Keeping a clean driving record is essential for anyone driving on Texas roads. A Texas driving record is a documented history of an individual's driving history, which includes traffic violations, accidents, drivers license suspension, revocations, and other incidents. The State of Texas provides various driving record types to help individuals stay informed about their driving history. In certain circumstances, an individual may need to provide their driving record upon request, such as when applying for a job or using a defensive driving course to resolve a traffic citation. Texas offers various types of driving records to meet different needs and ensure that only necessary information is provided to the requester. It's important to keep your Texas driving record clean, as it is used to calculate your car insurance rates and maintaining a spotless record can result in significant long-term savings.
Types of Texas Driving Records Available
There are several different types of driving records available to Texans, each with its own set of information. Understanding the types of driving records available and what information they contain is crucial, whether you need to check your own driving record, provide it to an employer or court, or just want to stay informed about your driving history.
The driving records available for regular and commercial licenses are not the same. Here, we will focus primarily on the driving records applicable to regular non-commercial driver licenses, also known as the MVR – Motor Vehicle Report (note that an MVR may also be used for commercial purposes, but there are additional CDL-specific reports that are frequently utilized by carriers).
Regular License - MVR
Overall, there are six different types of Texas driving records available to non-commercial drivers. Let’s take a closer look at them and what information they provide.
- Type 1 – Status Record: This type of Texas driving record provides basic personal information about the driver, including their birth date, address, driver license status. This is the most basic personal driving record that is used to determine the status of the drivers license.
- Type 2 – 3-year History Record: The Type 2 driving record in Texas is a 3-year history record that lists the driver’s personal information, including citations, traffic accidents, and all moving violations that occurred during the past 3 years.
- Type 2A: This is a certified version of the Type 2 driving record that provides all the same information as the 3-year history record, but it is certified. A certified history can be presented in court or for other official reasons. This record CANNOT be used for a defensive driving course or a driver safety course.
- Type 3 – List of All Accidents and Violations: This type of driving record includes all accidents and violations, regardless of whether or not tickets were issued. All moving and non-moving violations are included. It also includes the driver’s personal information.
- Type 3A: This is a certified version of the Type 3 driving record that includes the same information as the Type 3 record, but it is certified and may be used for official purposes. This is the type of driving record you need for ticket dismissal in Texas.
- Type AR - Certified Abstracts of Driving Record: The Type AR driving record is a certified, comprehensive abstract that includes the driver’s entire record, covering the past 15 years. This record includes all violations, accidents, suspensions and personal information. Serious violations will remain on the driving record indefinitely. The fees for each type of license may vary.
All these types of driving records are specific to Texas, they are kept and maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety for all drivers who are registered within the state. Typically, these records are used to assess the driver’s insurance rates, eligibility for defensive driving and driver safety courses, employment evaluations, etc.
Commercial License – PSP and DAC
Commercial driving records are an important aspect of the hiring process for truck drivers. PSP and DAC are two records most carriers use to screen drivers, and it's crucial for drivers to understand what information is included in these records and how to access them.
PSP is a record system maintained by FMCSA that includes inspection and crash information recorded by federal and state authorities. Carriers review this record during the pre-employment process. You can access your PSP record online by paying $10 or by submitting a Freedom of Information Act Request to FMCSA, which takes 20 days.
DAC is a record of your employment history in the CDL industry, maintained by a company called HireRight. DAC records include your MVR, as well as details from past and current employers. Carriers will review your DAC record during the hiring process. You can request your record by filling out a form on HireRight's website or by calling their customer service line.
Driving Record For Defensive Driving (3A)
If you're taking a Texas defensive driving course, you'll need to obtain a Texas 3A driving record to present at the courthouse along with your completion certificate. This type of record includes all the same information as a type 3 record but is certified and may be used for official purposes. To obtain a type 3A driving record, you can request it online or by mail, using the same methods outlined for other types of records. It's important to note that it can take up to three weeks to receive it by mail if you are ordering it through the DPS. By planning ahead and submitting an application for a copy of driver record early, you can ensure that you have everything you need to successfully dismiss a traffic ticket. If you are strapped for time, you can obtain a Texas driver record through your driving school or order a printable record through the DPS online.
Request Driving Record in Texas
Fortunately, there are numerous options for obtaining a Texas driving record. The best choice for you will depend on the purpose of obtaining the record and the time you have to invest. Here are some of the options available to you.
In-person
Before the pandemic, one of the ways to obtain a copy of your Texas drivers record was by visiting a Texas Department of Public Safety office and bringing a completed Driving Record Request Form (Form DR-1) and the appropriate fee. However, due to the current circumstances, in-person requests are no longer be available.
