Hi daviddisco,
If there is anything of note on your driving record, the National
Driver Register (NDR) will have a record of it. In California,
traffic violations remain on your record for 3 or 7 years, depending
on whether they are major or minor offenses. To receive a copy of your
driving record, download and complete a copy of the "Individual
Request Form" (my second link), have it notorized and take it to your
local DMV in Seattle. The NDR will subsequently mail your driving
record to your address.
"The National Driver Register (NDR) is a central repository of
information on individuals whose privilege to drive has been revoked,
suspended, canceled or denied or who have been convicted of serious
traffic-related offenses. The records maintained at the NDR consist of
identification information including name, date of birth, gender,
driver license number, and reporting State. All of the substantive
information, the reason for the suspension or conviction and
associated dates, resides in the reporting State.
State driver licensing officials query the NDR to determine if an
individual's license or privilege has been withdrawn by any other
State. Other authorized users have access to NDR for transportation
safety purposes. All 50 States and the District of Columbia
participate in the NDR. The system is also referred to as the Problem
Driver Pointer System (PDPS)."
How to obtain Information from the National Driver Register
Who Is Legally Authorized To Receive Information From The NDR?
* Any individual under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
How Can I Find Out If I Am Listed In NDR?
"You are entitled, under the provisions of the Privacy Act, to request
a file search to see if you have a record on the NDR. You can download
the Individual Request Form, complete it, have it notarized, and mail
it to the NDR. Or, you can send a notarized letter requesting a file
check that includes the necessary information indicated on the
Individual Request Form. REQUESTS CANNOT BE FAXED. You can also take
the completed form to your local motor vehicle agency and, for a small
fee; they will send your request to NDR. In either case, NDR will send
a response directly to you."
National Driver Register
400 7th Street, SW., Room 6124A (NPO-124)
Washington, DC 20590-0001
(202) 366-4800
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/perform/driver/
Individual Request Form
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/perform/driver/pub/PRIVACY.PDF
Alternately, you can request a copy of your driving record from the
California DMV by mail.
Your California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver's license file contains:
Your name
Birth date
Home and mailing addresses
License number
Physical description
Social Security number
Failures to appear in court
Failures to pay traffic fines
License status (valid, revoked, suspended, expired)
Major traffic convictions for the past seven years
Minor traffic convictions for the past three years
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs11-pub.htm
How long does a violation stay on your driving record in California?
In California, most convictions of traffic offenses, such as hit and
run, reckless driving, and driving under the influence (DUI) will
remain on your record for 7 years from the violation date and count as
2 points.
Most other traffic offense convictions will remain on your record for
3 years from the violation date and count as 1 point. Accidents are
reported for 3 years from the accident date. If you are found to be at
fault, the accident normally counts as 1 point."
http://www.carinsurance.com/kb/content10776.aspx
"California driving records, also known as MVRs, are records that
provide a history of violations, suspensions, and other details about
a person's driving history. Information on obtaining California
driving records for personal use is available from the California DMV
website."
http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/driving-records.php
How to get a copy of my DMV record, my spouse's record or my child's record
"If going into a local field office is not convenient for you or you
are out of state, you may request your record by mail. Complete the
INF 1125 form available on this web site or prepare a written request,
including your name, date of birth, social security number, California
driver license number, and your signature, along with a check or money
order for $5, and mail to:"
Department of Motor Vehicles
Office of Information Services
Public Operations Unit G199
P. O. BOX 944247
Sacramento, California 94244-2470
Phone: 800-777-0133
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/genfaq.htm
Request for Own Driver License or Vehicle Registration Record (INF 1125)
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/inf/inf1125.htm
If I fail to pay my traffic citation . . .
"A civil assessment of $300.00 will be added to any traffic fine if
you fail to post bail on time or fail to appear for your scheduled
court date. On that date, all delinquent citations will be referred to
a Collection Agency.
California law permits the Court to impose a civil assessment of three
hundred dollars ($300) against any individual who fails, after notice
and without good cause, to appear in court for any proceeding, or who
fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the court. The
civil assessment is imposed in addition to, and separate from, any
fine connected with a traffic citation.
Even if you later contest your citation and win, you still will be
required to pay the civil assessment.
The Court has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Delinquent
Revenue ("BDR") to collect unpaid fines and civil assessments. If you
fail to appear or fail to pay your fine, the Court will refer your
matter to BDR for immediate collection. The Court and BDR will use a
number of methods to collect unpaid fees and the civil assessment.
These would include notice to the Department of Motor Vehicles to
suspend your driver license, the garnishment or attachment of your
wages along with other various collection devices."
http://www.sftc.org/browser_pages/Traffic/faq.htm#5
Additional Links of Interest:
DMV and Your Information
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/authority.htm
Driving Records
"Driving Records: Many clients utilize DMV services for the sole
purpose of identifying a prospective employee. A person trying to hide
his true identity might forge a document but he cannot alter state
records. DMV records can also provide insight of a person's ability to
be responsible, and may identify any alcohol or drug problems.
Obtained from the State where the license was issued. Most State
Departments of Motor Vehicles provide a driving history of three years
for minor citations/accidents and five years for major citations."
http://www.informationresources.com/dmv.htm
I hope this helps and the news is good. If you have any questions,
please post a clarification request and wait for me to respond before
closing/rating my answer.
Thank you,
hummer
Search strategy: I searched the California and Washington DMV websites
and also searched Google with the terms: ca "driving record" unpaid
fines wa traffic tickets |
