A good driving record can mean the difference between affordable car insurance and sky-high premiums, and employers often look at your driving history before extending a job offer. A clean driving record can show potential employers that you are responsible on the road, as it will list everything from accidents that you’ve been into the status of your driver’s license. If you are an Alabama driver, reviewing your driving record can be beneficial, but many people don’t know how to access this information.
Understanding Your Alabama Driving Record
In the event that you need to request a copy of your driving record, it is important to understand Alabama’s point system. Each traffic offense that you are convicted of will result in the assignment of a point value. After you accumulate 12 points in the State of Alabama within a two year period, your license will be suspended for 60 days. The more points that you are given, the longer that your suspended period will be.
Reviewing the Points on Your Record
Traffic offenses are awarded different point values depending on the severity of the crime, and this information will be outlined on your Alabama driving record:
- 2 Points: Speeding (1-25 mph), improper lane, improper operation of a motorcycle, coasting, unsafe operation, making an improper turn
- 3 Points: Disregarding a traffic control device, failure to obey a police officer/construction/maintenance zone, following too closely
- 4 Points: Illegal passing
- 5 Points: Passing a stopped school bus, failing to yield to the right of way, speeding (26+ mph)
- 6 Points: Reckless driving, reckless endangerment while operating a vehicle
Alabama Driving Record Request Form
The Alabama driving record request form that you will need in order to access your record can be found on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website.
This form allows you to get a copy of your three-year driver’s license record. The application is brief and will ask for some basic information including your driver’s license number and Social Security number. A fee of $5.75 is required for each request, and completed forms can be sent in to:
Driving Record Request
Driver License Division
P O Box 1471
Montgomery AL 36102-1471
How To Get An Alabama Driving Record Online
Please note that you are not currently able to obtain an Alabama driving record online. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET YOUR ALABAMA DRIVING RECORD FROM A THIRD PARTY SERVICE!
As seen here, the state of Alabama does not offer a government portal to obtain your driving record online. You must fill out the correct form and mail it in.
Some third-party background check services may claim to be able to get your driving record online, but DO NOT trust these services. They are not official driving records and are almost always very inaccurate.
Alabama Driver Abstract Request
If you are looking for a full driving history in Alabama, you will need to request your driver aspect. Unfortunately, this request can only be made in person, as you’ll need to show a photo ID in order to access the report. A $15.00 fee is charged to obtain your full driver’s history, and you’ll need to indicate the reason that you need the report, which can be for court or employment purposes. You can request your driver abstract from one of ten Alabama offices:
- Montgomery
- Birmingham
- Jacksonville
- Sheffield
- Dothan
- Mobile
- Opelika
- Huntsville
- Foley
- Tuscaloosa
Alabama Motor Vehicle Request
The U.S. Driver’s Privacy Protection Act limits the circumstances in which this type of information can be requested by a third-party, but some common situations include court cases, notifying owners of impounded or towed vehicles, and when employers want to verify the driving history of commercial drivers. The requesting party will also need to submit a fee of $5.75 in order to access each individual report.
Correcting Your Driving Record in Alabama
Once you have retrieved your driving record in Alabama, you should review it to make sure that it is accurate. If you find citations that you don’t feel you were responsible for, you should contact the Department of Public Safety by calling 334-242-4371. Failing to correct your driving record to change incorrect information could make it difficult for you to get a job, and you could find yourself paying more money in insurance premiums than necessary. Unpaid traffic tickets, even if you are unaware that they exist, could also result in the suspension of your driver’s license.
How To Improve Your Alabama Driving Record
If you want to improve your Alabama driving record, find out if you are eligible to take an online traffic school. Often times, traffic school can lower your insurance rates, reduce points on your driving record, or dismiss traffic tickets.