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Understand when a background check includes DMV records, how to choose a driver abstract, and what to do about inaccurate driving information.
A criminal-record check does not automatically include DMV driving history
Ask whether the package includes an MVR
An ordinary criminal-record check and a motor vehicle record are different products. A background-screening package may combine them, but a criminal court/repository search alone does not automatically include driver-license status, suspensions, reportable traffic convictions or crash information. If driving history matters, order the state’s motor vehicle record (MVR) or confirm that the third-party package specifically includes an MVR component.
What a motor vehicle record may contain
| Possible MVR field | California example | New York example |
|---|---|---|
| License status / class | California DMV driver records report license information and status-related data. | New York’s Standard/Lifetime/CDL abstracts show license-related information under the selected abstract type. |
| Convictions / departmental actions | California says reportable convictions can remain for different periods and departmental actions can appear. | New York abstracts can include convictions, suspensions and revocations under state retention rules. |
| Crashes / accidents | California driver records can include reportable accidents. | New York abstracts can include accidents for the state’s published retention period. |
| Course or compliance information | Depends on state/product. | New York describes certain course-completion information in driver records. |
What an MVR does not prove
Not a general criminal-history repository
An MVR is built around driver licensing and motor-vehicle events. It should not be described as a complete search of felony/misdemeanor court cases.
Not every traffic event lives forever
Retention periods vary by state and event. A Standard abstract can be intentionally narrower than a Lifetime product, and even a “lifetime” label is governed by that state’s data rules.
Not a vehicle-title history
A driver abstract concerns the driver record. Vehicle title, registration, lien and ownership records are different DMV products.
Not conclusive about identity outside the licensing system
The record is tied to the state driver profile and supplied identifiers. It does not replace fingerprint identification for a criminal-history product that requires fingerprints.
Access to another person’s DMV data is purpose-restricted
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01
Use the self-service route only for your own record
California’s online driver record is an own-record service. Requests for another person’s driver record use a different form/process.
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State the permissible purpose
Federal law, the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, generally restricts state DMV disclosure of personal information except for enumerated permissible uses or qualifying consent. State forms operationalize those purpose requirements.
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Follow the state-specific requester form
California DMV record requests distinguishes own records from requests for another person and protects confidential personal information. New York likewise publishes request forms and permitted record products.
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Do not repurpose data
A record obtained for one permitted purpose should not be casually reused for an unrelated purpose. Follow the law, the state form certification and any recipient/employer rules that apply.
Employment screening adds FCRA-style disclosure and adverse-action steps
| Employment stage | What federal guidance says | DMV implication |
|---|---|---|
| Before the report | The FTC says an employer using a consumer reporting company generally must provide a standalone disclosure and obtain written permission. | If driving history is ordered through the screening company, it can be one component of that consumer report. |
| Before adverse action | Employer gives the person a copy of the report and a Summary of Rights before making the final adverse decision based on it. | The person can inspect the MVR component and identify stale/wrong licensing or traffic information. |
| After adverse action | Employer provides the required adverse-action notice identifying the reporting company and dispute rights. | A dispute with the screening company does not automatically edit the state DMV source; source correction may also be needed. |
State rules and products vary: California and New York illustrate why
California own record
California currently lists $2 for its online own-driver-record request and $5 for a mailed own record, with a separate form when a certified record is needed. Another-person requests use the INF 70 route rather than the self-service account.
California correction
California publishes DL 207/DL 207A and supporting-document routes for correcting driver-record errors. The exact proof depends on whether the error comes from a court, law-enforcement report or DMV entry.
New York abstract choice
New York DMV offers Standard, Lifetime and CDL abstracts; its online own-record service currently lists $7. The selected abstract affects what history is shown.
New York limits
New York DMV record guidance explains that driving records include defined licensing/conviction/suspension/revocation/accident information but do not automatically include items such as every ticket, complete address history, vehicle information or material beyond retention rules.
Correct errors at both the DMV source and the screening report when needed
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Get your own state MVR first so you can see what the DMV source currently reports.
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Use the state DMV correction process for wrong license status, conviction, accident or other source data; supply the court/law-enforcement documentation the state asks for.
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Dispute the consumer report separately if an employer/background company continues to report inaccurate DMV information.
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Keep the record type and issue date with any copy you provide; an old MVR can become stale.
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When comparing states, do not transfer one state’s price, retention period or access form to another. Verify the current DMV instructions for the state that issued the license.
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