How to Order Your Alabama Driving Record
What is on my Alabama driving record?
Depending on the type of driving record you purchase, your Alabama driving record may provide either a partial or complete outline of your personal AL driving history. If you order your DMV driving record directly from the Alabama Department of Public Safety, it will contain:
- Your name and the status of your driver’s license.
- Facts about vehicle accidents.
- DUI offenses.
- Traffic points.
- Driver’s license suspensions.
- Court action orders.
- Moving violations.
If you order your driving record through DMV.com, you will receive valuable information such as: violation convictions, accidents (if reported by the state), suspensions or limitations, special license classifications and DUI offenses on record. DMV.com recommends ordering a copy at least every three years. Find out what is on your driving history report by filling out the form above to order a copy of your records.
Did you know? Your personal driving history is a public record. Potential employers, insurance providers, and courts of law can all request a copy of your driving history.
What do points on my Alabama driving record mean?
Traffic points on the Alabama driving record represent traffic offenses, and the more severe the offense, the higher the point total. If you commit a low-risk moving violation, you may get as little as two points on your driving history, while actions that carry higher traffic risks are assigned more traffic points on the DPS driving record:
- Speeding up to 25 mph over the limit: 2 points
- Improper turning and coasting: 2 points
- Unsafe vehicle or motorcycle operation: 2 points
- Following too closely or disrespecting traffic signalization: 3 points
- Driving on the wrong side of the road or illegal passing: 4 points
- Speeding over 26 mph over the limit: 5 points
- Failure to yield right of way: 5 points
- DUI offense resulting in administrative license suspension: 6 points
- Reckless driving: 6 points
To improve your DMV driving record in Alabama, you may be asked to complete corrective actions assigned by a court order. Depending on the offense, you may need to pay a traffic ticket, attend a drivers improvement course or pay driver’s license reinstatement fees. By getting a copy of your motor vehicle history today, you can check the total number of points on your personal driving record.
How do points against my Alabama license affect me?
Points on your Alabama driving record can result in a suspended or disqualified driver’s license. As you commit more traffic violations, points on your DPS drivers report will accumulate.
The Department of Public Safety calculates the length of each driving license suspension based on the total amount of traffic points collected by a driver within two years:
- From 12 to 14 points: License suspension of 60 days
- From 15 to 17 points: License suspension of 90 days
- From 18 to 20 points: License suspension of 120 days
- From 21 to 23 points: License suspension of 180 days
- 24 points and above: License suspension of 365 days
In addition to paying penalties and reinstatement fees, a license suspension can affect your job prospects. Traffic offenses in AL with criminal consequences can result in driver’s license revocations, which may force commercial driving employers to reject your job application. Insurance companies determine car insurance rates by examining your driver’s license status and any previous violations/accidents. Points found on your Department of Public Safety driving record may lead to less affordable coverage premiums.
How do I remove drivers license points from my Alabama record?
Points on an Alabama driving record stay visible for the full length of a driving license’s validity. However, when two years pass from the date of a traffic violation, your points will no longer be counted towards a future driving license suspension.
To keep your license active, you must stay below the limit of 12 traffic points in two years. Defensive driving courses are only required if ordered by a county traffic court.
How long do points stay on my Alabama driving record?
For the purposes of a driver’s license suspension, point values remain on your Alabama DMV driving record for two years. Otherwise, these points will remain on your driver’s license for as long as it is valid.
Alabama DUI Records
The Alabama DPS driving record contains details about DUI violations you may have been convicted of. If you are found guilty of a related offense, this information will automatically become part of your arrest record. You may be asked to present your AL DUI arrest record to complete a drivers license reinstatement, or to fulfill an alcohol education program.
How do I know if my Alabama driving license is suspended?
By requesting a copy of your driving history, you will learn about previous and current driver’s license suspensions or revocations that you may have. Additionally, you will be required to fulfill your suspension period before you are eligible to apply for Alabama driving license reinstatement.
Previous Traffic Violations in Alabama
Past traffic violations affect your driving license status. If you received a speeding ticket, or made an illegal pass or improper turn, these violations will be recorded on your driver’s report. Purchase a copy of your driving record for details about previous moving violations, as well as any other changes that may affect your license status.
