Your Minnesota driving record contains your complete history as a driver in the state, starting from when you first got your driver’s license. You can access a certified copy for $10 or an uncertified copy for $9.

As a driver, you want to keep your record as clean as possible. Poor driving records can have profound consequences—not only on your ability to drive, but on your life. Having a sterling driving record can pay off when you’re purchasing

car insurance

, too.

Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about your Minnesota driving record, including what’s on it, how to get access to it, and how it impacts you.

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What’s a driving record?

In Minnesota, your driving record is a detailed history of your time as a licensed driver on state roads.

Types of driving records in Minnesota

In The Gopher State, you can access two types of driving records:

Certified copy—your complete history

Non-certified copy—conviction history for the past five years

As well, Minnesota driving records have four distinct categories of information. They are:

Public information—available to anyone

Status of your license (valid, suspended, revoked, canceled)

Zip code

Convictions

Any outstanding fees or fines

Height, weight, eye & hair colors

Restricted information—available to you or authorized requesters on your behalf

Your name

Your date of birth

Your address

Your Minnesota driver’s license number

Private information—available only to you or an authorized requester on your behalf

Social security number (SSN)

Any disability information

Designated caregiver information

Medical information

Confidential information—available only to authorized employees of Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Family-submitted information about your ability to drive

Traffic accidents

Traffic violations

Driver’s license suspensions, revocations, or cancelations

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How to get my Minnesota driving record

You can request your Minnesota driving record by completing a

Record Request Form (PS2505)

. An official, certified copy will cost $10. If you want an unofficial copy for personal or informational use, the cost is $9.

Request a Minnesota driving record on someone else’s behalf

Requesting someone else’s Minnesota driving record must be done in person or by mail—not online.

To do so, you must complete the

Grant Access to Record Authorization Form (PS 2506)

and mail or deliver in person the completed form to:

Driver and Vehicle Services

445 Minnesota Street, Suite 161

St. Paul, MN 55101

A certified copy costs $10.50 while an uncertified copy costs $9.50.

Ultimately, the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services will decide whether the requester can have access to the record.

Can I request a Minnesota driving record elsewhere?

You can get a copy of your driving record from a car insurance company or an online, third-party vendor. It will be more expensive than going through official channels and you may not get the most accurate version of your driving record.

Auto insurance agent

If you’re buying auto insurance, your insurer will have access to your driving record. You can ask them for a copy and they will likely hand one over. Do know, however, that this copy will not be considered official.

Online third-party vendors

If you’re in a bind, you can go online to a third-party vendor and order a copy of your driving record. Note that third-party vendors might not have the most accurate version of your driving record. Before you order, ask if the vendor can obtain an official and accurate copy.

Minnesota points system

Minnesota does not run a points system for driver infractions. Still, under certain circumstances, your driver’s license can be suspended, revoked, or canceled for violations such as

a DUI

In lieu of a points system, Minnesota drivers must comply with Minnesota’s Safe and Sober Campaign, which has the following components:

Grant Program—increases community outreach and traffic enforcement for law enforcement agencies

Challenge Program—goal is to recognize law enforcement agencies who successfully reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries on state roads

Saved by the Belt Program—promotes seatbelt use across the state

Operation Nighttime Concentrated Alcohol Patrol—works to prevent impaired driving (drugs and alcohol) related road fatalities

Consequences of your driving record

While Minnesota does not run a points program, the state does record every driver’s traffic violations and adds them to their respective records.

If you have too many infractions, your license may be suspended. Each subsequent violation can bring even more severe penalties.

If your license is suspended or revoked in Minnesota, it will not be reinstated until you have completed all requirements deemed necessary by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

How can your driving record affect your life?

Your driving record can have both a direct and indirect impact on your life. Here's what it can influence:

Your insurance premiums

If you have a spotless driving record, expect to enjoy lower auto insurance premiums than drivers with less-than-sterling records. On the contrary, if your driving record is poor, insurers will deem you high risk and your premiums will skyrocket.

Your driving privileges

If you have too many violations on your driving record in Minnesota, your license can be suspended, revoked, or canceled. The only way to get it reinstated is to meet all requirements set out by Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety.

Your credit rating

Your driving record itself won’t affect your credit rating, but if you have a slew of unpaid tickets or fines on your record, you may be in trouble. You’ll face late fees and the state can send a collection agency after you. If this happens, your credit rating can take a nosedive.

Your job prospects

If you’re looking for a job and driving is an integral part of it, your driving record must be totally clean. If not, the odds of you landing a driving-related job will be very low.

MORE:

How do I get rid of accidents on my driving record?

Is there a difference between driving records from different states?

If you reside in Minnesota with a Minnesota driver’s license, then that’s the state where your driving record will be held. But even if you commit a traffic violation out-of-state, your Minnesota driving record will likely be affected.

Minnesota is a signatory to the Driver’s License Compact (DLC), an agreement that facilitates the sharing of traffic violations information between states. If you commit a traffic violation elsewhere in the U.S., Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety will eventually hear about it—and your driving record will be updated accordingly.

All states except five participate in the DLC. The five-non signatory states are:

Even though these states are not a part of the DLC, most states have other reciprocal agreements, which allow the sharing of information like traffic and driving-related data.

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