Learn how to access and read your California driving record and understand the meaning of each vehicle code violation on your record and how many points they add to it.
Are you curious about what your California driver’s record shows? Are you eager to learn how to read a driving record? California driving records can be a little confusing. You may wonder, for example, what a vehicle code violation is on your record or what it means to your insurance rates. You have a right to see your California driver history report. The good news is that you can access your California MVR (motor vehicle record) online and in person.
To find out the meaning of each code, see the charts below, organized by the number of points they add to your record. Your insurance rates may be affected by violations your insurance company sees on your driving record.
What is a California driving record?
Your driving record in California serves as a comprehensive account of your driving history, including any traffic violations or accidents, DUI convictions and other infractions.
“Your California driving record is a meticulous document listing all accidents, traffic violations, suspensions, etc.,” says attorney Jonathan Feniak, who adds that your record can include special codes (explained below). “To understand this record, you also need to know what every abbreviated code listed in your record means.”
Your record also shows any corresponding points accumulated. Points are tallied on your California DMV record whenever you receive a citation for speeding or engaging in other prohibited actions while driving. Accumulating a certain number of points on your DMV record can lead to the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.
The severity of the offense determines the points assigned; for instance, a speeding ticket may warrant only one point, whereas a DUI conviction could result in six points.
According to Janet Ruiz, director of Strategic Communications for the Insurance Information Institute, it’s smart to check your California driving record when in doubt.
“It may be important when applying for a job. Your driving record will also be considered when you apply for auto insurance and the carrier determines your premium,” Ruiz says.
How do you check your California driving record online?
To access your California driving record, complete an online driver’s record request and print it out if you want a hard copy. Here are the steps involved:
- Ensure that your printer is powered on and prepared; you will have a single chance to print your record after completing the payment.
- Be ready to establish an online account if you haven’t done so.
- Pay the required $2 fee.
- All credit/debit card transactions incur an extra 1.95% payment processing fee. However, no additional fees apply if you pay directly from your bank account.
How can you get your driving record in person?
Alternatively, you can retrieve your California driving record in person at your local DMV office. Here’s what’s involved:
- Fill out the following form: Request for Your Own Driver’s License/Identification Card (DL/ID) or Vehicle/ Vessel Registration (VR) Information Record (INF 1125) (you can print this out and complete it ahead of visiting the DMV). Note that requests for your driver’s or vehicle record processed in person at a DMV field office are handled on the spot, and you’ll receive the hard copy records during your visit.
- If you’re requesting someone else’s record(s), complete a Request for Record Information (INF 70) form. Be aware that requests for someone else’s driver’s or vehicle record made in person at a DMV field office are sent to DMV headquarters for processing. Upon approval, DMV will dispatch the record(s) to you.
- Pay a mandatory $5 fee for an in-person record request.
You can also request your driving record by phoning (916) 657-8098. Or, you can request it via mail by following the same three steps above and then mailing your completed form and $5 to:
DMV Information Release Unit
MS G199
PO Box 944247
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470
California DMV driving record codes
- COURT – Courthouse Number
- DL/NO – Driver’s License Number
- B/D – Birth Date
- RES ADD – Residential Address
- HT – Height
- WT – Weight
- LIC/ISS – License Issued
- EXP – Expires
- VIOL/DT – Violation Date
- SEC/VIOL – Section Violated
- DKT/NO – Docket Number
- VEH/LIC – Vehicle License
One-point California vehicle code violations
| Code and Section | Violation |
|---|---|
| VEH 2800 | Disobedience to a traffic officer |
