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Have you heard the term driving abstract and are wondering what that is?
In this article we will break down what a driving abstract is and how you can order yours.
What Is a Driving Abstract?
A driving abstract is a brief summary of your driving history. It shows the most important information related to your driving record and other identifying information.
More importantly, your driver abstract is what the government shows to insurance investigators and other private parties when they ask to evaluate your insurance premium costs.
Your driving abstract contains all of the following information:
- Your name.
- Your date of birth.
- Your address.
- Your driver license class.
- Your driver license status.
- Your driver license issue date.
- Your driver license expiration date.
- A description of any DUI violations.
- A list of any points and their related offenses.
Most traffic convictions will stay visible on your driving abstract until the end of the year in which the conviction occurred and for an additional three years after that. The maximum length of time that the average traffic conviction will remain on your record is four years.
Criminal traffic convictions will also be shown on your criminal record. Criminal records are different from driving records and are not typically handled by the DMV.
Three Types of Driving Records
There are three kinds of New York driving records: the standard driving record (also called the abstract), the lifetime driving record, and the commercial driving record. Not all of the same information is on each record and not everybody has a need of all three. For example, if you are not a commercial driver, you will have no need of checking your commercial driving record.
Standard Driving Records (Abstract)
Your driving abstract shows identifying information, the last few years of your traffic convictions, and a bunch of other information that you probably don’t want your insurance provider to see. It’s best to hire a lawyer to keep as much off of your record as you possibly can. WinIt can help with that.
Lifetime Driving Records
Lifetime driving records are exactly what you might think: A collection of all records related to your driving history dating back to the first time you ever stepped foot behind the wheel. This includes your past addresses, registrations, licenses, and just about everything else you could think of.
It is important to note that, when traffic convictions disappear from your driving abstract, they still remain on your lifetime driving record.
Commercial Driving Records
Commercial driving records record all of the information pertaining to your commercial driver license (CDL). If you do not have a CDL, then you do not need to worry about your commercial driving record.
Employers will often pull this if you decide to apply for a job that requires you to do a great deal of driving, such as a job in packing and shipping or in transportation.
Ordering Your Driving Abstract
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles allows you to order your driving record in one of three ways: online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
Each of these methods has its own pros and cons, but they all work just as well. All you need to do is choose which method you’re most comfortable with and go from there.
Online
To order your driving abstract online, you will need either a New York driver license, non-driver ID, or permit. If you do not have one, you will have to either order by mail or in person at a DMV office.
All you have to do once you have your license is long into the MyDMV portal and save a PDF copy of your driving record. You can choose any of the three kinds of records.
The process for requesting your driving record by mail is different for abstracts and lifetime records than it is for commercial records. To request your abstract or your lifetime record, send a completed Request for DMV Records (MV-15) form to the below address:
MV-15 Processing
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
To request your commercial driving record, you would instead send a completed Request for Certified CDL Abstract (MV-15CDL) to that address.
At a DMV Office
This may be the simplest way, but it is also the most-time consuming. Simply look online to find the DMV location nearest you and walk on down. You’ll need a completed Request for Driving Record Information (MV-15C), proof of identity, and $10.
Can You Order Someone Else’s Driving Abstract?
Yes, but only if you have proof that the other person has granted you permissible use of their driving abstract. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prevents others from accessing your driving records without your approval.
Alternatively, if the other person’s driving record is public record, you could fill out a Freedom of Information Law Request Form (MV-FOIL) to request their record.
How Accurate Is My Driving Abstract?
Your driving abstract is only as accurate as you have made it. If you have filled out information improperly, failed to notify the DMV of address changes, or other bureaucratic errors, the driving abstract might not be properly up to date.
That being said, the DMV employees do routinely check the validity of driving records to ensure that all information is correct and verifiable.
What Can You Do If Your Abstract Has an Error on It?
If your abstract has an error on it, you should contact the DMV directly or make an appointment at the location nearest you. Only the DMV may alter your DMV records and it is those records that contain your driving abstract. To ensure that your information is as accurate as possible, be sure to bring at least two proofs and a pen to fill out the many forms you will need to complete.
Worried that a traffic ticket will make it onto your driving record? Download the WinIt app, choose an expert traffic ticket attorney to fight your case, and win it with WinIt.
