Retention of Driver Record Information

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 the California Vehicle Code (CVC) §§1807 and 1808.
If you need assistance, please contact your local DMV office.

Collisions

Collisions will be reported for 3 years from the collisions date.

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

Abstracts* of Conviction (*see Glossary)

Most violations designated as 2 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.* (*see Glossary)

Violations occurring in a commercial vehicle or by a commercial driver license holder which are the basis for an action under CVC §§ 15300a, 15300b, 15302, 15304, and 15306 will be reported for 55 years from the conviction date.* (* see Glossary)

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions will be reported for 10 years for noncommercial drivers on an out-of-house/public driving record (effective 1/1/07).

Commercial drivers violating out-of-service orders under CVC § 15311 will be reported for 10 years from the conviction date.*

Actions* Against Certificates or License Endorsements (* see Glossary)

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

Admin Per Se

Admin Per Se actions will be reported for 3 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. (* see Glossary)

Commercial driver license holders Admin Per Se actions will be reported for 55 years.

Civil Judgement Actions

Civil judgment actions will be reported for 3 years from the proof termination date* or reinstatement date,* whichever is earlier. (* see Glossary)

Commercial Disqualifications

Commercial disqualifications will be reported for the following CVC sections as follows:

  • CVC §§15306, 15308, and 15312-3 years from the date the action ended.
  • CVC § 15311-10 years from the conviction date.
  • CVC §§15300a, 15300b, 15302 and 15304-up to 55 years (lifetime) from the effective date.

DUI Actions

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

Commercial driver license holders DUI convictions will be reported for 55 years from the effective date.

FR Actions

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

FTAs* and FTPs* (* see Glossary)

FTAs for DUI offenses will be reported for 10 years from the violation date.* All other FTAs and FTPs (CVC §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 driver license will be reported for:

  • 3 years from proof termination date,* if proof is required.
  • 3 years from thru term date,* if proof is not required. (* see Glossary)

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:

  • 10 years from last contact if the action is still in effect.
  • 3 years from the termination date if the action has ended.

** Alcohol Related

Sealed, Dismissed, or FTA* Recall Abstracts  (* see Glossary)

  • Abstract sealed-Reported to insurance companies who have DMV requester codes. A driver may also request this information.
  • Conviction for noncommercial driver license holders based on traffic school attendance (CVC §§1803.5 and 1808.7) -Reports second conviction in 18-month period.
  • FTA Recall-Reports for 18 months from the dismissal date.

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 the DMV by a vehicle owner and/or driver.

Proof Termination Date: The date the action and the insurance filing (proof) ended
(CVC §16480(a)(2)).

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.