Guide to driving records

It's a history of violations, convictions, collisions, and actions received by a driver over a period of time. The record is called an Abstract of Driving Record (ADR) or driving record.

Types of driving records available:

• Used for legal representation, driver review, and school districts

• The person named on the driving record
• Attorney for represented individual
• Law and justice agencies
• Governmental agencies and their agents
• School districts

• Convictions
• Violations
• Collisions
• Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
• Deferred prosecutions
• Failures to appear (FTA)
• Employer Declaration Exemption

• Used to create and renew commercial, noncommercial motor vehicle insurance, and life insurance policies

• The person named on the driving record
• Insurance companies and their agents

• Convictions
• Violations
• Collisions
• Failures to appear (FTA)

• 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
• Volunteer organizations
• Transit authorities

• Convictions
• Violations
• Collisions
• Suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
• Deferred prosecutions
• Failures to appear (FTA)
• Employer Declaration Exemption

• Used for referrals to drug and alcohol treatment facilities

• The person named on the driving record
• Alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agencies

*These records don't show violations and collisions for law enforcement officers, firefighters, tow trucks 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 through License eXpress: You can print a copy within 24 hours.
• By mail: Fill out and mail in a Driving Record Request (English, Español, Русский, and more) form. Please allow 10–14 days.

Can employers or insurance companies tell anyone what's on my driving record?

No. Driving records are confidential 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.

What information does a driving record show?

• Non-commercial vehicles: 5 years from collision date
• Commercial vehicles: 10 years from collision date

Will my record show the original date my WA driver license was issued?

Only if your first license was issued after May 1, 1964. If it was issued before May 1, 1964, you may call us at 360.902.3900 (TTY: call 711) to request a status letter showing the original issue date.

What Washington State laws apply to driving records?

• RCW 46.52.130: Abstract of driving record—Access—Fees—Penalty
• RCW 10.05.060: Procedure upon approval of plan
• RCW 10.05.090: Procedure upon breach of treatment plan
• RCW 46.25.010(6): Definitions
• RCW 46.04.140: Definition of commercial vehicle
• RCW 46.01.260: Destruction of records by director