Checking your driver record and court-ordered reinstatement

Explanation

Before assuming your driving privileges are back to normal, check your driver record. The free “Viewable Driver Record” at myBMV.com shows your license status, citations, suspensions, and what’s left to reinstate any outstanding requirements — a good first stop, and free every time you log in. For situations that call for a document other people can rely on, there’s also the “Official Driver Record,” which costs $4 and works as an official transcript that individuals, courts, state agencies, and employers can use; unlike the Viewable Record, it can be printed, and stays printable for up to 30 days after you buy it.

If a suspension on your record is court-ordered, the record lists that court’s phone number so you can find out what’s still required. Once you’ve satisfied the court, it’s the court — not you — that sends the reinstatement information to the BMV, and that processing can take up to 10 business days from when the BMV receives it.

Example

Someone checks their free Viewable Driver Record and sees an outstanding court-ordered suspension with the court’s phone number listed. They call, pay the remaining fine, and the court forwards reinstatement information to the BMV — which takes about a week to process before their privileges show as reinstated.

Common mistake

Assuming the free Viewable Driver Record works as proof for an employer or agency. The manual states only the paid Official Driver Record is an official transcript usable by courts, state agencies and employers.

What the manual says

Your first resource should be to check your driver record, which you may view anytime at no charge at myBMV.com.

The Official Driver Record is an official transcript of your driver record and can be used by individuals, courts, state agencies, and employers.

Once the court’s requirements are fulfilled, the court will send reinstatement information directly to the BMV for processing. Processing by the BMV may take up to 10 business days once the information is received from the court.