Department of Motor Vehicles

A printed copy of your driving record is called an Abstract of Driving Record.       

Your driving record abstract will display only information defined as public records in the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. 

• Most suspensions and revocations are only displayed on the driving record abstract for 4 years from the date the suspension or revocation ended. Suspensions for a chemical test refusal are displayed for 5 years from the date of suspension. 
• Accidents and most traffic convictions are only displayed until the end of the year in which the accident or conviction occurred, plus 3 additional years.
• Convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DWI) are displayed for 15 years from the date of conviction.  Convictions for DWAI are displayed for 10 years from the date of conviction.
• Some serious violations, such as vehicular homicide, may be displayed permanently.

What other information appears on a driving record abstract?

Each driving record abstract contains information grouped within several sections. See Description of Abstract of Driving Record (DS-242.1) for information on how to read and understand a driving record abstract.

Header 1

The "Header" section includes the individual's 2

• name
• mailing address (City, State, ZIP Code)
• mailing county
• DMV ID Number (Client ID Number) from your NYS driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card
• motorist ID
• date of birth
• sex
• height
• eye color

Summary 3

The "Summary" section includes

• license class
• license status
• license expiration date
• a suspension and revocation summary
• any restrictions and/or endorsements that limit or expand the driving privilege 4

Activity

The "Activity" section includes

• driver license related course completion
• Commercial Driver License (CDL) history
• license reciprocity information
• various other license related notes

Suspensions and Revocations

The "Suspensions and Revocations" section shows scofflaws and non-scofflaws and for both includes

• the reason for the suspension or revocation
• the date the suspension or revocation took effect
• the order number
• the clear on date and reason for clearance, if cleared
• complied on date for non-scofflaws
• location and county of the court where the scofflaws were settled as well as any judgment amount

Nonvehicular Convictions

The “Non-Vehicular Convictions” section includes:

• The type of violation the diver was convicted of
• The date of the violation
• The date of the conviction
• The location where the violation occurred
• The amount of the fine and any jail time incurred

Convictions and Bail Forfeitures

The "Convictions and Bail Forfeitures" section includes

• the type of violation the driver was convicted of
• the date of the violation
• the date of the conviction
• the location where the violation occurred
• the amount of the fine and any points incurred

Accidents

The "Accidents" section includes 5

• the date of the accident
• whether there was a fatality, personal injury, and/or property damage
• the county where the accident occurred
• the case number

What if the information on my abstract is wrong?

If you suspect that your DMV abstract contains incorrect information, contact the DMV Call Center.