| VEH 2800.1 | Evading peace officer |
| VEH 2801 | Disobedience to a fire official |
| VEH 2803, 2803a, 2803b, 2803c | Unsafe vehicle load |
| VEH 2815 | Disregarding non-student crossing guard |
| VEH 2816 | Youth bus/children crossing highway |
| VEH 2817 | Disregarding funeral escort officer |
| VEH 2818 | Crossing safety flares/cones |
| VEH 14601.5 | Driving, suspended/revoked for refusing a test |
| VEH 14603 | Violation of license restrictions |
| VEH 21100.3 | Disregarding traffic officer’s directions |
| VEH 21209, 21209a | Driving in a bicycle lane |
| VEH 21367, 21367a, 21367b, 21367c | Disobedience to traffic signs/controller |
| VEH 21451, 21451a, 21451b | Illegal movement/green light/arrow |
| VEH 21452, 21452a | Illegal movement/yellow light/arrow |
| VEH 21453, 21453a, 21453b, 21453c | Illegal movement/red/light/arrow |
| VEH 21454, 21454a – d, 21455 | Traffic signals |
| VEH 21457, 21457a, 21457b | Disobedience to flashing signals |
| VEH 21460a, 21460b | Double lines/one broken line |
| VEH 21460.5c | Use of a two-way left turn lane |
| VEH 21461, 21461a, 21462 | Disobedience to a traffic control device |
| VEH 21650, 21650a – f | Keep right |
| VEH 21651, 21651a | Crossing divided highway |
| VEH 21652 | Entering a highway from a service road |
| VEH 21654, 21654a, 21654b, 21655, 21655b | Lane use/slow-moving vehicle |
| VEH 21655.8 | Diamond lane/entering/exiting |
| VEH 21656 – 21662, 21662a, 21662b | Improper lane use |
| VEH 21663 | Driving on sidewalk |
| VEH 21664 | Freeway ramp/entering/exiting |
| VEH 21700 | Load obstructing a driver’s view |
| VEH 21701 | Interfering with a driver’s control of a vehicle |
| VEH 21702, 21702a, 21702b | Driving hours limitation |
| VEH 21703, 21704, 21704a, 21705, 21706 | Following too closely |
| VEH 21707 | Driving in a fire area |
| VEH 21709 | Driving in a safety zone |
| VEH 21711 | Towed vehicle swerving |
| VEH 21712, 21712a, 21712d, 21712f, 21715, 21715a, 21715b | Unlawful riding/towing |
| VEH 21717 | Turning across a bicycle lane |
| VEH 21750 – 21757, 21758, 21759 | Illegal passing |
| VEH 21800 – 21804, 21804a, 21804b | Right-of-way |
| VEH 21805, 21805b | Yielding right-of-way to a horseback rider |
| VEH 21806, 21806a | Yielding right-of-way to emergency vehicle |
| VEH 21807 | Unsafe operation of emergency vehicle |
| VEH 21950, 21950a, 21951, 21952 | Yielding right-of-way to a pedestrian |
| VEH 21954, 21954b | Due care for pedestrians on a roadway |
| VEH 21960a | Prohibited use of freeway |
| VEH 21963 | Yielding right-of-way to blind pedestrian |
| VEH 22100 – 22105 | Turing and U-turns |
| VEH 22106 | Unsafe staring/backing of vehicle |
| VEH 22107 – 22111, 22111a, 22111b, 22111c | Signaling turns and stops |
| VEH 22112, 22112a | School bus signaling |
| VEH 22348, 22348a, 22348c | Speed/use of designated lanes |
| VEH 22349, 22349.5 | Maximum speed |
| VEH 22350, 22351, 22352, 22352a, 22352b | Basic/prima facie speed limit |
| VEH 22354, 22355 | Exceeding posted/freeway speed limit |
| VEH 22356, 22356b | Maximum speed 70 mph |
| VEH 22357, 22358.4 | Speed in excess of local limits |
| VEH 22359, 22360, 22361 | Speed in excess of local limits |
| VEH 22362 | Speed/construction zone |
| VEH 22400, 22400a, 22400b | Driving too slow |
| VEH 22405, 22405a | Speed/bridge/tunnel |
| VEH 22406, 22407 | Maximum designated vehicle speed |
| VEH 22409, 22410 | Speed/solid/metal tires |
| VEH 22413 | Speed limit on grades |
| VEH 22450, 22451, 22452, 22452a, 22452b | Stop required/railroad crossing |
| VEH 22454 | Stop for a school bus |
| VEH 23103, 23103a,23103 b | Reckless driving |
| VEH 23104, 23104a | Reckless driving/causing bodily injury |
| VEH 23109, 23109b, 23109d | Speed contest/aiding or abetting |
| VEH 23116, 23116a | Transporting person in truckload space |
| VEH 23123, 23123.5 | Holding or operating a Cellphone |
| VEH 23127 | Driving on trails and paths |
| VEH 23140, 23140a, 23140b | Minor driving with a BAC of 0.05% or more |
| VEH 23152, 23152a-d | DUI/alcoholic beverage or drugs |
| VEH 23153, 23153a-d | DUI/causing bodily injury or death |
| VEH 23220 | Drinking while driving |
| VEH 23222, 23222a, 23222b | Marijuana or open container/driving |
| VEH 23235 | Ignition interlock verification |
| VEH 23244, 23244b | Defeating ignition interlock device |
| VEH 23253 | Disobedience to toll highway officer |
| VEH 23270, 23270a | Unauthorized towing |
| VEH 23330, 23330c | Width/load of a vehicle at a crossing |
| VEH 23336 | Disobedience to sign/vehicle crossing |
| VEH 24002, 24002a, 24002b | Unsafe/unlawfully equipped vehicle |