By Mail
You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail. To do this, you will need to complete a Driving Record Request Form (Form DR-1) and mail it, along with a check or money order for the appropriate fee, to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The fee for a driving record obtained by mail depends on the type of a record that you request.
Ordering a driving record by mail may not be the best option for those who need their record in a hurry. It can take up to three weeks to receive a driving record by mail, which can be inconvenient for those who need it sooner. Additionally, there is always the possibility that the record could be lost in the mail or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Online
Ordering a Texas driving record online provides a convenient and easy option for those looking to obtain a copy of their driving record quickly. There are two options available: ordering through a driving school or the DPS directly.
Ordering through a driving school has several advantages. They can help ensure you obtain the correct driving record and store it for future use, which means you can obtain a duplicate easily if needed. Additionally, many driving schools will print and mail the record for you upon request, making the process more convenient, while the DPS will not mail an online driving record. This method can be especially beneficial for those who may need to take a Texas defensive driving course, as some driving schools offer a bundled package deal for the course and driving record. If you need a Texas driving record for defensive driving – we recommend that you order it with the same school you are taking the course with and get a complete package.
The second option is to order directly through the DPS. Ordering directly from the DPS may be more affordable, but it comes with some drawbacks. In the case that you encounter problems such as the inability to open or print the record, or a malfunctioning computer, you will have to request another record and pay double the cost – the DPS does not keep track of your requests and does not provide refunds for failed attempts. Therefore, it is advisable to order your Texas driving record through DPS if you know what type of record you need and are not participating in a driver safety course.
Driver Record Cost
When it comes to obtaining a Texas drivers record, there are fees associated with each method. The cost depends on the type of driving record you need and the method of obtaining it.
DPS Application
We will list current DPS fees for reference only, as prices may change without notice any time.
- Type 1 record: $4
- Type 2 record: $6
- Type 2A record: $10
- Type 3 record: $10
- Type 3A record: $12
- Type AR record: $20
It's important to note that these prices are subject to change and additional fees may apply depending on how you choose to obtain your driving record. The DPS may also collect an additional surcharge for processing a payment (~$2.50) if you choose to order a Texas driving record online.
Driving Schools
If you order your driving record through a driving school, the cost may be higher, ranging from $20 to $40, depending on the school and delivery methods that you choose. While this option may be more expensive, a driving school can help ensure that you are getting the correct driving record you need. Additionally, some schools offer to print and mail the record to you, saving you time and effort, something that is not available through the DPS online service.
FREE Driving Record
All Texas driving records are kept by the Department of Public Safety and the DPS charges a fee whenever you or anyone else needs to check your driving record, whether it is done online, or through the mail. Therefore, it is unlikely that someone would purchase a Texas drivers license record and give it to you for free. As much as it may be an unwelcome realization, this is the reality.
Having said that, the situation is different for those who are participating in a Texas online defensive driving course and there is a way for them to receive a free DMV driving record online. Some of the defensive driving course providers will bundle the driving record with your defensive driving course and you may receive your driving record free as a bonus. That is, if you did not opt to take the cheapest defensive driving course in Texas in the first place – a school that offers a heavily discounted program is unlikely to be able to offer you any extra amenities, such as allowing you to check your driving record free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get driving record in Texas?
You can order your Texas driving record online or by mail. To order it online, you can order it from a driving school or visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website and follow the instructions. You can also request a copy by mail by completing the DR-1 form and mailing it along with the fee to the DPS. You cannot request a drivers license record in Texas in-person at a local DPS office.
What type of driving record do I need for ticket dismissal in Texas?
To dismiss a traffic ticket in Texas, you will need to obtain a type 3A certified driving record. This record provides all the information as the Type 3 record except that it is a certified report that may be used for official purposes. You will need to present this record at the courthouse along with the certificate of completion for defensive driving.
How to clean a driving record in Texas?
The answer to this question depends on the violation you are trying to clear. Some tickets can be taken care of with the help of a certified Texas driver safety course (also known as defensive driving). For some violations, the only way to have it removed from your drivers record is to wait until it is automatically removed after a certain period. Most minor violations will be removed after three years, while more serious offenses may remain on your record for up to 10 years
What is a Texas type 3a driving record?
A Texas type 3A driving record is a certified driving record that includes all accidents and violations, even if no tickets were issued. This record is used for official purposes and is required for ticket dismissal with the help of a defensive driving course. If you are participating in a driver safety course, you will need to submit a type 3A record to court along with your certificate of completion for the course. Many schools will help you order the correct 3A record online.