I know why you’re here…
To get your Virginia driving record of course!
Well, you’ll be happy to know that the process is SUPER easy. And this is thanks to the 3 request options available.
To make it even easier, we’ll go over the steps of each method for YOU.
And to give you more insight, we’ll also talk about the types of driving records, how to improve yours, and understand a bit about the Virginia Point System.
So how do you get a Virginia driving record?
Let’s find out!
Types of Driving Records in Virginia
Hold up…
You can’t begin the process until you know what type of driving record you need.
So let’s start here.
In Virginia, there are different driving records for different purposes. Here are your options:
- Personal Use: As its name implies, it’s what you request when you want to check what’s on your driving history. It shows information for the past 11 years.
- Employment, School, or Military: A prospective employer might ask for a copy of your driving history — this is what you should give. Instead of showing more than a decade’s worth of details, it limits it to the last 7.
- Insurance: Agencies may request your driving record when you’re applying for or renewing your policy. An insurance driving history shows the least amount of information. It only goes back 5 years.
- TNC: Uber, Lyft, and Zipcar are examples of Transport Network Companies (TNC). More and more people have started working for them to earn additional income. Because it requires you to be behind the wheel, it’s only natural that they look at your driving history. A TNC record goes back 7 years.
- Habitual Offender Restoration Record: If you get to the point where you lose your driving privileges, you must petition the court to have them reinstated. Part of the process involves presenting a Habitual Offender Restoration Record, showing 11 years’ worth of information.
Whichever driving record type you request, you can expect to see the following information:
- Your personal details
- Any traffic accidents and convictions
- Records of suspensions, revocations, and cancellations
- The status of your Virginia-issued driver’s license
- The number of points on your VA driver’s license
Remember, the DMV always issues a non-certified copy of your driving record. So if you want a certified copy, you must indicate it in your request and pay an additional $5.
How to Get My Driving Record in Virginia
As we said, there are several ways to request your Virginia driving record. These include:
- Online
- In Person
- By Mail
Don’t worry — all of them are easy and uncomplicated.
And we’ll cover them all. This way, you can choose which suits you, your schedule, and your needs the most.
How to Obtain Your VA Driving Record Online
First, let’s cover the most convenient way of getting a driving record in Virginia — online.
That’s right!
If you’re in a rush, you can get a copy of your driving history without leaving your home. Bonus point — it costs $1 less than other methods.
However, you must have a credit card and be comfortable using it for an online purchase (we know that not everyone is).
If this method works for you, here’s what you have to do:
- Go to the VA DMV’s online record request page.
- Log on using your birthdate and either your driver’s license number or Social Security Number (SSN).
- Follow the online prompts and pay the $8 processing fee.
- View your driving record online.
| NOTE: You can also request the DMV to deliver a copy to your address. You can get a certified copy this way, but it’ll cost you an additional $5. |
And just like that, you know what’s on your driving record!
How to Obtain Your VA Driving Record In Person
Another option is getting your driving record in person.
This method may work best if you don’t have a credit card (or don’t want to use one) but need your driving history immediately.
Here are the steps:
- Download a copy of Form CRD 93 (Information Request). You can find the online copy here.
- Fill out the following sections:
- Requester Information (your details)
- Subject Information (if you are requesting someone else’s record, their data must appear here)
- Information Requested
- When you arrive, present the completed Form CRD 93 AND your Virginia-issued driver’s license OR a valid form of identification with a photo.
- Pay the $9 fee ($14 if you want a certified copy).
- Get your driving record.
Easy peasy!
How to Obtain Your VA Driving Record By Mail
If time isn’t important and visiting a service center isn’t your cup of tea, requesting your driving record by mail might be your best option.
Here’s how it works:
- Fill out the Information Request (Form CRD 93).
| NOTE: If you’re not requesting your own, the record owner’s details must be in the Subject Information section. |
- (OPTIONAL) Make a written request (instead of the form in Step 1) for a copy of your driving history. Don’t forget to include the following information:
- Your complete full name (what’s on your driver’s license) and address
- Your Social Security number
- The reason why you need a copy of your driving record
- Pay using a check or money order, payable to the VA DMV. The amount is $9 (for a non-certified record) OR $14 (for a certified one).
- Enclose everything in an envelope and send it to this address:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Vehicle (Driver) Records Work Center
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
- Wait for your driving record to arrive in the mail.
As you can see, it will take some time before you can get your hands on your record.
How to Improve Your Virginia Driving Record
Most of the time, “improving your driving record” means reducing the number of points on your license.
However, Virginia has a different system.
Here, you can receive two kinds of points — demerit and safe driving.
Demerit points are given for moving violations. Safe driving points are from good driving behavior.
If you want to know about demerit points, we’ll cover that in the following section.
In this section, we’ll focus on safe points as that’s how to improve your Virginia driving record.
There are two ways to get safe driving points.
First, keeping a clean driving record earns you 1 safe point every 12 months. That means no violations or suspensions for a year.
Second, you can voluntarily attend a driver improvement clinic. That gives you 5 safe points (the most you can have). However, if the court requires you to complete the program, it also decides whether or not you get the safe points.
Understanding the Virginia Point System
Now for the demerit points.
Boo!
Let’s start with this — Virginia uses a Point Balance System. You must subtract your safe points from your demerit points to get your point balance.
| NOTE: Check your point balance on the VA DMV’s online services page. |
Here is a table of all the demerit points for each traffic violation:
| Violation | Demerit Points | How Long It Stays on Your Record |
| Speeding 1-9 mph above the posted speed limit | 3 | 5 years |
| Impeding traffic, slow speed | 3 | 5 years |
| Improper passing or driving | 3 | 3 years |
| Driving through a safety zone or on the sidewalk | 3 | 3 years |
| Failure to obey highway signs | 3 | 3 years |
| Speeding 10-19 mph above the posted speed limit | 4 | 5 years |
| Passing to the left of an approaching vehicle | 4 | 3 years |
| Failure to stop for pedestrians | 4 | 3 years |
| Following too closely | 4 | 3 years |
| Failure to obey the railroad crossing signal | 4 | 3 years |
| Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit | 6 | 5 years |
| Racing | 6 | 11 years |
| Passing or overtaking an emergency vehicle or school bus | 6 | 11 years |
| Driving too fast for the conditions | 6 | 11 years |
| Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated | 6 | 11 years |
Demerit points result in the following consequences:
- 1 demerit point: required to complete a driver improvement clinic (only if you are 18-19 years old)
- 8 demerit points in 12 months (or 12 in 24): the DMV sends an advisory letter
- 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 in 24): required to complete a driver improvement clinic within 90 days of enrollment.
- 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 in 24): a 90-day license suspension, completion of a driver improvement clinic for reinstatement, 6-month probation period after the reinstatement of driving privileges.
The Wrap Up
Well, that was one article packed with information!
Now you have all the essential information about how to get a Virginia driving record — from the different types to the different methods to improvement strategies.
We even covered Virginia’s point system, so you know how demerit and safe points work.
For now, this is where we say goodbye. Feel free to return to brush up on your knowledge — consider it a quick reference guide.
Drive safely!