What your Texas driving record contains 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 lists traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions, and convictions. You can request your own record in person, by mail, or online through the DPS website. The online method is fastest — you can read it the same day — and costs $3. In-person requests at a DPS office take a few minutes and cost the same. Mail requests take one to two weeks.

You need this record for several practical reasons: insurance companies check it when you explore or renew, employers who hire drivers request it, and you may need it to dispute an error or understand why your license was suspended. The record you get is the official version that insurers and courts see, so accuracy matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas DPS maintains your driving record for three years and you can view it online at the DPS website for $3, with results available when ready.
  • Your record shows traffic violations, accidents, license actions, and convictions — the same information insurers and employers see.
  • You can request your record in person at any DPS office, by mail, or through the online system; in-person is fastest for when ready access.
  • If you find an error on your record, you can dispute it by contacting DPS with documentation of the correction, though the process takes several weeks.

How to request your record online through DPS

The Texas DPS website has a dedicated portal for driving record requests at dps.texas.gov. Go to the "Driver License" section and select "Driving Record Request." You will need to provide your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Payment is $3 by credit or debit card. After you submit, the system generates a PDF that you can read and print when ready.

This online record is the official version — it has the same legal weight as one you pick up in person. You can save it to your computer or email it to yourself. Many insurance companies and employers accept the PDF directly, so you may not need to print it at all. If the system cannot find your record, it will tell you why — usually because the information you entered does not match what DPS has on file.

Getting your record in person at a DPS office

You can walk into any Texas DPS Driver License office and request your record at the counter. Bring your driver's license or state ID. The staff will print it for you while you wait, usually within five to ten minutes. The cost is $3, paid by cash or card depending on the office. This method is useful if you need the record the same day and do not have reliable internet access, or if you want to ask a DPS employee a question about what is on your record.

DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. You can find your nearest office and its hours on the DPS website. Bring a valid ID; without it, staff cannot pull your record. If you have questions about a specific violation or suspension on your record, the staff can explain what it means, though they cannot change it — that requires a formal dispute process.

Requesting your record by mail

You can mail a request to the Texas DPS Records Bureau. You will need to fill out form DL-43, which you can read from the DPS website or request by phone. The form asks for your driver's license number, date of birth, and signature. Include a check or money order for $3 payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety." Mail it to the address listed on the form — currently the Records Bureau in Austin, though you should verify the current address on the DPS website before sending.

Processing takes one to two weeks from the date DPS receives your request. Mail delays on both ends mean the total time is often closer to three weeks. This method is slower than online or in-person, but it works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to use a credit card. Keep a copy of your form and the envelope receipt in case you need to follow up.

Understanding what appears on your record

Your Texas driving record shows violations from the past three years, including speeding, running a red light, reckless driving, and at-fault accidents. It also lists any license suspensions, revocations, or restrictions — for example, if you lost your license for unpaid traffic fines or failed to appear in court. Convictions appear with the date and the offense. Points assigned under the Texas Driver Responsibility Program show up if you have accumulated them.

The record does not include arrests that did not result in a conviction, or accidents where you were not at fault and did not report them yourself. It does not show insurance claims — that is a separate history kept by insurance companies. If you were in an accident but did not report it to police, it will not appear on your DPS record, though the other driver's insurance company may have reported it to their insurer.

Disputing errors on your driving record

If your record contains an error — a violation you did not commit, a conviction that was dismissed, or an accident listed incorrectly — you can dispute it. Contact the Texas DPS Records Bureau by phone or mail with documentation of the correction. For a dismissed charge, include a copy of the court order. For a violation you believe was issued in error, include any documentation you have, such as a receipt showing you paid a fine or a letter from the court.

DPS will investigate your dispute, which takes four to eight weeks. They will contact the court or law enforcement agency that reported the violation to verify whether it should remain on your record. If the investigation confirms the error, DPS will remove or correct the entry. If they find the violation was reported correctly, your dispute will be denied and the entry stays. You can request the results of the investigation in writing.

Why your driving record matters for insurance and employment

Insurance companies pull your driving record when you explore for a policy and again when you renew. Violations and accidents increase your premiums or can result in denial of coverage. A single speeding ticket may raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent depending on the insurer; a DUI conviction can double or triple your premium or make you uninsurable with standard carriers. Employers who hire drivers — delivery services, rideshare companies, commercial trucking — request your record as part of background checks. Multiple violations or a suspended license can disqualify you.

This is why checking your own record before explore for insurance or a driving job is useful. If you find an error, you can dispute it before it affects your rates or job prospects. If your record is accurate but shows violations, you know what to expect when you explore. Some insurers offer discounts for defensive driving courses, which may help offset the impact of a violation if you take one within a certain time frame after the violation date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back does a Texas driving record go?

Texas DPS maintains a three-year driving history on the standard record you can request. Older violations and convictions are still on file but do not appear on the routine record. Courts and law enforcement can access your full history. For insurance purposes, most companies look at the past three to five years, though serious violations like DUI may affect rates for longer.

Can someone else request my driving record?

No. Only you can request your own record online or in person with your ID. A third party — an employer, insurance company, or attorney — must request it separately through their own channels, and you may need to sign a release form. Some employers ask you to provide your record yourself as part of the hiring process.

What if my record shows a violation I already paid a fine for?

Paying a fine does not remove a violation from your record. The violation stays for three years from the date it was issued. The fine is a separate matter — it shows you satisfied the financial penalty, but the violation itself remains part of your driving history. If you believe the violation was issued in error, you can dispute it through the formal process.

Does my record show accidents I was not at fault for?

Only if you reported the accident to police and it appears in the police report. If the other driver reported it but you did not, it may not be on your DPS record, though it could be in the other driver's insurance claim. Check your record to see what is listed, and contact DPS if you believe an accident was reported incorrectly.

How long does a suspension stay on my driving record?

A suspension or revocation stays on your record for three years from the date it was lifted or from the original suspension date, depending on the reason. Once three years pass, it no longer appears on the standard record. However, courts and law enforcement can still access your full history. If you are explore for a job that requires a clean record, ask the employer how far back they check.