Whether you are exploring the wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visiting the hallowed Civil War battlefields around Richmond or just heading to work, every extra mile you drive increases your risk of getting into an accident, getting pulled over by the cops or racking up a moving violation. When that happens, the state of Virginia wants to know about it. From driver license suspensions to speeding tickets, the state of Virginia takes a keen interest in how you drive, and they carefully add that information to your official Virginia driving record.
Know Where You Stand
The good news is that you are entitled to a copy of your official driving record from the state of Virginia, so you can know exactly where you stand at any point in time. All you need to do is contact the Virginia DMV, fill out a form or two, pay a small fee and walk out with a copy of your driving record and driving history.
Check Things Out Online
You can start your search for your official Virginia driving history by going to dmv.state.va.us/general/#record_glance.asp. Once there you can access the forms you need to complete and find out about the identification and documentation you will need to receive your official driving record. Unlike some other states, Virginia provides full online access to your driving record transcript, making it easier than ever to see where you stand. You can also request that a hard copy of your driving record be mailed to you, so you can get what you need any way you want.
How to Get Your Virginia Driving Record
As stated above, you can access your driving record for the state of Virginia by going to the DMV website. You will have to pay a small fee, but that charge simply covers the administrative expenses associated with tracking the information and making it available to drivers.
Just log in to the Virginia MyDMV Online System and provide your customer number (listed on your VA driver’s license) or your Social Security Number.
Once logged in, you will be able to view your driving record on your screen – you will have an option to have it mailed to you if you need the copy itself.
For an uncertified copy, the fee is $8. As for a certified copy, it’s $13. They accept electronic check (e-check), or credit/debit card payments (Discover, MasterCard, VISA, America Express).
Now, to order your driving record in person, just bring the following to your local Virginia DMV office:
- A completed Virginia Information Request (Form CRD 93).
- Proof of your identity, such as your:
- Virginia driver’s license.
- VA photo identification card.
The fee is $9 for an uncertified copy and $14 for a certified copy. They usually accept cash, check or e-check, money order, or credit/debit card payments (Discover, MasterCard, VISA, America Express).
If you want to order it by mail, you’ll need to wait a few weeks to get a copy of your driving record.
To submit your request, mail the completed Virginia Information Request (Form CRD 93) or written request, which should include your full name, address, Social Security Number, and the reason for your driving record request. Send these to:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Vehicle (Driver) Records Work Center
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
Don’t forget to include your payment of $9 for an uncertified copy OR $14 for a certified copy through check or money order made payable to the “Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.”
What Types of Driving Records are Available?
The state of Virginia recognizes that different people have different needs for driving information. If there was just one type of record, our lives would be a lot easier, but that is not the case. You certainly have an interest in your driving history, but so does your boss if you drive a company vehicle.
You might not think your driving ability is any of your boss’s business, but your boss has a different opinion.
Virginia does allow employers to access driving records, so be prepared to share any moving violations you may have had during the interview process. Bosses do not like surprises, and lying about your driving history will not get you the job. The record employers can access goes back 7 years, so it pays to be honest about your history.
Personal Driving Record
If you are merely curious to know what the state has on you, that curiosity can be satisfied with a simple request. The driving record for personal use provides a comprehensive look at your driving history for the past 11 years, so you can see where you have been and what you have done for more than a decade.
Check it Twice
Once you have a copy of your Virginia driving record in your hand, you will need to check it carefully and look for possible errors.
While the state of Virginia includes many safeguards designed to prevent and detect errors, the bureaucrats that enter that information are just that – bureaucrats. That means they can make mistakes, and the mistakes they make could impact your driving record.
If you fail to correct the errors, you could end up paying more for car insurance and suffer a host of other problems. If you do find a mistake on your driving record, the best thing to do is contact the Virginia DMV right away and ask that it be corrected.