Commercial Requester Information Handbook

The Commercial Requester Information Handbook contains useful information about what qualifies as a legitimate business need, requirements, account audits, fees and billing, frequently asked questions, and more.

Record Requests, Fees, and Billing

With a Commercial Requester Account, you can access records and information through these methods:

• Online: Provides instant access. Requires a network connection. Complete section F of the application for online access (see below). Not available for intermediate/second tier use.
  
  Through a DMV-Approved Service Provider
  
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) via Secure File Transfer (SFT): This is a batch (overnight) process.
  
  Through a DMV-Approved Service Provider
  
• Paper/Hardcopy: This is a manual process that requires approximately 7-14 business days.

Fees

Here are the fees for record requests:

• Electronic records (driver license or vehicle registration): $2 each
• Driver license and vehicle registration records: $5 each
• Copies of microfilmed records or photos:
  • Driver license: $20 for each copy
  • Vehicle registration: $20 for each year
  • Requests for large volumes or bulk requests: $100 per thousand records, in addition to computer run time and programming.

Billing

We will send you an invoice when your bill reaches $6, or every three months. 

• Payment is due upon receipt of invoice.
• Indicate your account number on the check or money order and make all checks or money orders payable to DMV.
  To avoid processing delays, detach the remittance slip from the invoice statement and submit original remittance with check or money order to the DMV address shown on the invoice. You must return the bottom portion or stub of the original invoice, not a photocopy.

Commercial Requester Account Management

How to Apply

To apply for an account, complete and submit:

• Commercial Requester Account Application (INF 1106).
• Application fee (nonrefundable):
  • $50 for accounts not requesting access to confidential residence address information.
  • $250 for accounts requesting access to confidential residence address information (also requires Surety Bond).
• Commercial Requester Account Bond (INF 1132) for $50,000 if you will be requesting access to confidential residence address information.
• Branch Location Requester Code(s) Application (INF 1106BL) if you are requesting additional requester code(s) for branch locations.
• Certification of Agency (INF 1184) if you are a dealer agent (i.e. registration service) or manufacturer agent. 

Mail your application and supporting documents to the address on the INF 1106 form.

You also need to keep the following forms on file:

• Information Security Statement (INF 1128). Any individual who will have access to DMV records (whether inside or outside your organization) must complete and sign an INF 1128. 
• Commercial Requester Account Terms and Conditions (INF 1230).

Additional instructions can be found in the Commercial Requester Account Instructions and Forms Packet (INF 1133).

How to Renew

You must renew your account every two years. To renew your account, complete and submit:

• INF 1106 form.
• Renewal fee (nonrefundable):
  • $50 for accounts not requesting access to confidential residence address information.
  • $250 for accounts requesting access to confidential residence address information (also requires Surety Bond).
• Commercial Requester Account Renewal Notice (sent by DMV about 90 days before account expires). 

Mail your renewal application and supporting documents to the address on the INF 1106 form.

How to Modify

You must notify DMV of any changes to your account within 10 business days of the change. To modify your account, complete and submit:

• INF 1106.
• INF 1106BL if you are requesting additional requester code(s) for branch locations.

Mail your  application and supporting documents to the address on the INF 1106 form.

There is no fee for changing a contact person, address, phone number, proposed use, etc. An ownership change will require a new application and fee.

Service Provider Accounts

How to Apply

Any vendor or agent requesting DMV records on behalf of a business needs a service provider account. To apply, complete and submit:

• Commercial Requester Account Application – Service Provider (INF 1106V).
• Application fee:
  • $250 (if your application is denied, $50 of the application fee will be kept to cover processing costs). 
• Agent Authorization (INF 03) if you will be acting as an agent.
• Commercial Requester Account Bond (INF 1132) for $50,000 if you will be requesting access to confidential residence address information.

Mail your application and supporting documents to the address on form the INF 1106V form.

You also need to keep the following forms on file:

• Information Security Statement (INF 1128). Any individual who will have access to DMV records (whether inside or outside your organization) must complete and sign an INF 1128.
• Commercial Requester Account Terms and Conditions (INF 1230).

Additional instructions can be found in the Commercial Requester Account Application Instructions – Service Provider (INF 1133V).

How to Renew

You need to renew your account every two years. To renew your account, complete and submit:

• INF 1106V.
• Application fee:
  • $250 (if your application is denied, $50 of the application fee will be kept to cover processing costs).
• Commercial Requester Account Renewal Notice (sent by DMV about 90 days before account expires).

Mail your renewal application and supporting documents to the address on the INF 1106V form.

How to Modify

You must notify DMV of any changes to your account within 10 business days of the change. To modify your account, complete and submit:

• INF 1106V.

Mail your application and supporting documents to the address on the INF 1106V form.

There is no fee for changing a contact person, address, phone number, proposed use, etc. An ownership change will require a new application and fee.

Security Requirements

Individuals and businesses enrolled in the Commercial Requester Account Program must follow our security requirements. Enrolled entities must:

• Maintain the security and integrity of the information they receive. A violation of any provision(s) of the agreement, whether by omission or commission, will be grounds for action by DMV and may result in suspension or termination of service.
• Ensure compliance with all the security provisions of this agreement. If fraud or abuse is suspected or confirmed, you must notify DMV’s Information Services Branch, Policy and Information Privacy Section at (916) 657-5583 within 1 business day. You must also prepare a written notification containing all facts and mail it to DMV within three business days:
  
  Department of Motor Vehicles
  Information Services Branch
  Policy and Information Privacy Section MS H225
  PO Box 942890
  Sacramento, CA 94290-0890
  
• Require every employee (including the system administrator) having direct or incidental access to DMV records to sign a copy of the Information Security Statement (INF 1128). The INF 1128 is required upon initial authorization for access to DMV records and annually thereafter. A copy of these signed INF 1128 forms must be kept on file at the agency for at least two years following the deactivation or termination of authorization and must be available to DMV on demand.
• Restrict the use and knowledge of requester codes and operational manuals to employees who have signed an INF 1128.
• Maintain a current list of names of employees authorized to access DMV records. This list must be available to DMV on demand.
• Not leave access terminals and modems unattended while in active session, unless these devices are secured by a locking device that prevents entry or receipt of information or are placed in a locked room that is not accessible to unauthorized persons.
• Place video terminals, printers, hardcopy printouts, and any other form of DMV approved records that are located in public access areas so that the records cannot be viewed by the public or other unauthorized persons.
• Destroy all information received from DMV’s files once its legitimate use has ended. The method of destruction must be effective for the type of record requested and done in a manner so that the record cannot be reproduced or identified in any physical or electronic form.
• Not disclose its DMV assigned requester code, either orally or in writing, to anyone who is not an employee and has not signed the INF 1128 (other than a DMV approved service provider (vendor or agent).
• Not sell, retain, distribute, provide, or transfer any record information or portion of the record information acquired under this agreement, except as authorized by DMV.

Tracking Records and Information Requests

Keep track of your requests with the Information Requester Log (INF 2115). Keep the log in a secure location for two years from the date of your last request.

Frequently Asked Questions