From its long desert stretches to the big city streets of Dallas, Houston, and Austin, Texas boasts some seemingly endless drives. If you’ve ever experienced a fender bender on one of those roadways or were issued a citation, your Texas driving record isn’t as wide open as the Texan horizon! Of course, it’s a good idea for all drivers to check their certified driving record in Texas from time to time. Checking your driving record allows you to ward off identity theft and to know precisely what’s there. By checking your driving record periodically, you can ensure that your driving history is accurate and up to date.
Why Check Your Texas Driving Record?
Drivers should check their Texas driving record from time to time to know exactly what it contains. Insurance providers and employers access driving records on a routine basis. Your Texas driving record impacts your insurance rates substantially. If your job responsibilities require you to drive, your driving record could also impact your employment or ability to get a job. Checking your driving record in Texas does not take long, and you can ensure that you know precisely what it contains when you access it from the Texas DPS.
Types of Texas Driving Records
The state of Texas offers drivers six types of driving records to access. The Type 1 Texas driving record provides basic personal information such as your birth date, address, driver license status, and the driver’s original license application.
The Type 2 record is a 3-year history record that lists the driver’s personal information as well as citations, traffic accidents, and non-moving violations. The Type 2A is a certified 3-year history that provides all the information as the 3-year history except that it’s certified. A certified history can be presented to court or for other official reasons.
The Type 3 Texas driving record includes all accidents and violations. Crashes are listed on this report even if no tickets were issued. This driving history also includes the driver’s personal information. The 3A certified driving report includes the same information as the Type 3 record except that it is a certified report that may be used for official purposes. Finally, the Type AR driving record is a certified, comprehensive abstract. This report includes the driver’s entire record.
Your complete certified driving record in Texas includes the driver’s history for the past fifteen years. Serious violations will remain on the driving record indefinitely. The fees for each type of license are as follows:
- Type 1 Driving Record: $4
- Type 2 Driving Record: $6
- Type 2A Driving Record: $10
- Type 3 Driving Record: $7
- Type 3A Driving Record: $10
You can pay your fees by check or money order.
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How to Obtain Your Certified Driving Record in Texas
Drivers can order their certified driving record in Texas online or by mail. To order your record online, you must access the Driver Record Request System available here. Drivers will be asked to present their driver’s license number, birth date, and the last four digits of your social security system.
To order your driving record in Texas by mail, fill out the form DR-1, the Application for Copy of Driver Record and mail it to this address:
Texas Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 149008
Austin, Texas 78714
Be sure to include the required fees when you mail your application.
Your Driving Record in Texas: Check for Accuracy
When you obtain your driving record, be sure to check it thoroughly for accuracy. Although mistakes are not common, they do occur. A mistake on your Texas driving record can result in steeper insurance rates and may even affect your job. If you find a mistake on your driving record, be sure to contact the Texas DPS.
Ordering Someone Else’s Driving Record
In Texas, you can request someone else’s driving record if you meet certain requirements. For instance, if you are an employer you may request to access an employee’s or prospective employee’s driving record. Government agencies such as courts can also request Texas driving records. Contact the Texas DPS to obtain the proper form for requesting someone else’s driving record.
Obtain Your Texas Driving Record Today
The sooner you obtain your Texas driving record, the sooner you can check it for accuracy and guard against identity theft. Your driving record affects your insurance rates and can even affect your job. Make certain you know what your insurer and employer access when they obtain a copy of your Texas driving record. If you have any more questions about your particular driving record, you should contact the Texas DPS for more information. You can call the Texas DPS customer service department at (512) 424-2000.