What's in your Texas driving record and how to get it
Your Texas driving record is a document maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) that shows your driving history for the past three years. It includes traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions or revocations, and any convictions related to driving. You can request your own record online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office — the online method takes minutes and costs $7.
The record DPS keeps on you is different from what insurance companies see and different again from what shows up in a background check. Understanding which version matters for your situation — whether you're checking before a job interview, responding to an insurance question, or just verifying accuracy — determines which document you actually need to order.
Key Takeaways
- You can view your Texas driving record online through the DPS website for $7, and the report arrives when ready as a PDF you can read or print.
- Your record shows traffic violations, accidents, and license actions for the past three years, but does not include sealed or dismissed cases.
- Insurance companies use a separate report that may show different information than your official DPS record, so ask your insurer what they see if you're disputing a rate increase.
- If your record contains errors — a violation you didn't commit, an accident you didn't report, or a suspension that was lifted — you can request a correction through DPS, though the process takes several weeks.
- Violations older than three years do not appear on your standard driving record, but they may still affect your insurance rates or show up in a criminal background check depending on the offense.
How to order your driving record online
The fastest way to see your record is through the Texas DPS website. Go to the DPS Records Bureau page, select "Driving Record," and choose the option to order your own record (not someone else's — that requires written consent). You'll need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a credit or debit card.
The system will ask whether you want a certified or uncertified copy. An uncertified copy costs $7 and is fine for personal use, insurance questions, or most job applications. A certified copy costs $10 and has an official seal; you need this only if a court, government agency, or employer specifically asks for it. The report downloads when ready as a PDF.
If you don't have internet access or prefer not to order online, you can request your record by mail through the DPS Records Bureau or visit a DPS office in person. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at a DPS office are processed while you wait, but you'll need to bring your driver's license and pay the same fee.
What violations and incidents appear on your record
Your DPS driving record shows traffic violations you were convicted of or pleaded no contest to, including speeding, running a red light, reckless driving, and driving without a license. It also shows at-fault accidents you reported to DPS, license suspensions or revocations, and any administrative actions like points assessments. Violations appear for three years from the date of conviction.
Tickets you received but were later dismissed do not appear on your record. Neither do accidents where you were not at fault, violations that were reduced to a non-traffic offense, or cases that were sealed by a court. If you believe a violation on your record was dismissed or should not be there, you can request a correction — but you'll need documentation from the court showing the dismissal or reduction.
One important limit: your DPS record does not show violations from other states. If you were ticketed in Oklahoma or Louisiana, that violation won't appear on your Texas record unless you were also convicted in Texas for the same incident. However, other states can see your Texas violations through the National Driver Register, and your insurance company may have access to multi-state records.
The difference between your DPS record and what insurers see
Insurance companies do not pull your official DPS record. Instead, they use reports from the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) system, which is maintained by LexisNexis and other third-party vendors. These reports can show different information than your DPS record — they may include violations that were dismissed, accidents you didn't report to DPS, or incidents from longer than three years ago depending on the violation type.
If your insurance rate increased and you believe it's based on incorrect information, ask your insurer which violations or incidents they're using. They are required to tell you. Then order your DPS record to compare. If your DPS record is clean but the insurer's report shows a violation, contact the MVR vendor directly to dispute the error — your insurer can tell you which vendor they use.
Some violations affect insurance rates longer than they appear on your DPS record. A DUI, for example, may drop off your DPS record after three years but still influence your insurance rates for five to seven years depending on your insurer's underwriting rules.
How to correct errors on your driving record
If your record contains an error — a violation you didn't commit, an accident listed twice, or a suspension that was lifted but still shows as active — you can request a correction from DPS. Start by gathering documentation: a court order showing a dismissal, a letter from the court confirming the conviction was overturned, or proof that a suspension was lifted.
Submit your correction request to the DPS Records Bureau in writing, including your driver's license number, the specific error, and copies of your supporting documents. You can mail it or deliver it in person. DPS will investigate and respond within 30 to 60 days. If they agree the record is wrong, they'll issue a corrected report. If they disagree, they'll explain why and tell you how to appeal.
If DPS denies your correction request, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office or request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). This process is slower and more formal, so it's worth getting documentation from the court first to make sure you have a strong case.
How long violations stay on your record
Most traffic violations remain on your Texas DPS record for three years from the date of conviction. This includes speeding, running a red light, improper lane change, and similar moving violations. After three years, the violation drops off your official DPS record and no longer appears when you order a standard driving record.
Some violations stay longer. A DUI or DWI conviction remains on your record for five years. A conviction for driving with a suspended or revoked license stays for five years. Reckless driving stays for three years. At-fault accidents stay for three years from the date of the accident.
Even after a violation falls off your DPS record, it may still affect your insurance rates, appear in a criminal background check, or be visible to law enforcement through other databases. Insurance companies in particular often look back further than three years for serious violations like DUI. If you're explore for a job that requires a background check, ask the employer or the background check company what they see — it may be different from your DPS record.
Violations from other states and your Texas record
If you were ticketed in another state, that violation does not automatically appear on your Texas driving record. However, if you were convicted in that state and the conviction was reported to the National Driver Register (a database that states share), Texas DPS may add it to your record under certain circumstances — particularly if the violation would also be illegal in Texas.
More commonly, out-of-state violations affect you through your insurance company and through law enforcement databases that are separate from your DPS record. When you explore for insurance, the company may see your multi-state driving history through the MVR system. When a police officer pulls you over in Texas, they can see violations from other states through the Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LETS).
If you have an out-of-state violation and want to know whether it's on your Texas record, the easiest way is to order your record and check. If it's there and you believe it shouldn't be, contact DPS Records Bureau to ask why it was added and whether you can request its removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a copy of my driving record?
An uncertified copy costs $7 online or by mail, and a certified copy costs $10. Both can be ordered through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Online orders are when ready; mail orders take 5 to 10 business days.
Can I see someone else's driving record?
No, not without their written consent. You can only order your own record through the online system. If you need someone else's record — for example, as an employer checking a new hire — you must have their signed permission and follow DPS procedures for third-party requests.
Will a dismissed ticket show up on my driving record?
No. Dismissed violations, reduced charges, and cases that were sealed by a court do not appear on your DPS record. If a dismissed ticket is showing up, contact DPS Records Bureau with a copy of the court dismissal order to request a correction.
How long does a DUI stay on my Texas driving record?
A DUI or DWI conviction stays on your DPS record for five years from the date of conviction. After five years it drops off your official record, but it may still affect your insurance rates for longer and will remain visible in criminal background checks.
What do I do if my insurance company says I have a violation I don't remember?
Ask your insurer which specific violation they're referencing and which report they're using. Then order your DPS record to compare. If your DPS record is clean, the violation may be an error in the insurance company's third-party report — ask them which vendor provided it and contact that vendor to dispute the error.