Maryland Driving Record

A Maryland driving record is managed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), the same organization that oversees all driver and vehicle-related services throughout the state of Maryland. Each DMV driving record includes detailed information pertaining to Maryland motorists, including any moving violations received and traffic points acquired. Checking driving records is not the same as performing a background check or checking police records. Maryland driving records only include violations associated with driving a motor vehicle. However, DMV driving abstracts contain other important driving information and are available as complete records, 3 year driving records and probation before judgement (PBJ) records. MD driving records may be ordered online, by mail or in person.

1. Order Your Maryland Driving Record Online

Maryland driving records can be obtained quickly and easily by submitting your request online through a secure and trustworthy provider. Online requests for driving records in Maryland can be completed in minutes, and digital documentation is sent to customers instantly for immediate access. Furthermore, driving history reports that are ordered online will include a wide variety of important details, including past violation convictions (including DUIs), driver license status, license restrictions and endorsements, driving demerit points and any administrative actions that have been incurred. Click here to order a copy of your Maryland driving record in today.

2. By Mail

Maryland driving records can be obtained by mail if you fill out the Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records form and send it (with payment) to the address listed on the application. This form must be fully completed in order to avoid any processing delays or application rejections. Applying by mail is a suitable option for requestors who do not need documentation urgently, as the processing time for mail-in requests is the longest of the three options available.

3. Via a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Office

The final option drivers have is to check their Maryland driving records in person at a local MVA office. To order driving records in person, you will likely have to make an appointment with the MVA. Otherwise, you will likely experience long wait times. Additionally, while this may be the most cost-efficient application method, you will only be able to obtain MD driving records during office hours, which may be inconvenient. Furthermore, you will have to call your closest MVA office in advance to make sure it fulfills driving record requests. 

Verifying your DMV driving history annually or bi-annually is imperative for multiple reasons. It is important to verify your report to ensure that your DMV driving abstract is accurate and contains no errors since car insurance providers, potential employers and court law officials may review public driver history information on an as-needed basis. While your personal driving history in MD is automatically closed to the public (including your address, Social Security Number and driver’s license number), public driving record information is accessible to any individual who has access to a subject’s driver’s license number, name and date of birth. A public driving abstract contains the subject’s driving status, zip code, three year driving record, car accident information and identifying vehicle information.

To find out more about how to check your driving record in Maryland, read the comprehensive information below:

• What is on my Maryland driving record?
• Why do I need a copy of my Maryland driving record?
• How do I get my Maryland driving record?
• What do points on my Maryland driving record mean?
• What are the different types of driving records in Maryland?
• What is not included on Maryland driving records?

What is on my Maryland driving record?

When you check your driving record in MD, you will notice that the contents of the statement vary depending on the type of report you request. A DMV 3 year driving record, complete driving report and probation before judgement (PBJ) driving record are all available as certified or non-certified driving records. However, the information included on each of these MD drivers records vary. For instance, a three year driving record consists of driving information throughout the previous three years. A three year driving record includes detailed information regarding driver’s license suspensions or revocations, driver’s license issuances and the status of the driver’s license, involvement in any vehicular accidents and any traffic violation convictions. However, a complete driving record contains all this information, but also contains data from the subject’s entire driving history.

A driving record check in Maryland also includes the option of obtaining a probation before judgement (PBJ) driving record. Driving records in MD often contain probation before judgements after DUI convictions. However, a PBJ driver history abstract may only be requested by the subject, the subject’s attorney, or by government officials. PBJ driving abstracts contain complete driving records, but also any probation before judgements included in the subject’s motor vehicle history. 

Why do I need a copy of my Maryland driving record?

Performing a driving license check is important for many reasons. Verifying your traffic court records, points accumulated and the personal information included on your motor vehicle history helps you to avoid accumulating an excess in driving points, which may lead to unwanted driver’s license suspensions, revocations, warnings or driving penalties. Just as occasionally checking police reports, credit scores and background verifications are important, requesting a driving record in Maryland is the best way to confirm that your personal driving history is correct and contains no errors. Getting driving records and verifying information is an excellent way to protect your identity, driving skills and even your driving reputation. Additionally, your personal driving record is a reflection of your ability to follow Maryland driving laws and certain professional parties may be interested in checking driving records for employment or auto insurance purposes.

“Who else wants to get my driving record and why?” you might ask. Aside from driving abstracts being of importance to the Maryland District Court and the MVA (the Maryland District Court contacts the MVA if a vehicle-related violation occurs), other parties may also be interested in obtaining public driving records. Interested parties such as courts, employers, car insurance companies or government officials may check driving records by submitting a Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records if the party has access to the subject’s name, date of birth and driver’s license number.

How do I get my Maryland driving record?

Where to get driving records depends on the specific type of Maryland driving abstract you need. Complete driving records, PBJ records, 3 year driving records and certified or non-certified records are all available options in Maryland. Before determining how to get your driving record in Maryland, you must first determine which driving report you require.

