Where to request your Texas driving record

Your Texas driving record is kept by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), not by your local DMV or county office. You can request it in three ways: online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The online method is fastest and costs less than the other two.

To order online, go to the DPS Public Records portal at records.txdps.state.tx.us. You'll need a valid credit or debit card. The record arrives by email within minutes, and the fee is $6 for a three-year record or $8 for a seven-year record. This is the route most people choose because you get the document when ready and can print it at home.

If you prefer to order by mail, send a written request to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Records Bureau, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0001. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order for the same fees. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at a DPS office take about 15 minutes and cost the same amount.

Key Takeaways

  • The Texas Department of Public Safety keeps your driving record, and you can order it online at records.txdps.state.tx.us for $6 to $8 with results in minutes.
  • You need your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number to request your record, whether you order online, by mail, or in person.
  • Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days and in-person requests at a DPS office take about 15 minutes, both costing the same as online ordering.
  • Your record shows traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions, and points assessed in the past three or seven years depending on which version you order.

What information appears on your Texas driving record

Your driving record lists every traffic violation you've received in Texas, including speeding, running red lights, reckless driving, and DWI charges. It also shows accidents you reported to police or your insurance company, any license suspensions or revocations, and points assessed against your license. The record covers the past three years for a standard request or the past seven years for an extended record.

Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation. If you accumulate too many points in a short time, the state will suspend your license. For drivers under 18, the threshold is 6 points in 12 months. For drivers 18 and older, it's 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. Your record will show exactly how many points you have and when they expire.

The record does not include parking tickets, tickets dismissed in traffic court, or violations from other states unless you were convicted. If you've had a ticket dismissed or deferred, it may not appear on your record at all, depending on the court's action.

Why you might need to check your driving record

You should review your driving record before explore for car insurance, because insurers pull it to set your rates. If there are errors—a violation you didn't commit, an accident you weren't in, or a point that should have expired—catching them early lets you dispute them before they affect your premium. Insurance companies use your record for three to five years, so old violations still matter.

Employers who hire drivers also request your record. If you drive for work—delivery, rideshare, commercial transport, or any job involving a company vehicle—your employer will see your violations and accidents. Some employers disqualify candidates with recent serious violations like DWI or reckless driving.

You may also need your record for a court case, a loan process, or to verify that a violation has been removed after the three-year window. If you're contesting a ticket or suspension, having an official copy of your record from DPS is the document that proves what the state has on file.

How to dispute errors on your Texas driving record

If your record contains a violation you didn't commit or an accident you weren't involved in, you can file a dispute with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Start by gathering evidence: a copy of the ticket with the case number, court documents showing the ticket was dismissed, or police reports that contradict what's on your record.

Send your dispute in writing to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Records Bureau, at the same mailing address used for record requests. Include your driver's license number, the violation or accident you're disputing, the date it occurred, and copies of your supporting documents. DPS will investigate and contact you within 30 days if they need more information. If they find the record is wrong, they'll correct it and send you an updated record at no charge.

If DPS denies your dispute, you can request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). This process is more formal and may require you to present evidence in person or by phone. Contact SOAH at 512-475-4993 or visit soah.texas.gov for instructions on filing an appeal.

Points, suspensions, and how violations affect your license

Texas uses a points system to track driving safety. Each type of violation carries a set number of points: speeding 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit, running a red light 3 points, reckless driving 4 points, and DWI 6 points. Points accumulate over time, and if you hit the threshold for your age group, your license is automatically suspended.

A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Texas or any other state. The suspension period depends on how many points triggered it: a first suspension is usually 60 days, a second is 6 months, and a third is 12 months. You must wait out the suspension period, then pay a reinstatement fee of $100 to the Texas Department of Public Safety before you can drive again. Some violations, like DWI or driving with a suspended license, can result in revocation instead of suspension—revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal process to get your license back.

You can reduce points on your record by taking a defensive driving course. A four-hour course removes up to 3 points and may lower your insurance rate. You can take a course once every 12 months, and you must take it before you're convicted of the violation—taking it after conviction doesn't remove the points.

Understanding the difference between a three-year and seven-year record

A three-year record shows violations and accidents from the past 36 months. This is what most people order because it covers the period that matters most for insurance rates and employment checks. A seven-year record includes everything from the past 84 months and is useful if you're explore for a job that requires a longer history, such as a commercial driving position or a role with a security clearance.

Points expire after three years, so they won't appear on a seven-year record even if the violation itself is listed. For example, if you got a speeding ticket three years and one month ago, a three-year record won't show it at all, but a seven-year record will show the violation without the points. Insurance companies typically care about the three-year window, so a seven-year record is rarely necessary unless an employer specifically asks for it.

The cost difference is small—$2 more for the seven-year version—so if you're unsure which one you need, ordering the seven-year record gives you more information without much extra expense.

What to do if your license is suspended or revoked

If your driving record shows a suspension, you cannot legally drive until the suspension period ends and you pay the reinstatement fee. Check your record to see the suspension date and how long it lasts. You can drive again on the day the suspension ends, but you must pay the $100 reinstatement fee to the Texas Department of Public Safety first. You can pay online at records.txdps.state.tx.us, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.

A revocation is different from a suspension and is more serious. Revocation means your license is permanently cancelled, usually because of a DWI conviction or multiple suspensions. To get your license back after revocation, you must wait a set period (often one to five years depending on the reason), then explore for a new license through your local DPS office. You'll need to pass the written test and driving test again, and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.

If your record shows an active suspension or revocation and you believe it's an error, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at 512-424-2000 to verify the status before you attempt to drive. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense and can result in arrest, fines, and jail time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get someone else's driving record?

No. Texas law restricts access to driving records. You can only order your own record or, with written permission, a record for a minor child or someone you have legal authority over. Employers and insurance companies can request records directly from DPS with the driver's consent, but you cannot order a record for another adult without their written permission.

How long does it take to get my record if I order online?

Online records arrive by email within minutes, usually within 5 to 10 minutes of payment. You can print it when ready and use it right away. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days, and in-person requests at a DPS office take about 15 minutes.

Will a dismissed ticket show up on my driving record?

Usually not. If a ticket was dismissed in court or deferred under a first-time offender program, it typically won't appear on your record. However, some courts report dismissals differently, so it's worth checking your record to confirm. If a dismissed ticket appears, you can dispute it with DPS using the process described above.

Do I need to order a new record every time my insurance company asks for one?

Not necessarily. If you ordered your record recently and nothing has changed, you can usually provide the same copy to your insurance company. However, if more than a few months have passed or you've had a new violation, ordering a fresh record ensures the information is current and accurate.

What happens if I find points on my record I don't remember?

Check the violation date and case number on your record. If you genuinely don't remember the ticket, you can look up the case in the court system where it was filed using the case number. If you believe the violation is wrong, follow the dispute process with DPS. If you straightforward want to reduce the points, take a defensive driving course within 12 months of the violation date.