How to Get Your New York Driving Record

Every licensed New York driver has a driving record that is used by the state to keep track of how many violations and accidents you have had. The information on your driving record is used to assess future renewals of your license, as well as any suspensions or surcharges. Yet despite the importance of this document, most New York drivers have very little knowledge of what's actually on their records.

What's On My New York Driving Record?

In short, your driving record is an account of all your personal information, along with your driving history. It has a lot of the same information as your New York State driver's license, and also a brief account of your driving history. This can include:

Contact Information: Your name, date of birth, and mailing address.Class: What kinds of vehicles you are authorized to drive, as well as any endorsements or restrictions you may have (wearing glasses, for example).Status: Whether your license has expired or not, or if there are any suspensions or revocations applied to you.Violations: A summary of any moving violation convictions you may be carrying on your license. If you have taken a defensive driving course to erase points from your record, the change will be reflected here.

Where Can I Get My Driving Record?

It's easy to see why it's a good idea to keep an updated copy of your driving history, or at least know what information is found on there. Fortunately, there are several ways you can obtain your driver record from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

Via Telephone: You can call your local DMV branch to request a copy. You will be asked to provide information from your driver license to prove your identity, and you must have a credit card to pay the fees. The search fee is $10, and the processing fee is $5. Your record should arrive within 2 weeks.

Via Mail: So long as you have a Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)-permissible use for the abstract, you can mail in a request by filling out an MV-15 form. You must include both a photocopy of your proof of identity, and a check or money order. The fee is $10.

Via the New York DMV: So long as you bring proof of identity, a completed MV-15C form, and the $10 search fee, you can walk down to the local DMV office and get a copy the same day.

Via the Internet: The easiest and least expensive way is to get your driving record online, and there are a number of places you can get it. If you are already enrolling in a defensive driving online course, you can get a copy of your record during signup. You can also visit the DMV website, sign up for the MyDMV Get My Driving Record application and pay the $7 fee, you can immediately download, print, and save a certified copy. In addition, you will also receive a copy by mail (that takes 2 weeks for delivery).

Whether it's spotless or tarnished with violations, it's always a good idea to know what information is on your driver record.

There are many ways to keep your New York driver record clean, but the simplest way is to be the best driver you can possibly be. Defensivedrivingus.com is the premier online defensive driving course that teaches safe driving practices with entertaining animations and videos, making it fun to learn how to drive defensively. Whether you're looking to improve your skills, or you just want to keep your record clean by erasing points, an online defensive driving course is a great solution.