“How do I get my 3 year driving record quickly?” is a common question among Maryland motorists. Online driving record ordering provides applicants with the quickest, most convenient ordering experience. Printable driving records may be obtained online through a trusted third-party provider, such as DMV.com. Online MD driving record orders allow applicants to print driving records from the convenience of home in just minutes, making online ordering a quick and easy alternative to visiting a local MVA office. To order a three year driving record online, complete a convenient online request form here. Driving abstracts contain past driving violations, accumulated driving points, license restrictions and endorsements, the status of your driver’s license and any administrative penalties which you have incurred.  

Alternately, three year driving records, complete driving histories and PBJ driving records may be obtained in person at a local MVA office or by completing a Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records form (form DR-057) and returning it by mail. To find out how to check your driving record by mail or in person, obtain a Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records form and enter all requested information. To obtain driving records using this method, all applicants must provide their name, driver’s license number, address, telephone number and a return address if the driving record is to be returned by mail. Completed DMV driving history forms may be returned to a local MVA office or by mail. However, not all MVA offices process MD driving records so it is important to check with the local office before visiting them or submitting the completed form by mail.

Additionally, a DMV complete driving record or a PBJ record is only available per the request of the individual, the individual’s attorney, officers from the police or judicial system, government officials or authorized employers of CDL drivers.

What do points on my Maryland driving record mean?

In Maryland, having a low number of driving record points is better than a higher number of points. Each time a driving violation occurs, an additional point on driving records will result. However, the amount of MD driving record points acquired depends on the severity of the driving violation. Some driving abstract offenses result in a lower number of points while severe offenses result in a higher number of points.

“What is a driving abstract point and what causes them?”, you may ask. Points listed on MD abstract driving records signify accidents, driving violations and any driving tickets received. If a Maryland driver is convicted of a vehicle-related criminal traffic offense, the Maryland District Court notifies the MVA and the department applies the acquired points to the driver’s vehicle history report. Generally, a low number of points is added to DMV driving records for minor offenses such as the following: not stopping at a stop sign, failing to apply a turn signal, changing lanes during unsafe situations, improperly using the turn lane or speeding.

A higher number of Maryland driving abstract points are acquired during more serious offenses such as the following: driving under the influence, driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, unlawful use of a driver’s license or loaning a MD driver’s license to another individual. However, what is considered a criminal traffic offense in one state may not be considered a criminal offense in another, so it is important to stay informed about Maryland’s local driving laws. Additionally, it is important that drivers regularly check driving record data to avoid unexpected warnings or driving penalties. An accumulation in points on driving reports results in the following consequences:

• 3 to 4 points will result in a warning letter.
• 5 to 7 points will result in the need to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program.
• 8 to 11 points will result in a notice of driver’s license suspension.
• 12 or more driving record points will result in a notice of revocation.

Points acquired on Maryland DMV driving records stay on the individual’s DMV driving history for at least three years from the date of the driving conviction. After the three years have passed, you can only attempt to clean your driving record if no additional driving violations have occurred. Additionally, you may only clean your driving record if points are not the result of a driver’s license suspension, revocation, driving under the influence or leaving the scene of an auto accident.

“When does your driving record clear if you do not meet these requirements?” you may ask. In any case, you may submit a driving record expungement appeal in an attempt to remove acquired points from your driving record. An expunge driving record request or written driving record expungement letter must be submitted to the MVA’s Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD).

What are the different types of driving records in Maryland?

How to check your driving record depends on the specific type of driving report needed. The MVA issues three different types of driving abstracts, including PBJ records, complete records and 3 year driving records. Each of these Maryland drivers license records may be requested as certified or non-certified reports. However, PBJ vehicle history reports are only available to the subject of the report or applicable parties such as the subject’s attorney, members of the police or judicial system, government officials, or authorized employers of CDL drivers.

A complete or full driving record contains a driver’s entire motor vehicle history, while a 3 year driving record includes driving history, suspensions, car accident involvements and traffic violation convictions from the previous three years. PBJ records include a DMV complete driving record in addition to any probation before judgements.

What is not included on Maryland driving records?

While a Maryland driving record includes important information such as driving points acquired, car insurance information, DUI arrests, certain vehicle identification details, vehicular accident information and driver’s license status, DMV police reports are excluded. Unlike an online police record request, MD driving records do not contain the specific details of criminal charges, such as time served in incarceration or the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of a driver with criminal driving violations. Furthermore, DMV driving records are not the same as VIN number checks or background checks. While a Maryland driving record does contain vehicle identifying information such as the automobile’s VIN number, odometer reading and car title number, an actual VIN number check is a separate type of driving record check. 

Additionally, the information provided on MD driving abstracts depends on whether the driving record is private or public. By law, all private Maryland driving record information is automatically closed from the public and is only available to the record holder. Personal driving history includes the driver’s name, address, date of birth, driver’s license number and Social Security Number. However, other parties may know how to check your driving record for public information if they have access to your name, date of birth and driver’s license number. Public Maryland driving abstracts include your zip code, driving status, any driving violations from the past three years, vehicular accident information and identifying vehicle information.