Retention of Driver Record Information Reported Information and Reporting Periods

Introduction

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has modified the reporting period of certain driver record information in an effort to provide the same public record information to all entitled requesters.

DMV’s statutory authority for retaining and reporting driver record information is in Vehicle Code (VC) §§1807 and 1808.

If you need assistance, please contact your local DMV office.

Accidents

Accidents will be reported for 3 years from the accident date. If an accident was reported by law enforcement and the record contains a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials indicator, the accident will be reported for 10 years from the accident date.

Abstracts of Conviction

Most violations designated as two points will be reported for 10 years from the violation date. All other convictions of traffic violations will be reported for 3 years from violation date.

Violations occurring in a commercial vehicle which are the basis for an action under VC §§ 15300a, 15300b, 15302, 15304, and 15306 will be reported for 55 years from the conviction date.* Driving Under the Infl uence (DUI) convictions will be reported for ten years on an out-of-house/public driving record. (Effective 1/1/07)

Actions* Against Certificates or License Endorsements

Actions against certificates or endorsements will be reported from 1 to 12 years. The reason for taking the action will determine the length of reporting.

Admin Per Se

Admin Per Se actions will report for three years from the reinstatement date*, through date*, act-term date, or term date whichever is earliest. If the dates above are not present, the action reports for 10 years from last contact.

Civil Judgment Actions

Civil judgment actions will report for 3 years from the proof termination date* or the reinstatement date*, whichever is earlier.

Commercial Disqualifications

Commercial disqualifications for the following Vehicle Code Sections will be reported up to 3 years from termination date or lifetime (55 years).

• VC §§15300a, 15300b, 15306, 15308, and 15311 will be reported for three years from the date the action is ended.
• VC §§15302 and 15304 will be reported up to 55 years (lifetime) from the effective date.
  

DUI Actions

An action taken against your driving privilege because of a Driving Under the Infl uence (DUI) conviction will be reported for 3 years from the proof termination date, thru date, action termination date, or the reinstatement date, whichever is earlier.

FR Actions

An action taken against your driving privilege because you failed to provide proof* of fi nancial responsibility (FR) will be reported for 3 years from the proof termination date or the reinstatement date, whichever is earlier.

FTAs and FTPs

FTAs for DUI offenses will be reported for 10 years from the violation date. All other FTAs and FTPs (VC §12808c) will be reported for 5 years from the violation date.

Negligent Operator/Provisional Licensing Actions

Actions taken against your driving privilege because you are considered a negligent operator or while you hold a provisional license will be reported for three years from the:

• 3 years from proof termination date, if proof is required.
• 3 years from thru term date*, if no proof is required.
  

Physical or Mental Actions**

An action taken against your driving privilege because of a physical or mental condition will be reported for the following periods:

• If the action is still in effect, it will be reported for 10 years from last contact.
• If the action has been ended, it will be reported for three years from the termination date.

Sealed, Dismissed, or FTA* Recall Abstracts

• Abstract sealed—Reported to insurance companies who have DMV requester codes. A driver may also request this information.
• Dismissal based on traffi c school attendance (VC §§1803.5 and 1808.7) —Reports second dismissal in 18-month period.
• FTA Recall—Reports for 18 months from the dismissal date.

* See Glossary on back panel.
** Alcohol Related

Glossary of Terms

Abstract: Court document.

Action: Having your driving privilege, certificate, or endorsement cancelled, suspended, revoked, or restricted.

Conviction Date: The date the court gave a ruling on the case, as reflected on the abstract of conviction.

FTA: Failure to appear in court as promised.

FTP: Failure to pay fine.

Proof: Refers to proof of insurance filed with DMV by an owner and/or driver.

Proof Termination Date: The date the action and the insurance filing (proof) are ended.
(VC §16480a2)

Reinstatement Date: The date the driving privilege is returned to its former status.

Through (Thru) Term Date: The date the action period is over.

Violation Date: The date the violation occurred, as reflected on the FTA, FTP, or abstract of conviction.

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