Haris Ashley
Your driving record is a key factor in determining your car insurance premiums. A history of accidents, traffic violations, and claims will result in higher premiums as you are deemed a high-risk driver. Conversely, a clean driving record can lead to lower insurance rates. Insurance companies typically look back at the previous three to five years of driving history, but this can vary depending on state laws and individual companies, with some checking up to ten years of records.
When applying for a new policy or a renewal, insurance companies will check your driving record to assess your risk level. They will look at your motor vehicle report, which includes accidents, claims, and tickets, as well as your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report, which details insurance claims on your car and home.
You can request your driving record from your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see what an insurance company will see. This will usually incur a small fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often is your driving record checked? | When applying for a new insurance policy, getting a new quote, or when your car insurance is up for renewal. |
| How far back do companies check your driving history? | Most companies check the past 3-5 years of driving history, but some go back as far as 7-10 years. |
| What can insurance companies see on your driving record? | Traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUIs, and any other relevant driving-related incidents. |
| What else do insurance companies check? | Employment status, extra driving courses taken, where the vehicle is kept, claims history, and criminal history (unrelated to driving). |
What You'll Learn
How to get a copy of your driving record
Your driving record is a key factor in determining your car insurance premiums. A good driving record generally results in lower premiums, while a history of accidents or serious traffic violations will increase your premiums as you are considered a higher risk.
Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide you with a copy of your driving record, usually for a small fee. The process for obtaining a copy may vary depending on your location, but it generally involves the following steps:
Determine the type of driving record you want to receive: Different types of driving records may be used for different purposes, such as background checks or court appearances. Common types include:
- Residential history record: Lists your residential driving history.
- Certified true copies: A complete driving record for official use by government agencies and courts.
- Complete extract copies: Designed for personal use but can also be given to employers or insurance companies.
- Limited extract copies: Shows your driving history for the last three years and can be used for background checks and insurance purposes.
- Complete the appropriate application: You may be able to apply online or in person, depending on your state.
- Provide proof of identification: This may include your Social Security number and driver's license number.
- Pay any applicable fees: The cost of obtaining a driving record varies by state. For example, in South Carolina, you can access your driving record points summary online for free, while North Carolina charges $5 for a three-year driving record.
Additional Information on Your Driving Record
Your driving record typically includes information such as:
- Your name and address
- Driver's license number
- License status (valid, expired, suspended, etc.)
- Convictions related to motor vehicle violations
- Accident information
- Driver control actions, such as failure to yield or stop
- Total demerit points
- Active fine suspensions
- Driving convictions
- Suspensions and reinstatements
It's important to note that your driving record may not include non-moving violations (e.g., parking tickets) or criminal history unrelated to driving. Additionally, red-light camera tickets typically don't lead to demerit points as they can't verify the driver inside the vehicle.
How Insurance Companies Use Your Driving Record
Insurance companies use your driving record to assess your risk as a driver. They consider your driving history, including moving violations and accidents, to determine your insurance rates and coverage eligibility. A history of speeding tickets, accidents, or DUI convictions will generally result in higher insurance rates. However, minor violations may have less of an impact on your premiums.
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How long do violations remain on your driving record?
The length of time a violation remains on your driving record varies depending on the state and the severity of the violation. In California, for example, a speeding ticket will typically stay on your record for three years, while a DUI will remain on your record for ten years. More serious violations, such as hit-and-runs, reckless driving, or driving over 100 mph, can stay on your record for up to 13 years. In Texas, a speeding ticket will remain on your driving record permanently, but it will only affect your car insurance rates for three to five years.
In Washington State, there are two types of driving records: insurance records and employment records. Tickets will be considered for insurance purposes for three years from the date the court decides your case, while they will remain on your employment record for five years. Accidents involving non-commercial vehicles will stay on your record for five years from the collision date, while accidents involving commercial vehicles will remain for ten years. Alcohol-related convictions, such as DUIs, will stay on your driving record for life in Washington State.
