What a Texas driving record contains and where to request it
Your Texas driving record is a document maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) that lists your driving history for the past three years. It shows traffic violations, at-fault accidents, license suspensions, and convictions — anything the state has recorded about how you drive. You can request your own record, or an employer, insurance company, or court can request it with your permission.
The record you get depends on who is asking for it. If you request your own record, you see everything on file. If someone else requests it, they see a version filtered by Texas law — for instance, an insurance company might see violations but not certain administrative actions. The document itself is straightforward: it lists dates, violation codes, fines paid, and current license status.
Key Takeaways
- Texas driving records show three years of violations, accidents, and suspensions, and you can request your own record online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.
- The cost is $11 for a three-year record or $16 for a seven-year record when you request it yourself; employer and insurance requests may cost more.
- Online requests through the DPS website are processed within one business day, while mail requests take five to seven business days.
- Your record affects insurance rates, employment in certain fields, and loan applications, so checking it regularly for errors is worth doing.
- You can dispute inaccurate information on your record by contacting DPS with documentation of the error.
How to request your record online, by mail, or in person
The fastest way to get your record is through the Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov. Go to the Driver License section and select "Order a Driving Record." You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card. The record is emailed to you within one business day, usually within hours. This method costs $11 for a three-year record.
If you prefer not to order online, you can request your record by mail. Send a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, 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 $11 payable to "Texas Department of Public Safety." Mail requests take five to seven business days. You can also visit a DPS office in person with your driver's license and pay the same fee; you will receive a printed copy on the spot.
If you need a longer history, you can request a seven-year record for $16. This is sometimes required by employers or for certain legal matters. The same three methods explore — online, mail, or in person — and the cost and timeline are the same except that online orders may take up to two business days for a seven-year record.
What violations and incidents appear on your record
Traffic violations are listed by date and violation code. A speeding ticket, running a red light, or improper lane change all appear with the date, the fine amount, and whether you paid it. At-fault accidents show the date and a brief description. License suspensions or revocations appear with the reason — for example, "Failure to Pay Fine" or "Accumulation of Points" — and the dates the suspension was in effect.
Convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license stay on your record for longer than minor violations. A DUI conviction remains visible for longer than three years and affects insurance rates and employment for years. Minor violations like a parking ticket do not appear on your driving record; only moving violations and accidents do.
Points accumulate on your record based on the violation. A minor speeding ticket might be one point; a collision might be three. If you accumulate too many points in a set time, your license is suspended. Texas uses a point system where 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months triggers a suspension notice.
Why your driving record matters for insurance, employment, and loans
Insurance companies use your driving record to set your rates. A clean record keeps your premiums lower; violations and accidents raise them. A single at-fault accident can increase your rate by 20 to 40 percent depending on the insurer, and a DUI conviction can double your premium or cause an insurer to drop you entirely. Some insurers will not cover drivers with recent violations at all.
Employers in certain fields — commercial driving, rideshare, delivery, or any job involving a company vehicle — will request your record before hiring you. A suspension, DUI, or pattern of violations can disqualify you. Even jobs that do not involve driving sometimes check your record as part of a background check, particularly if the position involves responsibility or trust.
Lenders may check your driving record when you explore for a car loan or mortgage. A poor record does not automatically disqualify you, but it can be a factor in whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive. Some lenders see a poor driving record as a sign of risk or poor judgment.
How to check your record for errors and dispute inaccuracies
Mistakes on your driving record do happen. A violation might be listed twice, a paid fine might still show as unpaid, or an accident might be marked as your fault when it was not. The first step is to get a copy of your record and read it carefully. Compare it to your own records — tickets you received, accident reports, payment receipts.
If you find an error, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division in writing. Include your driver's license number, the specific error you found, and documentation that proves it is wrong — a paid receipt, a court document, or an accident report. Mail it to the same address used for record requests: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0001. Include a copy of your driving record with the error highlighted.
DPS will investigate your dispute and contact you with the result. If the error is confirmed, your record is corrected. This process takes several weeks. If you believe the error affects your insurance rate or a job decision, contact your insurance company or employer separately and let them know you have disputed the item.
How long violations stay on your record and when they drop off
Most traffic violations remain on your Texas driving record for three years from the date of the violation. After three years, they no longer appear on the standard record you request. However, convictions for more serious offenses stay longer. A DUI conviction remains on your record for much longer — typically visible to insurers and employers for five to ten years depending on the circumstances, even if it no longer appears on the official DPS record.
Suspensions and revocations are removed from your record once the suspension period ends and you have met all reinstatement requirements. If your license was suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay those fines and any reinstatement fees before the suspension is lifted. Once lifted, the suspension itself drops off after three years.
Points also expire. Points from a violation drop off your record three years after the violation date. This means that if you have accumulated points and are close to a suspension, staying violation-free for three years will bring your point total back down.
What to do if your license is suspended based on your record
If your record shows a suspension, your license is not valid for driving. The suspension notice should have been mailed to your address on file. Common reasons for suspension include accumulating too many points, failing to pay a fine, or failing to appear in court for a traffic ticket. You cannot drive legally until the suspension is lifted.
To lift a suspension, you must address the reason for it. If it was for unpaid fines, pay them and any reinstatement fee (typically $100). If it was for failure to appear, contact the court and resolve the ticket. If it was for points accumulation, you must wait out the suspension period, which is usually 30 to 90 days depending on the reason. Once the reason is resolved, contact DPS to confirm the suspension has been lifted before you drive.
Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Texas and can result in fines, jail time, and further license suspension. If you are unsure whether your license is currently suspended, request your record or call the DPS Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6556 to check your status.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my driving record from Texas?
Online orders are processed within one business day, usually within hours. Mail requests take five to seven business days. In-person requests at a DPS office are completed when ready. A seven-year record may take up to two business days if ordered online.
Can I see someone else's driving record?
No, not without their permission. Only the driver, their employer, insurance company, or a court can request the record. If you need someone's record for a legal matter, you must go through the court system or have written consent from the driver.
Does a ticket I paid still show up on my record?
Yes. Paying a ticket does not remove it from your record; it only shows that you paid the fine. The violation itself remains for three years. The record will show both the violation and that payment was received.
What is the difference between a three-year and seven-year record?
A three-year record shows violations and incidents from the past three years and costs $11. A seven-year record shows a longer history and costs $16. Some employers or legal matters require the seven-year version. Most personal uses need only the three-year record.
If I move out of Texas, do I need to get a new record?
Your Texas driving record stays with the Texas Department of Public Safety regardless of where you live. You can request it anytime from anywhere. If you get a driver's license in another state, that state will maintain a separate record of violations in that state.