Frequently Asked Questions

The state of California only offers two types of driving records: an unofficial copy or an official copy. Unfortunately, official records are not available for purchase online. They can only be obtained by mail or in person at a local DMV office.

For more information: Your California Driving Record

Traffic school is not required if you receive traffic fines in California. However, enrolling in a course is highly recommended because completing the class can result in the court dismissing your ticket and removing points from your driving record. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

The California county decides how you will be able to pay your ticket. Most will allow you to pay traffic tickets online, in person, by mail or by phone. To find out the methods accepted by your county, visit your local DMV.

For more information: Pay Traffic Tickets Online in California

If somebody has illegally obtained your DMV driving record, make sure to notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles by filling out the Instructions for Filing a Misuse Complaint form.

Thereafter, mail it to the appropriate address that applies to your individual case. The form itself contains various addresses; find the one that is best suited for the kind of alleged misuse you would like to report.

For more information: Your California Driving Record

Online

You can request a driving record online. Be aware that ordering an online driving record will provide you with an unofficial copy. An official copy is only obtained by mail or in person.

By Mail

If you wish to make your request by mail, you can fill out the Request For Your Own Driver License Information Record and mail it to the below address:

Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 944247, MS G199 Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

In Person

You may also obtain your California driving record in person. Make sure to have the following with you:

• A completed Request For Your Own Driver License Information Record
• Proof of identification, such as your California driver s license
• Payment for any necessary fee

For more information about driving records: Your California Driving Record

Getting California traffic ticket fines dismissed can be done in one of two ways. You can either hire a ticket attorney and have him/her fight the charges for possible dismissal, or you can enroll in traffic school and submit your certificate of completion to the CA DMV. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

It is the discretion of the California Department of Motor Vehicles to determine who can receive access to another drivers record. However, in order to verify if said information will be granted to you, you can start by sending your request along with Request For Record Information application to the address below:

Department of Motor Vehicles Public Operations Unit G199 P.O. Box 944247 Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

Requests by Employer

If you would like to receive a copy of your potential employee s driving record from the National Driver Register Records, send a notarized Request for NDR Record Check (Form INF 1301 A) to the aforementioned address. Make sure to also include the $5 fee in the form of a check or money order.

For more information: Your California Driving Record

Reinstating your driving license after refusing a chemical test is not very different from the typical reinstatement process for driving under the influence in California. You will have to:

• Pay off traffic fines.
• Serve the required jail or community service time.
• Enroll in a mandatory DUI program.
• Maintain an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
• Complete your suspension period.
• File for SR 22 insurance or prove financial responsibility to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

In order to remove points from your driving license, you will have to enroll in traffic school. By paying CA traffic fines, passing a traffic class and presenting the certificate of completion to the DMV, you will be able to remove some of your most recent points. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

In the state of California, if you accumulate four points within a 12 month period, your driver s license will be suspended. Points can be removed from your record by completing a traffic school course.

For more information: Suspended License Information for California

If you are eligible to attend a California traffic school program, either to reduce the number of points on your record or to dismiss your ticket, you will only be able to complete the course once every 18 months. For more information, contact the CA DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

For more information:Your California Driving Record

Not every California county will allow you to pay CA traffic fines or check traffic ticket information online. If you live in a county that does not have this option, you must contact the county office directly.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

If your driving license was confiscated at the time of your DWI arrest, you can expect the police officer or the California Department of Motor Vehicles to issue an Order of Suspension, and possibly, a temporary driving license.

In the event you think that the suspension is not justified, you have the option of requesting an administrative hearing within 10 days of the moment you get the Order of Suspension.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

If you are checking driving record details, the state of California will allow you to obtain it in one of two ways:

• An unofficial copy You can obtain this version online.
• An official copy You can obtain this version by mail or in person.

California also allows you to obtain a copy of your record or another driver s through the National Driver Register Records, which is a national database of drivers information mainly of those who have been convicted of serious offenses.

For more information: Your California Driving Record

The punishments associated with DWI or DUI in California vary based on the number of the offense and the age of the offender.

If you are under the age of 21, you face:

• A one-year drivers license suspension.
• Mandatory enrollment in a DUI program.
• Hefty fines.

If you are a CDL driver, you face:

• A one-year drivers license suspension for your first offense.
• A permanent disqualification for any subsequent offense within 10 years.

