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How to Get A Florida Driving Record (A Complete 2023 Guide)

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Need to get hold of your Florida driving record for whatever reason?

Or maybe you need to get someone else’s driving record.

Whatever the case, we can help you. 

Today, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to get a Florida driving record. We’ll show you how to get it online, in person, or through the mail. 

Plus, we’ll tell you about the types of driving records in the state, how to improve your driving record, as well as the Florida point system. 

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started right away!

Types of Driving Records in Florida

Let’s start with the types of driving records in Florida. This is because you need to choose one type before you can proceed.

Now, there are 3 types of driving records in Florida. These are:

  • A 3-year record
  • A 7-year record
  • A complete record

    Here’s how these compare and contrast with each other:

How to Get My Driving Record in Florida

Once you figure out what record type you want/need, you can get it either online, in person, or through the mail. 

Let’s look at each one in detail. 

How to Get Your Florida Driving Record Online

The most convenient way to check your record is through FLHSMV’s online Driver License Check. Make sure you have your driver’s license number handy because the site requires you to encode it.

The best part about using this method is you won’t have to pay for it. You can check the content of your driver’s license completely free of charge.

How to Get Your Florid Driving Record In-Person

If you need a physical or certified copy of your driving record, then you must get it at a Driver License Service Center. 

To do that, simply follow these steps:

  1. Look for a Driver License Service Center near you. You can click here for office locations and whether or not you need to set an appointment. 
  1. Request for your Florida driving record. Make sure you specify what type you need.

  2. Purchase your Florida driving record. A 3-year driving record costs $8 ($10 if it is a certified copy), while a 7-year or complete driving record is $10. Plus, if your chosen location is part of the county’s tax collection office, they may charge an additional $6.25 convenience fee.
  1. Get your Florida driving record

As easy as that!

How to Get Your Florida Driving Record Through the Mail

Okay, say you need a physical or certified driving record but you are out of state.

Thankfully, you can purchase one through the mail. It’s important to note, though, that this process takes longer than the other 2. 

Here are the steps to getting your driving record through the mail in Florida:

  1. Complete the Driver License Record Request Form 
  1. Enclose the form, as well as the appropriate fee in an envelope. Remember, 3-year records cost $8 (if not a certified copy), while the other records cost $10. 
  1. Send everything to this address:

Bureau of Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 52

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0575

  1. Wait for your driving record to be mailed to you 

As you can see, there’s more waiting to do. But still, this is a convenient way to get your Florida driving record if you are away at the moment. 

How to Get Florida Driving Records from Private Vendors

Unlike other states, you can get a copy of your driving record from organizations besides the FLHSMV. That said, the third-party organization MUST be authorized by the state.

The only ones approved to have access to the FLHSMV driver’s license history and motor vehicle records are as follows:

ProviderAddressPhone
DMVData.com1000 Fifth Street 200A-4Miami Beach, FL 33139(850 )745-4562
HireRight, LLC14002 East 21st Street, Suite 1200Tulsa, OK 74134(800) 331-9175
DriveSafeToday.com, Inc.378 Summit AvenueJersey City, NJ 07306(800) 991-0310
American Safety Council, Inc.225 East Robinson Street, Suite 570Orlando, FL 32801(800) 659-7454
ISO Claims Services, Inc.1574 Crescent Pointe ParkwayCollege Station, TX 77845(8000 299-7099, ext. 182
LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Inc.1000 Alderman DriveAlpharetta, GA 30005(8000 869-0751
Florida MVR Services, Inc.1334 Timberland Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312(800) 910-8201

It’s best to reach out to them individually to understand their services and fees.

How to Get Someone Else’s Driving Record in Florida

What if you’re an employer looking to get your potential employee’s driving record?

Well, if you’re requesting someone else’s records, you can only do it through one channel — through the mail.

Here are the steps for that:

  1. Complete the Driver License Record Request Form using the person’s information. These include the following:
    1. Complete name
    2. Date of birth (or estimated age)
    3. Social Security number
    4. Florida driver’s license number (if available)
    5. Where to send the driving record
  1. Enclose the required payment ($8 for 3-year records, $10 for 7-year, complete, and all certified driving records). If you’re sending a check or money order, ensure that it’s payable to the Division of Motorist Services.
  1. Send these documents to:

Bureau of Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 52

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0575

This isn’t much different from requesting your own driving record. This is because Florida driving records are considered public information. 

How to Improve Your Florida Driving Record

The best-case scenario is that you’ve got a clean driving record. However, it isn’t the end of the world if it’s not.

There are several things you can do to improve it. Let’s take a look at what these are. 

1. Regularly Check Your Record

Being familiar with what’s in your driving record is an excellent practice. It allows you to check for accuracy and increases your awareness of your points.

Seeing it in black and white makes it more real, leading you to be extra careful on the road.

2. Attend Traffic School

Although Florida doesn’t have a point reduction system, attending a Basic Driver Improvement course allows you to prevent additional points from reflecting on your record. However, note that state regulations have the following conditions:

  • You can only attend a BDI course 5 times in your life
  • You are only eligible to complete a BDI course once every 12 months
  • A BDI course does not apply for the following citations:
    • Exceeding the allowable speed limit by 30 mph
    • Not having your vehicle’s certificate of registration
    • Driving with an expired registration or license
    • Driving without a license

3. Practice Defensive Driving

Safe driving is a big deal, and defensive driving is an effective strategy. Increasing your awareness of potential hazards can help prevent accidents on the road.

And if you practice defensive driving, then you’re less likely to get points in your record. 

4. Avoid Distractions

It isn’t just about texting while driving. Distractions can come from different sources, such as playing music too loudly or eating behind the wheel.

Even fiddling with your GPS when you’re moving increases the risk of an accident. And even if you don’t experience a collision, it may cause you to miss traffic signs or overlook pedestrians at a crossing. All of these may result in citations (and thus, points on your record).

Understanding the Point System in Florida

It’s crucial to know how many points a specific violation contributes to your driving record.

Now, you can check the complete list of all possible traffic violations online, but these are the most common ones and their corresponding points.

Regardless of whether a violation equates to 3, 4, or 6 points, you should do your best to avoid these. Remember, points generally stay on your record for three years. 

It isn’t just Florida-issued tickets you need to be wary of — you also get points for those issued in other states. And you can’t avoid these, even if you attend traffic school.

Consequences of Having Too Many Points on Your Florida Driving Record

Having too many points on your license within a specific period may result in a temporary loss of driving privileges.

  • A 30-day suspension if you accumulate 12 points within 12 months
  • A 3-month suspension for 18 points within 18 months
  • A 1-year suspension for 24 points within 36 months

So as much as you can, don’t let it get to this point!

The Wrap Up

If you need to get hold of your, or someone else’s, Florida driving record, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Now, you know how to get it online, in person, or through the mail. 

As you can see, getting your Florida driving record is easy. 

However, making sure that you keep it clean is a bit more challenging. So remember the ways to improve your record, as well as the Florida point system. 

Safe driving!

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