How to Get Your Driving Record in New York

You can obtain a copy of your New York driver record online, by mail, or in person at your local DMV. The fee varies from $5 to $10, depending on the record type.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Kianna Walpole
background
Your
New York
driving record is a detailed public record of your driving history. It can include personal information and detailed reports on accidents, tickets, license suspensions, and even defensive driver courses you may have taken.
  • You can request a copy of your New York driving record online, in person, or by mail for $5 or $10.
  • New York has three types of driving records: standard, lifetime, and
    commercial driver license
    records.
  • Driving violations on your record can increase your New York insurance rates.

Get your New York driving record online, in person, or by mail

There are 3 ways to request a copy of your New York driving record: online, in person, or by mail—your driving record will be the same regardless of your chosen method.

Online 

You can save and print a PDF copy of your Standard, Lifetime, or CDL driving record abstract online through MyDMV. Once downloaded, you will have five days to view and print it. The fee for an online copy is $5.
Here’s how to access your driving record online:
  1. Navigate to the
    New York MyDMV webpage
  2. Create a MyDMV account (you’ll need your most recent New York State driver's license, permit, or non-driver ID to do this)
  3. Follow the prompts on the screen
Note: To create a MyDMV account, you’ll need the following information:
  • Your
    New York State driver's license
    , learner permit, or non-driver ID (if you don’t have a New York State license, permit, or non-driver ID, you cannot register for the NY DMV website)
  • The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

In-person

To access a copy of your New York driving record in person, visit your local New York DMV office and bring the following

By mail

To request your driving record by mail, you’ll need to complete the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Request for DMV Records form
(MV-15) and send it to the following address: 
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
MV-15 Processing
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany NY 12228
Along with a completed form, you must include a $10 check or money order made payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and a copy of your New York driver’s license.  

You can request a record for someone else

In New York, you can also request another person’s vehicle record. 
To do so, fill out the
Records Request Navigator
online or request in person by filling out the request for driving record information sheet (
MV-15C
).

The 3 types of driving records in NY

If you’re requesting a copy of your New York driving record from the NY DMV, there are 3 types available:
  1. Standard driving record: This only contains pertinent information that the DMV must keep. Certain violations may or may not be removed over time, so be sure to check in occasionally.
  2. Lifetime driving record: Contains all information the DMV has on a driver—regardless of data retention laws.
  3. Commercial driver license (CDL) record: A more expansive driving record that shows not only driver history information but also convictions, revocations,
    license suspensions
    , and any other type of action outside New York State at any time.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what you’ll find on each driving record:
Driving record type
Contents
Standard record
Personal Information
License status summary
Activity
Suspensions and revocations
Non-vehicular convictions
Convictions and bail forfeitures
Accidents
Lifetime record
Standard driving record contents, plus:
Non-driver ID
Permit history
Changes to class or privilege
Merges
Address history
Commercial driving license (CDL) record
Expanded driver history not available on a standard driving record (in any state and vehicle type):
Licensing actions
RevocationsConvictions
Suspensions
A CDL also includes Self Certification information and Medical Certification. 

Your driving record includes information about you and your driving history

Since you were first granted driving privileges, your state Department of Motor Vehicles has kept records of what you do—it’s called a driving record or driver abstract.
A motor vehicle driving record is a history of all non-moving and moving violations, convictions, collisions, and actions received by a driver over a specific period outlined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law. 
There are several types of driving records available, and what’s on yours will depend on the type of license class you have.

How your driving record impacts you

No matter the circumstances, your driving record has consequences. Here are some ways it can affect your daily life.

Your insurance premium

Your driving record plays a key role in determining your
car insurance
rates.
Depending on how many violations you might have, insurance providers might deem you a
high-risk driver
, and your premiums could rise significantly. A single speeding ticket, for example, can spike your insurance rate by an average of 20% in New York.
Keeping your driving record clean could earn you discounts on your overall payments. 

Your ability to drive

Major violations, such as a
DUI
or
reckless driving
, can impact your ability to drive. New York State may suspend your license depending on the severity of your infractions. Additionally, having too many points on your record could also cause your license to be suspended.

Your credit rating

Although your record won’t affect your credit scores, failing to pay outstanding tickets will. Many cities issue late fees if your tickets are not paid on time, and if you neglect those, they will be sent to a collections agency—where you’ll end up with a hit on your credit rating. 
New York State supports using
credit-based insurance scores
by car insurance underwriters.

Your job prospects

Depending on the job, some jobs require a
clean driving record
as a precondition of employment. If your job requires you to spend a bit of time driving, check your driving record to ensure it’s as clean as possible.
Key Takeaway: Your driving record is more than just a record. It can significantly impact other areas of your life—so it’s always best to keep it as clean as possible.

FAQs

To request a copy of your driving record online, navigate to the
New York MyDMV webpage
and create a MyDMV account. Once you log in, follow the screen prompts and be prepared to pay the $5 fee by debit or credit card.
The length of time a conviction stays on your driving record depends on what the conviction is. 
Accidents and most traffic violations remain on your record until the end of the year in which the accident or conviction occurred, plus three additional years. A
DUI/DWI
conviction remains on your record for 15 years from the date of conviction. Severe violations like vehicular homicide may be displayed permanently.
No—New York offers a point reduction program to help drivers clean up their driving record and avoid further penalties, but it doesn’t remove points.
Completing a Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) course, also known as a
defensive driving course
, won’t remove a violation, conviction, or points from your driving record—most violations will show on your record for up to 4 years. However, point reduction helps reduce the total points received in 18 months on your driving record by 4 points to avoid a possible license suspension.
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