are some businesses as well as individuals that can obtain access to your personal information. For instance, any of the following do not have limited access: an automotive manufacturer recalling a vehicle, a government agency or private investigator (as long as there is reasonable cause), businesses verifying information in hopes of hiring you as an employee, insurance companies, and towing companies.
- Disclosing your information- There is a form that can be complete that offers the ability to disclose your information. If you have already completed this form and wish to cancel your disclosure you complete the form again and simply check the opposite box.
- Private websites- When you obtain a record from a private website, make sure to thoroughly read their information to ensure they are protecting your privacy. Most private websites will limit a person's access to your name, address, and social security number. Some may even require you to check a box for terms and agreements to their specific policies before allowing you to obtain a driving record.
Driving history checks are often paired with other types
Employers also often combine a driving history check with a background and reference check as well. These are implemented for those who rent or drive company cars and operate company vehicles on a daily basis.
- Driving history background check- While these are not the same as a criminal background check, some records may overlap. For instance, a driving under the influence offense (DUI) will show up in both a criminal background check as well as a driving history background check. This protects the employer, the employee, and the customer from being involved in any dangerous or less-than-savvy situations.
- Character reference- Besides a driving history check, a character reference check may also be filed. A character reference check involves letters of recommendation written to the employer, previous employer references, and even recommendations from previous landlords. An excellent character reference may be the difference between obtaining a good job, getting the lease on an apartment a step-up from where you are now or even adopting a pet from a local shelter.
- Various- There are also other types of checks that can be done along with a driving history check. An employer may do a driving history check and discover an overlapping criminal charge. This may give them grounds to do a criminal background check as well. For some places of employment a criminal background check is required before hire.
Checking your driving history in the state of Florida
In every state there is a specific website that can be utilized for information on how to check your driving history. In Florida, the website is fairly simple. The steps to obtain a record are as follows:
- On the left hand side there is a tab titled "Driver License Check," click on this.
- The next screen will lead you to find the following: driver license check, online insurance update, driving school eligibility check, social security number update, parental access of minor driving history, and driver license and ID card tracking system.
- The system then prompts you to enter your driver license number in order to access any of these features. Once entered, a screen will come up detailing how to obtain the driving record and a copy of some information.
You can also access the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles website [http://www.dmvflorida.org/]. The steps are as follows:
- From the website home screen, if you scroll down a little bit there is a panel on the left hand side titled "Driver's License." Within this box are multiple options regarding driving, among them is "Driving Records." Clicking on this.
- It will bring you to a page with a list of options on obtaining your driving record. There are three options for ordering a PDF of your record that will be emailed instantly to you; there is the 3-year, 7-year, and complete driving record. It is recommended for anyone who took traffic school to order the complete driving record; otherwise all results may not show up.
- If you would rather obtain a paper copy, there is an option for that too. You will need to submit a request containing, full name, birth date, social security number, driver's license number, and an address to send the record. An address is then provided for where you need to send your personal information to. Within 30 days you should receive your record and upon ordering payment is required of either check or money order. The prices are as follows: 3-year is $8, 7-year is $10, and 3 or 7-year certified is $10.
Ultimately, ordering a driving record is a small price to pay when it can so heavily impact your cost of insurance and your likelihood of obtaining a job. Once you obtain the record and have read it over carefully, if there is a mistake or a misunderstanding on the record, Florida DMV has provided a number on the website to contact them and correct the error. The number is for the customer service department at the DMV, (850) 922-9000.
Have you decided that now is a good time to check your driving history? Just remember a small price and a little trouble now can save you embarrassment, save you criminal charges, and help you get the low price on insurance or that job you have been vying for. Go to our website at 4safedrivers.com to obtain your record now. Our website is easy to use, helpful to you as our customer, and contains quality information regarding how to order your record. Remember, checking your driving history can ultimately help you out in the long run, whether it is getting your dream job, your perfect home, or a loving companion at a local shelter. Remarkably, your driving record can impact almost every aspect of your life.
