To request a Maryland MVR (motor vehicle record
), use the Motor Vehicle Administration’s online portal or fill out a form to request by mail or in person. Keeping track of your driving record can help you avoid rate hikes from insurance companies. Whether you’re trying to screen job applicants or just trying to manage your own files, it’s easy to get a copy of your Maryland driving record. We’ll walk you through the process and explain the Maryland driving record points system.
How to get your motor vehicle record (MVR) in Maryland
Any Maryland driver can request their motor vehicle record (MVR) from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Here’s how.
To request your MVR online, use the MVA’s online portal
. Be prepared to provide your driver’s license number so that you can look up the right information, and to pay the required fees using a credit card, Apple Pay, or electronic check. Your record will be sent to the mailing address listed on your MVA account. If you’re not able to request your record online (or just prefer to do things the analogy way), you can also fill out a Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records (DR-057)
and file it in person at your local MVA branch
or via mail. If you choose to send the request form by mail, you’ll need to include a money order or a check with your driver’s license number and phone number. To request a copy of your driving record by mail, send the form to:
How to request someone else’s MVR in Maryland
If you need to check up on someone else’s driving record—a job applicant or customer, for instance—you can request their record through the MVA if you have one of the following:
A signed authorization letter from the driver or vehicle owner
Power of attorney specifically naming the requestor
An employment or credit application from the requestor
A subpoena or court order
A request letter on the letterhead of an authorized Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) entity
Under Maryland state law, driving records are closed to the public except for hospitals, insurance companies, police, or official business purposes, such as employment screening for drivers with CDLs. Without written permission from the driver, only those groups can obtain personal identifying information such as your date of birth and Social Security number in connection with your Maryland MVR.
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Maryland MVR fees
When requesting a Maryland MVR, you can request either a certified or non-certified copy, depending on your needs. For a certified copy, the fee is $12. For a non-certified copy, the fee is just $9.
What is an MVR?
In Maryland, “MVR” stands for motor vehicle report. Rather than referring to one specific document, this actually includes a number of records containing information from the MVA database. A Maryland MVR report can relate to either a specific driver or a specific car.
You can request three different types of Maryland driving report:
3-year driving record: Contains information on your driver record for the past three years, including license status and moving violations
Complete driving record: Includes all information in the MVA database from the time your license was issued
PBJ driving record: Includes driving history along with any Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) issuances, which are common in repeat DUI offenses
In addition to these records, which provide information about a specific driver, you can also request what’s called a vehicle registration record, which gathers information about your vehicle itself.
Maryland MVR points schedule
Like other states, the State of Maryland assigns points to various traffic violations.
| Cell phone use resulting in injury or death; motor vehicle theft/unauthorized use; false affidavits under oath; fleeing from a police officer; driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or DWI; homicide or life-threatening injury with a vehicle; driving with a suspended or revoked license; failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death; any felony when using a motor vehicle |
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| Turning off vehicle lights to avoid identification; failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in property damage |
| |
| Driving with suspended registration and license; excessive speeding (30 mph or more over the posted limit); aggressive driving; highway racing |
| Any violation contributing to an accident |
| Failure to stop at a red light; pedestrian violations; following too closely; inappropriately passing a police car or ambulance; speeding (10 mph or more over the posted limit) |
| Any violation not otherwise specified |
If you rack up a certain number of points on your Maryland driving record, you’ll face the following consequences:
3 to 4 points: warning letter from the MVA
5 to 7 points: possible Driver Improvement Program (DIP)
enrollment 8 to 11 points: notice of license suspension
12 or more points: notice of license revocation
Under certain circumstances, you can file a request for expungement of your Maryland driving record if you’ve avoided any vehicle-related criminal offenses for at least three years. However, if you’ve ever had a license suspension
or if you’ve ever been convicted or granted a PBJ for a DUI or leaving the scene of an accident, you won’t be eligible for expungement. MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know
How to get cheap auto insurance with a poor driving record in Maryland
While you can use your Maryland MVR to calculate points on your record and check your license status, insurance providers will use your record for one simple purpose: to set your car insurance rates.
Insurance underwriters are one of the groups authorized to access individuals’ driving records in Maryland—and if they find a pattern of violations on yours, they’re likely to set your rates high or even deny you coverage. If you’ve got a criminal record on top of a spotty driving record, you could be labeled a high-risk driver
and shut out of most affordable policies. But don’t despair: it’s not impossible to find cheap Maryland car insurance costs
if you’ve got a less-than-perfect record. One of the best ways to find the affordable coverage you need is to shop for quotes with a quote comparison tool. With real-time, customized quotes, you can get the best affordable coverage without having to sacrifice protection for yourself and your vehicle.
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