Drivers 21 or over face the following penalties for DUI:

• 30-day to four-year drivers license suspension, which will depend on the number of the violation (first to fourth)
• From four days to 16 months in jail, which will depend on the number of the violation (first to fourth)
• From less than $1,000 to $18,000 in fines, which will depend on the number of the violation (first to fourth)
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Enrollment in a court-ordered DUI program
• $125 license reissuance fee
• SR 22 insurance filing

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

If you get a traffic ticket in another state, it will be treated as if it were received in your home state. Therefore, failure to pay an out-of-state traffic ticket in the state of California may result in points being added to your driving record or even a suspension on your driving license. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

Even if you receive traffic ticket fines when you are driving your own car, a CDL driver is required to notify his/her employer within 30 days of conviction. Punishments will vary based on the type of offense.

If you receive two convictions related to any one of the following driving violations within a period of three years, your CDL will be suspended for 60 days. The suspension period is 120 days if the number of convictions in three years is three or more:

• Driving recklessly
• Following too closely
• Changing lanes improperly
• Driving a commercial vehicle without the right CDL license or endorsement
• Driving 15 miles per hour faster than the speed limit

If it is a first offense of one of the following violations, the result is a one-year CDL suspension:

• DUI
• Refusing a chemical test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Driving a commercial vehicle with a suspended, revoked or canceled license
• Negligent driving that results in a death
• Using a commercial vehicle in a controlled substance-related felony

Second-time offenders of these major violations will incur a complete CDL disqualification.

For more information: Overview of California Traffic Ticket and other Traffic Violation Issues

Your California Driving Record will have the following information:

• The current status of your driver s license
• Accidents you were involved in, whether you were at fault or not
• Major violations in the last seven years
• Minor violations in the past seven years
• DUI convictions that happened in the last 10 years
• Suspension or revocation information about your license
• Failure to pay traffic fines or appear in court information

For more information:Your California Driving Record

The legal alcohol limits that determine DUI in California are as follows:

• For driver under 21: 0.01 percent BAC
• For drivers 21 or over: 0.08 percent BAC
• For commercial drivers: 0.04 percent BAC

For more information:DUI/DWI Information for California

The cost of a DUI charge will vary based on the number of the offense. The breakdown of fines and penalties is as follows:

• First offenses: up to $1,000
• Second offenses: up to $1,800
• Third offenses: up to $1,800
• Fourth offenses: up to $18,000

Keep in mind that these fees can vary.

For more information:DUI/DWI Information for California

California traffic fines vary based on the severity of the violation. In addition, counties can choose to raise the costs of tickets and add extra penalties and fees if their representatives see fit. For more information:Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

The fee for requesting a driver record in California is as follows:

• Online Driving Record – $2
• By Mail -$5
• In Person – $5

For more information on how to obtain your driving history: Your California Driving Record

A first offense of driving under the influence in California results in a one-year drivers license suspension. A subsequent offense within 10 years will cause your CDL to be disqualified.

For more information:DUI/DWI Information for California

California has a Zero Tolerance Law, which states that no driver under the age of 21 can have any alcohol in his/her body. The specific blood alcohol concentration mentioned by the CA DMV is 0.01 percent. If you are charged with driving under the influence in California and are under 21, you will incur:

• A one-year drivers license suspension.
• Mandatory enrollment in a DUI program.
• Hefty fines.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

In order to reinstate your license after driving under the influence or while intoxicated, the California DMV requires you to:

• Pay all traffic fines.
• Serve any jail time or community service.
• Complete a state-approved DUI program.
• Keep an ignition interlock device for the specified amount of time, if ordered.
• Wait out your suspension period.
• Apply for SR 22 insurance or prove your financial responsibility to the DMV.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

If you have been ordered by a court judge to implement an ignition interlock device in your car as the result of a DUI, you can find more information about its installation and fees by visiting the CA DMV Ignition Interlock Devices page. Failing to comply with court requirements will mean that you cannot reinstate your suspended license after the suspension period is over.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California

The state of California does not have a universal system for searching for traffic ticket information online. Depending on the county you live in, you will likely be able to pay traffic fine costs online.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

Your driving record may not always contain the most recent information about a CA traffic ticket you received. If you need to address your traffic ticket immediately, then it is advisable that you visit the Court Clerk s office in the county where you were issued your citation. They will further be able to assist you with your ticket fee needs.

For more information: Your California Driving Record

Unfortunately for California residents, if you get a traffic ticket in another state, the California DMV will count that ticket on your driving record in California. As a result, the CA DMV will put points on your California drivers record for traffic convictions that you receive in other states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada-like members of the National Driver Register (NDR). One possible option is contacting a traffic attorney to fight the ticket. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

Not all traffic violations will result in points. Only the serious offenses, such as driving under the influence or speeding, will add points to your driving record in addition to the California traffic ticket fines. For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in California

Yes, alcohol awareness courses are required for all DUI convictions. Not enrolling will mean that you cannot reinstate your suspended drivers license. For more information: DUI/DWI Information for California