One of the most important pieces of information for you to know is what shows up on your driving record. It may not seem like it’s a big deal, but the last thing you want is to be surprised by it if you are stopped by a law enforcement agency officer or if you go to apply for a job with legal working status and are turned down. With as many unemployed people as there are in today’s economy, anything to get you an edge will definitely help. There are even some companies that don’t have driving jobs that are still checking your driving history, just to make sure they are picking a trustworthy and responsible candidate. Some programs, such as the General Services Administration , provide the support necessary to make these checks happen, especially for federal or government jobs.
It’s also important if you drive within different states to know what your history is in those states. For example, the Transportation Cabinet of Kentucky may have different information than the Department of Driver Services in Georgia. This is especially vital if you have moved to, or have visited, various states. Luckily, getting your driving record is not that hard; in fact, it’s actually quite easy. After all, you have the right to know everything about yourself.
What Shows Up on My Driving Record?
The information on a driving history varies between the different states. But some items will be the same throughout. For example, major accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets will almost always be a part of your record. The length they stay on your record depends on the severity of the offense what you have done to try to work it off. Some states have offenses that drop off after a set period of time; it really all depends on what you did and where you were when it happened. Examples of what the different states include on their records include:
- Georgia Driving Record – There are three- and seven-year driving histories available in Georgia. As the names suggest, that is how far back the history will go. Every driving offense will be listed on there. It will also let you know of anything that may still be outstanding, giving you the chance to adequately deal with the situation. Georgia also allows you to order a certified copy of your driving record, which you can then present to any court or employer that requests it.
- Maryland Driving Record – In Maryland, driving offenses remain on your record for three years, unless it is particularly heinous, such as a DUI or causing an accident. Also on your record will be your vehicle information, license status, and your insurance information. Back in 2000, Maryland implemented a law that states your information will be private unless you specifically request, in writing, otherwise. Like Georgia, Maryland also allows you to obtain certified copies of your driving records.
- Ohio Driving Record – Ohio permits its drivers to obtain a three-year driving history. On the record it will include the license status, any driving convictions, and an accident report, even if it was not your fault. Ohio also allows its residents to get a two-year abstract, which is an unofficial document that allows you to see the highlights of your driving career. It allows to see any potential surprises or pitfalls that may show up on the complete history before it gets into the hands of anyone else.
- Virginia Driving Record – The state of Virginia has a lot of options when it comes to your personal driving history. They have some records that go back eleven years, depending on why you need the information. If it’s for your personal use or for the court, the lengthy record is used; however, if it’s for employment or some other use, typically the records only go back for seven years.
As you can see, each state has its own idea as to handle the records for its drivers. It’s important to check the records in each of the states you have driven in; this way you know exactly what to expect when it comes time to look for a job or if you have to go to court for any reason.
I Know My Driving Record is Clean, Why Should I Check My Driving History?
Even if you’ve never been pulled over or had an encounter with a traffic officer, it’s still important to know what your driving record says about you. There could be surprises you may not even know about, such as red light cameras or other stealthy moves the law enforcement tries to do. Normally, they have to mail you any tickets or offenses, but things get shuffled around and lost in the mail all of the time. Also, if you’ve moved or have stayed in various locations, it can be difficult to get your mail in the first place. With e-technology being the way it is, many people never even bother to check their snail mail, which means things get misplaced, lost, thrown away, or forgotten about.
Plus, if you’ve ever let anyone else drive your car for any reason, they could have done something and now it shows up on your record. It’s absolutely worth any investment just to make sure you do have as clean of a driving history as you think you do. This way, if something does show up, you can take care of it before it affects the status of your license. If your friend or relative was driving your car, you may be able to prove that and then you are no longer on the hook for any potential fallout.
What’s the License Status?
The status of your license simply means whether you are okay to drive with it or if it has been suspended or revoked for any reason. In fact, the vast majority of people never even realize their license has been suspended until they are pulled over by a police officer for some other reason. It usually takes a pretty serious offense to get your license suspended, such as a DUI or reckless driving that causes an accident; however, if you get enough minor offenses piled on in a short period of time, your license can be suspended for that, too.
