Frequently asked questions: Driving records

What is a driving record?

It’s a history of violations, convictions, collisions, and departmental actions incurred by a driver over a period of time. It may not include the license original issue date. A copy of the record is referred to as an Abstract of Driving Record (ADR).

What types of driving records are available?

Type of record Who can get a copy What the record includes
Complete record
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Attorneys
  • Law and justice agencies
  • Governmental agencies
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
  • Deferred prosecutions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
3-year noncommercial insurance abstract*
Used to create and renew noncommercial motor vehicle insurance policies.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Insurance companies and their agents
 The past 3 years’ noncommercial driving:
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
3-year commercial insurance abstract*
Used to create and renew commercial motor vehicle insurance policies.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Insurance companies and their agents
 The past 3 years’ commercial driving:
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
3-year life insurance abstract*
Used to create and renew life insurance policies.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Insurance companies and their agents
 The past 3 years’ commercial and noncommercial driving:
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
Employment record
Used to determine if a driver should be employed.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Employers and their agents
  • Prospective employers and their agents
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
  • Deferred prosecutions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
Volunteer vanpool driver record
Used to determine if a volunteer driver meets the insurance and risk management requirements to drive a vanpool vehicle.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Employees or agents of a transit authority
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
  • Deferred prosecutions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
Volunteer for organization driver record
Used to determine if a volunteer meets the criteria to drive a vehicle for the organization.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • Volunteer organizations
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
  • Deferred prosecutions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)
School bus driver record
Used to determine if a person should be employed to operate a school bus.
  • The person named on the driving record
  • School districts
  • Convictions
  • Violations
  • Collisions
  • Suspensions, revocations, or disqualifications
  • Deferred prosecutions
  • Failures to appear (FTA)

*These records don’t show violations and collisions for law enforcement officers, firefighters, or Washington State Patrol officers that occurred while on duty, driving official vehicles.

How long will it take to get a copy of a driving record?

  • Online: You can print a copy immediately or email it to yourself from License eXpress. (Email option is only available through a License eXpress account)
  • By mail: Please allow 10–14 days.

Can employers or insurance companies tell anyone else about information on my driving record?

Driving records are confidential documents in the state of Washington, and are provided only to those authorized by law. Insurance companies, employers, transit authorities, volunteer organizations, and school districts who get a copy of your driving record may not reveal your information to a third party.

Will my Abstract of Driving Record show the original date my Washington State driver license was issued?

Yes, if your first license was issued after May 1, 1964. If your first original Washington State license was issued before May 1, 1964, you may request a status letter showing the original date your driver license was issued. To request a status letter, email us at exams@dol.wa.gov.

What information is kept on a driving record and for how long?

Type of information kept How long kept
Convictions and violations—Most convictions, forfeitures of bail, or court findings stating an infraction was committed 5 years from conviction or adjudication date
Alcohol-related convictions Life (99 years)
Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide convictions Life (99 years)
Commercial motor vehicle convictions, forfeitures of bail, or court findings that an infraction was committed 55 years from conviction or adjudication date
Deferred Prosecutions Life (99 years)
Failure to appear or respond to a traffic citation or notice of infraction (FTA) Until the FTA is resolved, or 10 years from the date the court notifies us about it, whichever is earlier

(Note: The court may resubmit an unresolved FTA after the 10-year period. When the FTA is resolved, only the original ticket remains on the driving record.)
Collisions—Shows involvement, not fault, number of vehicles involved, whether they were legally parked or moving, whether the vehicles were occupied at the time of the collision, and whether the collision resulted in any injury or fatality
  • Non-commercial vehicles: 5 years from collision date
  • Commercial vehicles: 10 years from collision date
Departmental actions, such as suspensions, revocations, or disqualifications 5 years from final release date

What Washington State laws apply to driving records?

Access Washington