How to Order Your Massachusetts Driving Record
Massachusetts driving records are kept by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, who is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and issuance of a record to all residents with a valid driver’s license. Each licensed resident of the state has his or her entire driving past logged in a driving record, which you can learn more about below.
What is on my Massachusetts driving record?
Depending on the type of driving record and where you purchase it, your Massachusetts driving record may provide either a partial or complete outline of your personal MA driving history. If you order your driving record directly from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, it will contain:
- Past criminal violations.
- Driver’s license suspensions.
- Car accidents where the holder was more than 50 percent responsible.
- Civil driving infractions.
- Demerit points.
- DUI records.
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 Massachusetts driving record mean?
Personal MA driving records contain demerit points, which represent the number of driving violations you have been convicted of within the state. Depending on the type of infraction, you can receive between two and five surcharge points on your drivers record:
- Minor traffic violation: 2 points
- Minor accident where the driver is at fault: 3 points
- Major accident where the driver is at fault: 4 points
- Major traffic violation: 5 points
Massachusetts motor vehicle operators who accumulate three surchargeable events in 24 months (in any of the above categories) or three speeding citations in 12 months will receive a driver’s license suspension. Prevent these consequences by ordering a copy of your driving record today.
How do points against my Massachusetts license affect me?
Engaging in three or more surchargeable events in the span of 24 months on your MA motor vehicle report or incurring three speeding tickets in 12 months will result in the suspension of your Massachusetts driver’s license. Furthermore, because the state government determines auto insurance premiums in MA, having points on your personal driving history can immediately result in the increase of your coverage premiums or the cancellation of your policy.
In addition, because surcharge points represent unsafe driving behavior, you are more likely to be rejected for any commercial driving jobs that you apply for.
How do I remove drivers license points from my Massachusetts record?
To remove a single point from your Massachusetts drivers record, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You have been driving for a minimum of three years.
- You have three surchargeable offenses or less on your Massachusetts driving record in the last five years, since your insurance policy began.
- The last surchargeable event you have been charged with is more than three years old.
For every year that you meet these requirements, one demerit point will be removed from your personal MA driving history. To improve your driving skills and avoid surcharge points from being assigned to your driving record, enroll in a state-approved traffic school.
How long do points stay on my Massachusetts driving record?
Massachusetts driving history points will remain on your drivers record for a period of six years, also known as the policy experience period. The only way to remove points from your driving record beforehand is to meet the three requirements listed above.
Massachusetts DUI Records
Driving records obtained from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles contain resident DUI records. If you have been convicted of driving under the influence within the state, you may require your Massachusetts DUI criminal record to reinstate your driver’s license or to enroll in an alcohol education course.
How do I know if my Massachusetts driving license is suspended?
Determine your drivers license status by ordering your MA driving record today. Your Massachusetts personal driving history will state whether your license has been suspended or revoked, and for how long.
Previous Traffic Violations in Massachusetts
Your personal Massachusetts driving record contains a list of all of your previous traffic violations, both major and minor. Purchase a copy of your driving record today to verify the accuracy of all charges and to determine how close you may be to incurring a driver’s license suspension.
Why do I need a copy of my Massachusetts driving record?
DMV driving records can be used to secure affordable auto insurance premiums and commercial driving opportunities. Additionally, each drivers record from the Registry of Motor Vehicles contains all point totals and violations from the driver’s past. To learn more about the purposes a Massachusetts driving record serves, review the sections below.
Check for Points in Massachusetts
The surcharge or demerit point total is one of the most common reasons why resident drivers order driving records in Massachusetts. The accumulation of surcharge points can result in the suspension of your driver’s license and the increase of your car insurance premiums.
To prevent these consequences, check your driving record for the total number of points accumulated today, and adjust your driving practices to keep your driving privileges safe.
Applying for a Commercial Driver Position in Massachusetts
To improve your chances of getting employed as a commercial driver, you must clean your driving record before you apply. Driving companies only want to hire safe and responsible drivers. Therefore, if you have accumulated surcharge points through traffic violations or accidents, your application is more likely to be passed over.
Only by removing points and submitting an accurate RMV driving record can you improve your chances of being hired. Order a copy of your driving record today to verify that it is up to date.
Lower Massachusetts Car Insurance Premiums
Massachusetts driving history points, violations or accidents will result in higher auto insurance premiums for resident drivers. To avoid paying more for car insurance, you must submit a clean driving record to your insurance provider before you negotiate your premiums. Once all applicable points and errors are removed from your documentation, you can apply for lower auto insurance rates.
Take Massachusetts Traffic School to Prevent Points
While taking a defensive driving course in Massachusetts will improve your driving skills, enrolling in traffic school cannot remove points from your driving record. The only way to reduce your surcharge point total is to meet the following criteria:
- You have been driving for a minimum of three years.
- You have three surchargeable offenses or less on your Massachusetts DMV driving record in the last five years, since your insurance policy began.
- The last surchargeable event you have been charged with is more than three years old.
Why do employers check your Massachusetts driving record?
Employers order driving records to verify a potential employee’s accountability. Commercial vehicle companies only seek to hire the safest and most accountable drivers.
Thus, personal driving history points, violations or car accidents can help them rule out unsafe drivers who are more likely to cost them significant amounts of money in medical bills, lawsuits and repair costs.
How do I get my Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. This is usually the most cost-effective way to obtain your driving record.
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 Massachusetts Driving Records
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles provides two different kinds of driving records. Residents can purchase either of the options below, but only one can be used for official purposes.
Unattested Driving Record
The unattested RMV driving record is an uncertified copy of your driving history, which features all of your previous violations, surcharge points and driver’s license suspensions. This driving record can only be used for informational purposes.
True and Attested Driving Record
The true and attested DMV driving record is a certified version of your driving past and features all of your personal MA driving history data. Because this drivers record has the RMV’s official letterhead and a validation stamp, it may be employed for official purposes.
How do I fix a mistake on a Massachusetts drivers history report?
A single error on your Massachusetts driving history report can result in driver’s license suspension or higher insurance rates. Check your driving record on a regular basis to make sure information is accurate, and to avoid unwanted and unnecessary penalties. If you encounter an error, contact the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles immediately for corrective action.
What is not included on my Massachusetts driving record report?
In the event a potential employer or your auto insurance provider requires more information than your MA driving record can provide, obtain a copy of the following resources through DMV.com:
- Background checks
- VIN number checks
- DMV police report
Massachusetts Vehicle Registration History
If you require vehicle-related information in Massachusetts, order a copy of your vehicle registration history report along with your drivers record. Vehicle registration histories contain details about all of the vehicles you have owned or registered within the state. They can be used to prove vehicle ownership as well as registration if you are called upon to do so.
Driving Record Fees in Massachusetts
Driving records in Massachusetts cost $20.
Driving Record Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Requesting a driving record from Mass.gov