How To Access Your Driving Record In Every State CA-CT

We explained the basics of what your driving record is in our first post in this series, but if you were just looking for your state and skipped it, here’s the breakdown. Our driving record, as drivers, is our public account of all the various aspects of our driving history. From basic information to violations, our driving record is everything we (or anyone who needs to access it, such as potential employers or the police department) need to know about ourselves as drivers and has the power to impact our insurance costs and whether or not we get to keep our license.

While some of us may already know how to access our driving records, we realize that not everyone does, and we want to make it a little easier on you. After all, keeping an eye on your driving record helps you to be sure all information is accurate and helps you keep up with how you’re doing as a driver. If you’ve found this post, but live in one of the ‘A’ states, you can find the AL-AR post here.

California

The state of California offers two types of driving records that you can order, and because of the way the points system works, they also hold different information depending on how long the points last on your record.

  • Unofficial: This copy can be ordered online.
  • Official: This copy can be ordered in person or by mail.

Most offenses in CA stay on your record for 3 or 10 years, and are categorized as follows:

  • 3 years: All convictions worth 1 point (these include minor traffic violations or faulty equipment), car accidents (remain on your record for 3 years from the date of the accident), and license suspension and revocation.
  • 10 years: All convictions worth 2 points (these include reckless driving and DUIs) and DUI failure to appear offenses. All other failures to appear or failure to pay offenses will remain on your record for 5 years.

To order your driving record online (keep in mind this will provide you with the “unofficial” version of your driving record), you will need to visit CA’s Driver Record Request page, provide the information needed, and pay any applicable fees. Be aware that you must also be a certified user to access this information, so you will need to register before you can do anything else. 

Before you start with your driver record request, get the following ready:

  • A printer (you will only have one chance to print your record after payment; online requests are only for viewing and printing)
  • $2 fee (and an additional 2.1% service fee for payments via debit and credit card)
  • An online account

To order it in person, you will need to go to your local DMV, complete the “Request for Own Driver License Information/Identification Card (DL/ID)” or Form INF 1125, show them your ID, and pay the fee. The fee for requesting a driver record in person or via mail is $5. 

Finally, to order by mail, you will need to complete the same form (INF 1125), or complete a written request that will need to include your:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • SSN
  • CA Driver’s license number
  • Signature

You will also need to mail in a check or money order for the fee, and mail in both documents to:

Department of Motor Vehicles

Information Services Branch

Information Release Unit G199

PO Box 944247

Sacramento, CA 94244

Colorado

In the state of Colorado, you have two types of driving records available to you to order:

  • Non-certified
  • Certified

Either of these will show your complete driving history for the last 7 years, and you can not order one for a period of less than that. These records can be ordered by mail, in person, and online. To order by mail or in person, you will need to provide the following:

  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number
  • Signature
  • A photocopy of your photo ID with signature
  • Payment of applicable fees

If you just want your non-certified record, you will need to take those documents to any CO DMV licensing office, and to get your certified record, you will need to take or mail your documents to the following address, and your record will be mailed to you.

Division of Motor Vehicles

1881 Pierce Street

Lakewood, CO 80214

To request your driving record online, simply go to the CO Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles website, and follow the instructions, select the request type, and verify your identity. It will take you about five to 10 minutes to complete your request. You will need to provide the following information:

  • CO Customer Identifier/DL #
  • Last Name
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of SSN or ITIN

Connecticut

The state of Connecticut offers certified driving records that you can order both by mail, in person, or online. These records include information about your traffic violations, convictions, and driving record points, and can be ordered not only by you but also by:

  • Government agencies and courts to conduct official business and civil or criminal proceedings
  • Employers and businesses to verify information during background checks, especially if you will be driving as part of your position
  • Insurance agencies to determine your rates, as well as when investigating claims
  • Other individuals who have been given written consent by you.

To order your driving record both by mail, you will need to complete the Copy Records Request Form (Form J-23) by checking the Driving History request under License Records, identifying and specifying the right code on the back of the form, and completing section 1 and signing/dating the application. You will also need to include a check payable to “DMV” for the applicable fee, as well as submitting a copy of a valid photo ID (this can be your driver’s license, a non-driver ID card, or your passport). You will then need to mail it all to:

Department of Motor Vehicles

Copy Records Unit

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT 06161

To order your driving record in person, you will need to visit your local CT DMV office. There you will complete the same form (J-23), provide a valid photo ID, and pay the applicable fee.

You can also access your driving history online through the CT DMV website. You will need to have the following ready:

  • First and last name as reflected in your current driver’s license
  • Date of birth
  • Street address
  • Driver’s license number
  • Social Security number
  • Debit or credit card

Once you have entered all the required information, you will be able to download and print the file. It will also be accessible online for 30 days at no additional fee. 

The fee to request a driving history by mail, in person, or online is $20. 

How to Avoid Points in Your Driving Record

Now that you have checked your driving record, you will want to avoid more points from adding up that may cause your car insurance rates to increase. An effective way to do this is by attending a traffic school. You will need to confirm with your local DMV, but in most cases, they will agree to dismiss traffic tickets with traffic schools. 

Below are the top online traffic schools that you may want to check out:

iDriveSafely

iDriveSafely very well knows that students who attend traffic school don’t want to have to spend any more time studying than they need to. Because of this, the school created courses that meet most states’ required minimum. Its courses are considered the fastest and easiest to complete, without skimping on important information. 

Note: though they offer courses in Connecticut, it isn’t state-approved. You have to ask special permission from your court handler or insurance provider if you can take their courses. 

MyImprov

The experts at Improv Comedy Club know that most people dread going to traffic school, so they created high-quality traffic school programs that will make learning driver safety fun. MyImprov courses are filled with slapstick humor, jokes, and memes that will keep you from getting bored. Of course, they don’t skimp on important information, as well. 

Note: though they offer courses in Colorado and Connecticut, it isn’t state-approved. You have to ask special permission from your court handler or insurance provider if you can take their courses.

Aceable

Aceable is the rookie in the traffic school business, yet it is already considered one of the best in the country. It has one of the most advanced platforms in the industry and the most modern and up-to-date courses. It even has its own mobile app!

Note: Aceable only offers its course in California. 

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