Information Requests
Obtaining Information from DMV Records
Available Information
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains information on over 34 million vehicles and vessels (VR), 24.5 million driver licenses (DL) and identification (ID) cards, and over 437,000 occupational licensing records. Except for confidential information (certain DMV personnel matters, physical/mental information, residence address, Social Security Number (SSN), incomplete findings from research, results of ongoing investigations, operation plans, and electronic data security controls), the information contained in these records is considered public record.
NOTE: Your residence address and SSN are confidential except when the requester is authorized by law to receive it.
Services and Fees
The public record information is available from DMV’s database for a fee, which must be prepaid and submitted with the appropriate form. Many different DMV areas supply information, so it is important to submit your request to the correct place.
Online Forms: In this Fast Facts brochure, a "" identifies request forms that can be printed from the Forms section of DMV’s website, www.dmv.ca.gov.
Mail From Requests: To request up to 15 copies of any DMV form, call or write the DMV Information Release Unit. For large quantities of forms, write to DMV Materials Management Unit. Refer to the inside of this Fast Facts for addresses. Please open this pamphlet to see the variety of information and how it is available.
Local DMV Processing:Your local DMV will only process requested DL/ID and VR printouts for:
- The subject of record (you).
- Your spouse and/or your minor child, but only if your address and the address of the spouse and/or minor child is the same as yours and on file with DMV.
- A lien sale.
- Vehicle dealers and dismantlers.
DMV Headquarters Processing: DMV Headquarters processes all other requests.
NOTE: The fees listed in this Fast Facts are subject to change without notice and will not be refunded. The fee is based on the cost of searching departmental records—not whether a record is located.
Statement of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700)
To request a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) for a DMV official, please visit, write, call, or fax the DMV Human Resources Branch, Administrative Support Unit at:
DMV Human Resources Branch, G-208
ATTN: COI Coordinator
2570 24th Street, 1st Floor
P.O. Box 932315
Sacramento, CA 94232-3150
(916) 657-7541
(916) 657-6733 (fax)
The fee to obtain a copy of the Statement of Economic Interests is $0.10 per page. A $5 retrieval fee will be charged for a copy of a Statement of Economic Interests that is five or more years old.
Public Records Act and/or Information Practices Act Requests
To make a Public Records Act request (Government Code §6250) and/or an Information Practices Act request (Civil Code §1798 et seq.) for documents other than those documents accessible from the procedures noted so far in this brochure, please write, call, or fax the DMV Legal Affairs Division at:
DMV Legal Affairs Division, C-128
2415 1st Avenue
P.O. Box 932382
Sacramento, CA 94232-3820
(916) 657-6469
(916) 657-6243 (fax)
Requests for inspection or copying of public records should sufficiently describe the records so that they can be identified, located, and retrieved by DMV personnel.
The fees for documents not listed in this Fast Facts are at least the actual costs based on the hourly salary rate of each employee(s) involved, multiplied by the time to locate, review and mask confidential information (if needed), program any computer software (if needed), copy, and mail the requested documents, plus a $0.20 per page photocopy charge.
Except for documents or portions of documents that are by law confidential and exempt from disclosure, DMV documents are open to the public. If you are a party to a lawsuit, you or your attorney may consider serving a subpoena at the Legal Affairs Division to obtain documents.
Who To Contact
Driver License (DL)/Identification (ID) Card or Vehicle Registration
Submit your request on the appropriate form. Forms available online are identified by " " For the following forms (up to 15 copies each), call (916) 657-8098 or write:
DMV Information Release Unit,
M/S G199,
P.O. Box 944247,
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470.
For large quantities of forms, write to:
DMV Materials Management Unit,
4201 Sierra Point Drive, #112,
Sacramento, CA 95834-1998.
Attorney’s Information Request Motor Vehicle/Vessel Related Incidents (INF 1161)
Dealer/Dismantler Vehicle/Vessel Registration Information Request (INF 1120)
Request for (DL/ID) Record Information (INF 70)
Request for Your Own DL/ID or VR Information Record Request (INF 1125)
VR Registration Information Request for Lien Sale (INF 1126)
| Request is for: | The fees are: |
|---|---|
| Current DL/ID or VR record (printout) | $5.00 |
| DL/ID Guarantor’s Signature Search (photocopy) per year | 20.00 |
| DL/ID Photo Application per year | 20.00 |
| VR owner “as of date” (printout) | 5.00 |
| VR history (printout) | 5.00 |
| VR history (photocopy) per year | 20.00 |
| VR records matched by individual/business name/address: | |
| •Single record (printout) or list (8 maximum) | 5.00 |
| •Bulk fees per record | 0.10 |
Driver Safety Hearing Transcripts (Administrative Records and Transcripts)
Submit requests in writing, along with the nonrefundable deposit fee, to the Driver Safety Office that conducted the hearing or to:
DMV Litigation Services Unit M/S J256
P.O. Box 187010
Sacramento, CA 95818-7010.
The phone number is (916) 657-8431.
| Request | Fee |
|---|---|
| Nonrefundable deposit (per transcript request) | $115.00 |
| Tape transaction (per page) | 5.00 |
| Exhibit copy (per side)* | 0.10 |
| Micrographic copy (per page)* | 0.20 |
| CD/tape copy (per CD/tape) | 6.00 |
| Certification (transcription/exhibit/administrative record) | 12.00 |
| Procedures governing Driver Safety hearings** | 26.00 |
| *Plus clerical fee (per quarter hour) | 6.00 |
** Also available free via www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/driversafety/dsadminhearing.htm
Financial Responsibility
You must state your interest and involvement in the accident before DMV will release the information (VC §16005). Submit your request using the Financial Responsibility Record Request (SR 19C) form that may be obtained from and mailed to:
DMV Financial Responsibility Unit M/S J23
P.O. Box 942884, Sacramento
CA 94284-0001.
The phone number is (916) 657-6677.
| Request is for: | The fees are: |
|---|---|
| Requests for insurance information from file (SR 19C) (if requested, includes certification) | $20.00 |
| Photocopy of California Traffic Accident Report (SR 1) (if requested, includes certification) | 20.00 |
| Uninsured Motorist Certification (SR 19) | 20.00 |
Occupational Licensing (Information on Car Dealers, Salespersons, Dismantlers, Driving Schools, Registration Services, and Vehicle Verifiers)
Submit requests in writing to:
DMV Occupational Licensing Unit, M/S L224
P.O. Box 932342,
Sacramento, CA 94232-3420.
The phone number is (916) 229-3151.
| Request is for: | The fees are: |
|---|---|
| License information | $5.00 |
| Photocopies (if requested, includes certification) per year | 20.00 |
Traffic Violator School
Submit requests in writing to:
DMV Traffic Violator School M/S L224
P.O. Box 932342
Sacramento, CA
94232-3420.
The phone number is (916) 229-3151.
| Request is for: | The fees are: |
|---|---|
| Traffic Violators Schools Owner's List | $5.00 |
| Searches*** | 20.00 |
***includes photocopies (up to 10 pages) and, if requested, certification.
National Driver Register (NDR) Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)
Employers or employees submit your request using the Requests for a Check of the National Driver (INF 1301A) and mail to:
DMV Public Operations M/S G199
P.O. Box 944247
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470.
The fee is $5.00.
(INF 1301A) and mail to:
DMV Public Operations M/S G199
P.O. Box 944247
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470.
The fees are:$5.00
Individuals requesting a check of the NDR PDPS must submit written requests directly to:
NDR
Nassif Building
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20590.
For your convenience, these forms are available at our website at www.dmv.ca.gov