In Florida, most moving and non-moving violations will remain on your record for three to five years, while severe offenses can stay on your record for 10, 15, or even 75 years in the case of alcohol-related offenses. In Virginia, tickets can stay on your driving record for three to eleven years, and some offenses, such as driving a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence, will remain on your record for life.
It's important to note that each state has its own laws regarding how long a violation will remain on your driving record, and the length of time can vary depending on the severity of the offense. The best way to find out how long a violation will remain on your record in your specific state is to check with your state motor vehicle department.
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How your driving record impacts your insurance rates
Your driving record is a major factor in determining your car insurance premiums. A good driving record generally results in lower premiums, while a history of accidents or serious traffic violations will make your insurance more expensive.
When you apply for car insurance, the company will assess your risk level. They will want to know how you drive and how responsible you are behind the wheel. They will look at your driving history, including accidents, claims, and tickets. They will also check your Claims Loss Underwriting Exchange report, which details how often you have made insurance claims on your car and home, to predict your future claim risk.
If you are deemed a high-risk driver, you will pay more for insurance. A high-risk driver is more likely to file claims and will pay higher rates. A minor moving violation will tend to increase your insurance premiums by 10 to 15 percent. One accident can increase auto insurance rates by an average of $80 per month, while one speeding ticket can raise your rates by $45 per month. A DUI will have an even greater impact on your insurance rates and can remain on your record for up to 10 years.
If you have a history of serious traffic violations, an insurance company might deem you too risky to insure and refuse to offer you a policy.
The best way to keep your insurance rates low is to maintain a clean driving record.
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What is a clean driving record?
A clean driving record is a record with no violations, accidents, recent claims, or traffic-related convictions for a set amount of time. It is the ideal situation for any driver, as it lowers your insurance rate because you are considered a lower-risk driver.
In the state of Illinois, a clean driving record is characterised by 3-5 years without any points on your license, 3-5 years without any accidents, 2 years without any traffic tickets or moving violations, 10+ years without any major violations (such as DUIs or hit-and-runs), and 7 years without filing any insurance claims.
The definition of a clean driving record varies depending on the state and the insurance company. For example, while one company might raise your rates after your first speeding ticket, another might not consider your first offence that risky and will only raise your rates by a small amount.
A clean driving record is important because it can help you secure better insurance rates. If you have no accidents or violations on your record, the passage of time could help you secure better insurance rates.
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How insurance companies check your driving record
When applying for a car insurance policy, the insurance company will want to know how much risk you carry for them. That's why they check your driving record. Insurance companies check your driving record to determine whether you're a high-risk driver. They will check for a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs.
Insurance companies can check your driving record with one simple legal identifier: your driver's license. Any time you have an accident, make an insurance claim, or receive a citation for a traffic violation, your driver's license number is associated with these events. Insurance companies can also get your driving record from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or LexisNexis.
Insurance companies typically check the past 3-10 years of your driving record to determine a quote. The specific time frame depends on state law, but most use driver's license numbers to retrieve information. In most states, they will only look into the past three years, but it is possible that the company will check further. For example, in California, a DUI remains on the record and counts as an offense for 10 years, whereas an accident has a look-back period of three years.
Insurance companies will check your driving record when you apply for a new policy and at renewal. They will also check when you get a new quote, change the level of coverage, change your car, or add an extra driver to the same coverage.
Insurance companies look for any negative marks on your driving record that may indicate you are a high-risk driver. They view accidents, excessive insurance claims, and traffic violations as the biggest red flags. Insurers will also check to see whether your driver's license has ever been suspended.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request a copy of your driving record from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a small fee.
This depends on your state. In most states, insurance companies will only look into the past three years, but some will check further, with some looking back as far as seven to ten years.
Your driving record, also known as a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), includes any moving violations, traffic tickets, accidents, license suspensions, and DUI convictions. It also includes personal information such as your name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
Your driving record is a major factor in determining your auto insurance premiums. A good driving record generally results in lower premiums, while a history of accidents or serious traffic violations will make your insurance more expensive as you are considered a higher risk.