If you are caught driving on a suspended license, the consequences will be very severe, even if you didn’t know the status of your license. At the very least, you’ll be hit with a ticket and will have to find some other way home. If the officer isn’t feeling particularly friendly, you could be arrested and face criminal charges.
The way to get your suspended license reinstated varies according to which state you’re in. Most states will require you to attend some form of traffic school and have you pay a fine. If there have been many offenses against your license in a short amount of time, however, you may simply be forced to wait out the suspension, which could be anywhere from one month to one year.
If your license has been revoked, it means you are never again allowed to drive within that state. As you can see, it’s typically reserved for especially heinous offenses, such as multiple DUIs, or being the cause of accident resulting in someone’s death. Driver’s licenses can also be revoked for medical reasons; for example, if you can no longer see. Basically, anything that the state feels will make you a hazard to be around other drivers. Revocations are only valid in the state, but odds are good if you aren’t allowed to drive in one state, you won’t be allowed to drive in the others, either.
Who Can Access My Driving Record?
In the vast majority of the states, only you are allowed to access your driving record unless you give express, written approval. This means you may have to provide documentation proving you are who you say you are. Some employers may request for you to let them access your records, which they are within their rights to ask. Usually, part of the paperwork they have you fill out for employment will include a form that gives them access.
The only other time your records can be accessed is through a court of law. If you are on trial, especially for a driving offense, they may have the right to subpoena your driving history. This will let them see if any offenses are a one-off thing or if it may be an established pattern. If it’s something not quite as serious, such as small claims court for accident damage, you may want to bring a copy of your driving history with you. Again, anything that might make you look favorable for the judge can only help your case.
Why Would an Employer Need to See My Records?
There are actually a number of reasons why a potential employer would want to take a look at your driving history. The most obvious is that you’re going to be performing a driving role. If you’re going to be driving on company time, anything from long-haul trucker to in-home technicians, to pizza delivery, the company has to be sure they’re getting a safe and reliable driver. If ticket after ticket shows up on your personal driving history, that will cost them time and money and they probably will not want to work with you.
Even if you are going to be performing an office job, or some other job where driving won’t be required, a potential employer still may want to know your driving history. With so many people looking for a job, companies are looking for even the slightest of things to give one candidate an edge over another. Sometimes a small thing on your driving history can make or break you.
That being said, if a company does find something on your history that may influence their decision on whether or not you get the job, they have to notify you in writing. Once they’ve written that letter, they then have to give you time to address the situation. If you’ve dealt with it to their satisfaction, they cannot hold it against you. This means they are also not allowed to deny you employment until ample time has passed.
What if Something Shows Up On My Driving Record? What Can I do About it?
If there’s an issue that crops up on your driving history that you didn’t know about, you have several options available, depending on what it is, the severity of the offense, and how much time has passed. For the most part, all you need to do is call your local driving organization and check with them as to the best way to handle it. If it’s an unpaid ticket, you may simply need to pay it and then be done with it.
If you feel like a mistake has been made, you absolutely need to contact your local department of motor vehicles. You need to make sure you have all of your documentation ready, as they will require you to have proof of your statements. If a ticket was attributed to your car and you weren’t driving, you may need to produce the person who was driving and they’ll need to make a statement. If you’re absolutely positive there was an error, and have proof, and the DMV won’t listen, you may need to then seek out legal representation to help with your situation.
Even if there were no mistakes and the offenses listed are legitimate, you at least have the advantage of knowing what you are up against. Therefore, if you are sitting in an interview, and the person sitting across from you asks about your driving record, you can be ready with an explanation. It’s way better than being caught off guard and stammering to say something logical that won’t completely throw you or the potential employer off the right track.
This is just a small snippet of what knowing your driving record can do for you and what shows up on them. Each state has their own rules and their own regulations, so it will be smart of you to check in with each individual state in which you have driven. This way you can familiarize yourself with what your complete driving history says with no more questions, holes, or doubts.
If you need any help with driving records, knowing how to read them, or are simply ready to know what they say, be sure to visit www.4safedrivers.com. They can get records from all fifty states quickly and affordably. You can sign up as an individual or you can make a business account, making it easy for you to access records whenever you want or need to. They also provide other services such as background screening, giving you some piece of mind for you or your company.
