It’s easy. And it might be important to do so. After all, history matters. That’s especially true when powerful interests, such as the Georgia state government and employers, take notice because they see the past — your past — as a good indicator of future events. Your auto insurance company is also interested in the stats.
Read on and find out how to get a copy of your Georgia Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) — and why it could be important to do so.
Why Review Your Georgia Driving Report Regularly
How many points do I have on my license?
You might not be able to accurately answer that question unless you have a copy of your motor vehicle records — your Georgie MVR — in front of you. And it could be important since your right to drive can be suspended in this state for a tally of 15 or more points on your license over a 24-month period.
How close are you? Can you safely take one more speeding ticket without losing your driving privileges? You won’t know unless you check your Georgia driving record.
It’s also important to know your motor vehicle records because your auto insurance company is taking note. Drivers with a high accumulation of points are perceived to be reckless drivers at a heightened risk of collision or other mishap that could cost the insurer money.
That’s why car insurance in Georgia is more expensive for such at-risk drivers — or they’re simply refused renewal altogether. So you have to know if some of the information is wrong and should be corrected.
If the records are correct, you need to be forewarned so you can drive more carefully and reduce the risk of doing further damage to the report.
How to Obtain Your Georgia MVR
You can get your records quickly online. You can also request your MVR in person or through the mail. Just know that you have some options for the report you request.
First, you can get a three-year, seven-year, or lifetime history. The three-year version costs $6, and the longer reports are available for $8 each. You likely don’t need more than the three-year report since most violations drop off your record after a couple of years.
Your certified MVR is the most official document. But unless you’ve been asked to provide a certified document, the non-certified version will be sufficient for your needs.
Here’s how to get your Georgia MVR from all three sources.
Online: Fast and Convenient
This takes a few clicks of a keyboard. If you typically use the web to shop and conduct business, it won’t surprise you that this is the fastest and easiest way to obtain your report. Start by signing in or registering an account at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) website.
Once you’ve done that, you can request your MVR right from the site. You can only pay electronically, so you must have a credit card. If you request a non-certified report, you’ll get it immediately. A certified version will be mailed to you.
In-Person: Direct but a Bit More Time-Consuming
If you prefer conducting your business in person, that’s possible, too. Just drop in at your nearest DDS location and request a copy of your motor vehicle records. Just make sure you have the payment and your driver’s license with you.
The office clerk will print out the MVR you requested.
The Mail Route: If You Dare
This method is not exactly hassle-free. In the first place, you’re still going to have to make use of the internet by finding and downloading a copy of form DDS-18 on the state’s website. This form must be filled out and mailed.
But first, you’ll have to get your signature notarized, so the state authorities know that it’s really you requesting the report. With that all done, send in the filled-out form and a self-addressed envelope to this address:
Georgia Department of Driver Services
MVR Request
PO Box 80447
Conyers, GA 30013
Be sure to include a check for the report payment with your request.
As you can see, this is not exactly the most efficient way of getting your MVR record. You might prefer a trip to a nearby DDS office or getting help using the internet.
Understanding Your MVR: Decoding the Details
Your Georgia MVR is a complete record of your driving interactions with authorities over the last three or seven years or a lifetime, depending on which version you get. This includes all moving vehicle violations and even parking tickets over that timeline.
You’ll be able to see motor vehicle records such as involvement in accidents, license suspensions or revocations, DUI convictions, and the point total on your license.
In addition, be sure to check such details as your name, address, and license number, just to make sure there’s not been a mix-up with someone else’s report. If you see any errors, contact the DDS immediately.
If you know you have a clean driving record, it might not even be important to get a copy of your report. But if you’ve had recent entanglements, invest the six or eight bucks for peace of mind.