Need to get hold of your California driving record for whatever reason?
Don’t know where to obtain it?
We’re here to help.
Today, we’re going to give you a complete 2024 guide on how to get your California driving record.
Not only that, but we’re also going to talk about how to improve your record and the California point system.
All this will give you a better understanding of your driving record.
So shall we begin?
How to Get Your Driving Record in California
There are 2 types of driving records in California – an official copy and an unofficial copy.
Depending on what record you need, you can obtain it either online, in person, or through the mail.
Let’s look at each one in detail.
Ordering Your CA Driving Record Online
Here’s how to order your California driving record online:
- Click the ‘Start driver’s record request’ button
- Log in or create a CA DMV account
- Fill up the online form
- Pay the $2 fee
- Print your driving record. You have only one chance to print it, so make sure you have a printer ready.
It’s important to note that you cannot get official copies online. So if you need your driving record to carry the official seal, you need to get it in person or through the mail.
Ordering Your CA Driving Record In Person
To obtain an official driving record copy in person, you must:
- Fill up the INF 1125 form
- Visit your local CA DMV office. For faster transactions, it’s best to call them at 1-800-777-0133 to set an appointment.
- Present your ID, the form, and pay the $5 fee
Ordering Your CA Driving Record Through the Mail
Finally, here’s how you can get your CA driving record through the mail:
- Fill up an INF 1125 form
- Issue a check for the $5 fee
- Mail the form and check to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Public Operations – MS G199, P.O. Box 944247,
Sacramento, CA 94244–2470
Your driving record will be sent to you via mail.
How to Correct Information in Your CA Driving Record
Once you get your record on hand, it’s crucial that you check for any errors.
Incorrect record information like misplaced tickets or typographical errors can happen. In some situations, this can cause legal issues or cost you a spike in insurance premiums.
If you find inconsistencies within your record, the fastest way to deal with this is to call the DMV through their hotline: 1-800-777-0133.
For correcting a violation or conviction, fill out the DL 207 form and mail it, together with your supporting documents, to this address:
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Mandatory Actions Unit, M/S J-233
P.O. Box 942890
Sacramento, CA 94290-0001
For correcting a traffic accident record, you have to fill out form DL 208.
Upon the date of submission, you can expect feedback from anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks.
How to Improve Your CA Driving Record
A good driving record sets you up for more opportunities, while a bad driving record immobilizes you.
This is why it’s important that you keep your record clean.
Of course, the best way to keep your record clean is by avoiding violations.
However, sometimes that’s just not possible.
If so, you can simply wait for the points to get off your record.
Plus, if you manage to avoid acquiring points for a certain period, you can get your points cleared after 39 months.
But if you have committed serious violations like DUI or hit and runs, that will stay on your record for a long time — at least 10 years.
Another way to improve your CA driving record is by attending traffic school.
Yes, the state of California allows certain violations to be masked if you qualify for traffic school.
You are typically allowed to go to traffic school if you meet certain criteria, such as:
- Being a first-time violator
- Committing only 1-point violations
- If you haven’t gone to a traffic school for the last 18 months
Keep in mind that traffic schools in California can only mask a ticket, not remove existing points.
Having a masked ticket means that the CA DMV still has a record of your ticket, but employers and insurance companies won’t be able to see it once they get a copy of your driving record.
As you might expect, having heavy violations and misdemeanors will automatically disqualify you from attending traffic school.
Understanding the Point System in California
The state of California has a point system called the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS).
Understanding the point system in California will give you an outline of the major and minor violations that give you the least or most points.
Here’s how the California point system works:
| 0 points: | 1 point: | 2 points: |
| Not all violations get points. 0-point violations typically involve non-moving vehicles with mechanical issues. For example: no license plate light. | Single point violations are considered minor, and can often be masked by attending a traffic school. Examples of 1-point violations include: speeding, disobeying a traffic officer, taking illegal turns, and beating the red light. | A two-point violation is considered a major infraction that cannot be resolved by merely going to a traffic school. Examples of 2-point violations include driving under influence (DUI) or hit and runs. |
Once you hit a certain number of points within a specific duration, the DMV will send out a notice to you, classified under the following levels:
- Level 1 – a warning letter will be issued if you accumulate 2 NOTS points within 12-months, 4 NOTS points within 24-months, or 6 NOTS points within 36-months.
- Level 2 – An ‘Intent to Suspend’ will be issued if you accumulate 3 NOTS points within 12-months, 4 NOTS points within 24-months, or 7 NOTS points within 36-months.
- Level 3 – An order of probation or suspension will be issued if you accumulate 4 NOTS points within 12-months, 6 NOTS points within 24-months, or 8 NOTS points within 36-months.
- Level 4 – If another violation is committed within the suspension period, the duration of your probation and suspension will be increased.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting your California driving record is SUPER simple.
Yes, that’s whether you do it online, in person, or through the mail.
And, once you have your record within your hands, don’t forget to check for errors.
If you want to improve your record, then you can do so by waiting for the points to be removed or asking if you can attend a traffic school to remove them.
Finally, it’s important to be familiar with the point system in California. This way, you’ll know what to expect if you should acquire points.
So that completes our guide on how to get your California driving record.