| VEH 24004 | Operation after notice by officer |
| VEH 24250 | Lighting equipment |
| VEH 24409, 24409a, 24409b | Failure to dim lights |
| VEH 24604 | Lamps/flag for extended load |
| VEH 25103, 25103a, 25103b | Lamps on projecting load |
| VEH 26301, 26302, 26302a, 26302b, 26302c | Brakes |
| VEH 26303, 26304, 26304a, 26304b | Brakes/combination vehicles |
| VEH 26307 | Forklift truck brakes |
| VEH 26311, 26311a, 26311b, 26311c | All-wheel service brakes |
| VEH 26456, 26457 | Brakes/stopping distance |
| VEH 26458, 26458a, 26458.5 | Braking system/towing vehicles |
| VEH 26502a | Adjustment/use of air brakes |
| VEH 26503 – 26506, 26506a, 26507 | Airbrake system |
| VEH 26508, 26508a – c, 26508e – k, 26508o | Emergency stopping system |
| VEH 26520, 26521, 26522 | Vacuum brakes |
| VEH 27360, 27360a – c, 27360.5, 27360a – c | Child Passenger restraint |
| VEH 27363, 27363b | Child seat belt |
| VEH 27800, 27801, 27801a, 27801b | Motorcycle/passengers and equipment |
| VEH 29001, 29002 | Fifth wheel connecting/locking device |
| VEH 29003a, 29003b, 29003c | Hitch and coupling device |
| VEH 29004, 29004a – c, 29006, 29006a | Towed vehicle coupling |
| VEH 29201 | Pole dolly/load and length |
| VEH 31301, 31301a | Caldecott tunnel restrictions |
| VEH 31303, 31303b, 31303c, 31303e | Hazardous waste transportation |
| VEH 31402 | Farm labor vehicle/unsafe operation |
| VEH 31540, 31504b | Removable containers/regulations |
| VEH 31614, 31614a, 3164b, 31614d – f 31614h, 31614i | Explosives transportation |
| VEH 32104, 32104a, 32104b, 32105, 32105a, 32105c-e | Inhalation hazard transportation |
| VEH 32106, 32106a – d | Inhalation hazard transportation |
| VEH 34102 | Tank vehicle regulations |
| VEH 34501.2, 34501a, 34501c | Driving hours limitations |
| VEH 34506, 34506a – g | Driving hours, equipment, maintenance, operation |
| VEH 34506.3 | Safety regulation violation |
| VEH 34509, 34509c, 34509d | Vanpool vehicle maintenance inspection |
| VEH 35784, 35784a, 35784b | Violation of special permit |
| VEH 35784.5, 35784a, 35784b | Extralegal load/weight |
| VEH 36400 | Lift-carrier/speed |
| VEH 36705 | Bale wagon load width during darkness |
Two-point California vehicle code violations
| Code and section | Violation |
|---|---|
| VEH 2800.2, 2800.3 | Evading peace officer/reckless driving |
| VEH 14601, 14601a,14601 b, 14601.1- 14601.4 | Driving with a suspended/revoked license |
| VEH 20001, 20001a 20002, 20002a, 20002b | Hit and run/injury/property damage |
| VEH 21651b | Driving wrong side/divided highway |
| VEH 22348b | Speed over 100 MPH |
| VEH 23103, 23103a,23103 b | Reckless driving |
| VEH 23104, 23104a | Reckless driving/causing bodily injury |
| VEH 23109a, 23109c | Speed contest /exhibition of speed |
| VEH 23140, 23140a, 23140b | Minor driving with a BAC of 0.05% or more |
| VEH 23152, 23152a-d | DUI/alcoholic beverage or drugs |
| VEH 23153, 23153a-d | DUI/causing bodily injury or death |
| VEH 31602, 31602a, 31602b, 31602c | Explosives transportation |
Other common California code violations
| Section | Code | Violation | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49307 or 12059 | Education | Disobedience to school safety patrol | 1 |
| 191.5a, 192c1-192c4, 192.3c, 192.3d | Penal | Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence | 2 |
| 192c, 192.3, 192.3a, 192.3b | Penal | Vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence | 1 |
| 27176 | Streets and highways | Speeding on Golden Gate Bridge | 1 |
Code of federal regulations violations
| Section | Violation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 36423 or 36FR46 | DUI/alcoholic beverage or any drug | 2 |
For more information relating to California, see the California car insurance page.
How do you determine if you have a clean driving record in California?
You can confirm if you have a clean driving record by checking your California driving record online, in person at the DMV, by phone or by mail.
“A clean driving record in California is one without any accidents, moving violations or application of points as assigned in the California driver’s record system,” says Ruiz.
What is considered a good driving record in California?
Per Ruiz, characteristics of a clean driving record in California include:
- 3 to 5 years without any points assigned to your license
- 3 to 5 years without any accidents
- 3 years without any traffic tickets or moving violations
- 10 or more years without any major violations such as DUIs or hit-and-runs.
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