Why do I need a copy of my Alabama driving record?
Your Alabama DMV driving record provides crucial information about past infractions. Order a drivers record when you are considering a job position in a commercial transport company, when you intend to negotiate an auto insurance premium or even when you sign up for a bank loan.
Check for Points in Alabama
Get a copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety to see how many points you have accumulated with previous traffic offenses. A driving history report obtained through the Alabama DPS contains specific details about the number of points assigned to each traffic violation you have been cited for.
Determine how many points you have accumulated and whether or not you are near driver’s license suspension, by obtaining a copy of your driving record.
Applying for a Commercial Driver Position in Alabama
As a prospective commercial driver, the status of your Alabama driving history is essential to getting a job. Failure to maintain a clean report may allow other candidates to get the position you seek. Review your personal AL driving record today to ensure you are viewed as a suitable candidate.
During the hiring process, you will be asked for a current copy of your driving record.
Lower Alabama Car Insurance Premiums
Reputable car insurance agencies base their calculations for insurance premiums on the state of your driving record. When you research an auto insurance provider, present a clean motor vehicle report to secure lower insurance rates. Otherwise, drivers with numerous accidents or violations on their Alabama drivers record can expect higher premiums.
Take Alabama Traffic School to Prevent Points
Avoid accumulating points on your driving record by attending a traffic school in Alabama. Note: Traffic points on the AL DPS driving record may remain permanently. County courts may order you to take a driver’s improvement course in a traffic school as a penalty for traffic offenses, but this will not lower the number of points on your DMV driving record.
Why do employers check your Alabama driving record?
During the recruitment process, commercial vehicle companies and delivery companies will review employee driving history reports to select the safest and most responsible employees from the pool of potential candidates.
A clean Alabama driving history report demonstrates that you do not present any risk to an employer, while a drivers record with numerous accidents or violations indicates that you are more likely to cause the company unnecessary expenses, such as property damages, medical bills or lawsuit damages.
How do I get my Alabama driving record?
DMV.com recommends ordering driving records from a secure and reliable source. You have the option of ordering your driving record directly from a local government branch of the Alabama DPS.
As an alternative option, DMV.com has partnered with BackgroundChecks.com to deliver you the most up-to-date information quickly and conveniently. We partnered with BackgroundChecks.com because their commitment to keeping your information confidential and safe is a top priority.
Different Types of Alabama Driving Records
The Alabama Department of Public Safety issues four different types of driving records. Each document features a different compilation of driving information.
3-Year Driving Driving Record
The three-year driving record abstract is the shortest drivers record offered by the DPS and provides information about your most recent AL driving history.
State Bar Driving Record
A state bar driving abstract from the Alabama Department of Public Safety includes details about the personal driving histories of members in the legal field.
Crash Report Record
To analyze specific information about past events that resulted in accidents, request a crash report record from the Alabama DPS. Note that details about suspensions and violations are not explained in full detail with a crash report in AL.
Complete Driving Record
The complete driving record is an in-depth document of all moving violations, traffic offenses and license suspensions that you incurred in Alabama, and it is offered by the Department of Public Safety.
Employers who are considering candidates for a commercial driving position typically request and review these lifetime DPS driving records before making a hiring selection.
How do I fix a mistake on an Alabama drivers history report?
A mistake on your driving history report can change the status of your driver’s license. For instance, an extra point can result in a driver’s license suspension. To prevent errors from affecting your license, keep track of the details in your personal driving record.
Call, email or visit the Alabama Department of Public Safety office to rectify any AL DMV driving record mistakes.
What is not included on my Alabama driving record report?
The Alabama driving history report contains information about your personal driving past and infractions you may have committed. If you would like to obtain additional information than what is provided on your state driving record, DMV.com allows you to review the following documentation:
- Background checks
- VIN checks
- Police record reports
Alabama Vehicle Registration History
The vehicle registration history report includes specific details about each car that you have registered or owned in the state of Alabama. Learn about previous vehicles’ registration numbers and mileage readings. Moreover, if you are required to provide proof of ownership or vehicle registration, these documents will allow you to fulfill such requirements.
Driving Record Fees in Alabama
A driving record in Alabama costs $5.75.
Driving Record Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Driver License Forms from ALEA.gov