Driver Records and Clearance Letters FAQs

Our records are maintained in accordance with State and Federal law, which includes the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission.

Driving records provided by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles reflect previous Colorado driver license, permit and ID history. Driving records are available for the previous seven years or for the full history of the driver. Records must include a minimum of seven years of data and cannot be limited to a shorter time frame.

The “seven year” record will go back seven years from date of request and will include:

• Driver information (includes current address listed with DMV)
• License/ID status
• Credential history
• Tickets and traffic convictions
• Reinstatement requirement
• Withdrawals such as cancellations, suspensions, and revocations
• Administrative stops

The “full history” record will include:

• Driver information (includes current address listed with DMV)
• License/ID status
• Commercial (CDL) status
• Credential history
• Tickets and traffic convictions
• Reinstatement requirement
• Withdrawals such as cancellations, suspensions, and revocations
• Administrative stops

This activity includes things like:

• Tickets and traffic convictions
• Withdrawals such as (Cancellations, Suspensions, and Revocations)
• License ID status
• Administrative stops

You can get a copy of your driving record in three different ways:

Online:

To request a non-certified or certified copy online, click here: Request a Driving Record.

Non-certified copies: These copies are emailed to you within 24 hours. Check your spam/junk mail folder if you don’t see it. (Attorney requests may take up to 2 business days.) 

Certified copies: These copies are MVR records stamped with a certification stamp from the DMV verifying their authenticity. These copies can only be sent to the requestor's mailing address, and typically take two business days to process.   

By Mail:

Please ensure that you complete all fields in the form DR 2559 Permission for Release of Individual Records.You can find this form on our Forms Library page. Mail the completed forms to: Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 173350 Denver, CO 80217-3350 along with a check or money order for the applicable fee. It could take 10 to 14 business days after the request is received before the motor vehicle record is mailed out to the requestor. USPS delivery services vary by location or territory, check with local area USPS delivery times.

Written requests must include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Driver license number (if available)
• Complete and legible original signature of driver

In Office:
You may go into a driver license office with a completed form DR 2559 Permission for Release of Individual Records. You can find this form on our Forms Library page. 

• A complete legible signature is required on the request.
• Please specify whether you want a certified or non-certified copy of the driving record.
• We accept credit cards, cash, checks or money orders for the applicable fee. Find more information on the state DMV fees webpage.

While certified and non-certified motor vehicle records may be purchased at any full-service driver license office, customers are welcome to make an appointment or do same day walk-ins at the Westgate Driver License Office. Please go to our appointment scheduling page, select Westgate location and Driver Records to make your appointment.

Make an appointment at the Westgate Office, select Driver Records. You can schedule your appointment here: Welcome to the Appointment Scheduling Information Page.

If you are requesting the driving record of another individual, federal and Colorado privacy laws apply. Your request is subject to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), a federal law that restricts public access to personal information held in motor vehicle records and §24-72-204 (7)(a) and (b) C.R.S.

What is the DPPA?

The DPPA (18 U.S.C. § 2721) prohibits the disclosure of "personal information" from a driver's motor vehicle record without that individual's express consent.

Personal information protected by the DPPA includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Name
• Address
• Driver identification number (license number)
• Photograph or digital image
• Social Security number
• Telephone number
• Information on medical conditions or disabilities

This law means you cannot access someone else's personal information from their driving record unless you have their written consent or your request falls under one of the specific "permissible uses" defined by the law.

Permissible Uses Under the DPPA

You may only access another person's driving record if your reason for doing so is one of the legally defined exceptions. You will be required to certify, under penalty of law, that your request meets one of these permissible uses.

While not a complete list, common permissible uses include:

• For use by government agencies: Any federal, state, or local government agency carrying out its official functions.
• Court or legal proceedings: In connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding.
• Insurance purposes: By an insurer or insurance support organization in connection with claims investigation, anti-fraud activities, rating, or underwriting.
• Employment: For use by an employer (or its agent) to verify information for a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder as required by federal law.
• With written consent: If you have obtained the express, written consent of the person whose record you are requesting.
• Business verification: For use by a legitimate business to verify the accuracy of information submitted by an individual or to prevent fraud.
• Safety and recalls: For use in matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft, including product alterations, recalls, or advisories.

Note: Misrepresenting your reason for requesting a record can result in significant legal and financial penalties.

How to Make a Request: Forms and Requirements

To request another person's driving record, you must:

• Obtain written consent:
  • You must submit form DR 2559- Permission to Release Driver Records to Self or Another Person from our Forms Library webpage here.  The DR 2559 form must have the signature of the person in interest authorizing you to inspect their driving record.
• Other Permissible Uses:
  • Submit form DR 2489- Driver Record Search Requestor Release which includes form DR 2478- Statement of Fact from our Forms Library webpage here. The DR 2478 form is found at the bottom of the DR 2489 form and requires you explain the permissible use you have designated. The Statement of Fact form is required except for the following uses:
    • By a government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency performing its functions for an approved purpose under D P P A.
    • By an employer/agent or insurer of a Commercial Driver’s License holder. (C D L I S or C M V record)
• Pay applicable fees: State DMV fees  
• Submit the forms:
  • Mail the completed forms to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 173350 Denver, CO 80217-3350.
  • Make an appointment at the Westgate Office, select Driver Records. You can schedule your appointment here: Welcome to the Appointment Scheduling Information Page.
    • Note: Driver License Offices provide only personal driving record information. Crash and other records and/or other requests are available only at 3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd. #3A, Lakewood, CO 80027.

Ensure you download and complete the most current version of the form and follow all instructions carefully, including any requirements for notarization or submission of fees.

You can find these forms in our Forms Library.

• DR 2489- Driver Record Search Requestor Release form DR 2489 along with the DR 2478 Statement of Fact
• DR 2559- Permission to Release Driver Records to Self or Another Person form

For additional information, please complete the Information Request for a Motor Vehicle Record web form.

The DMV cannot modify or change information on a driving record without a court order.

You can find information about Reporting a Crash and Obtaining a Crash Record here.

A “Letter of Clearance” (also called a “No Match Clearance Letter”) is a document that certifies that the person in question is not under restraint of driving privileges in Colorado, and is not the same person as someone of a similar name who is under restraint."

To request a Letter of Clearance, submit the DR 2275 Request for an Out-of-State No Match/Clearance Letter to include the following:

• DR 2275 filled out with all appropriate signatures in all appropriate sections
• A typed letter with an explanation of the circumstances for which they need a Letter of Clearance. (Indicate whether they have ever been to/a resident of Colorado, etc.)
• Last 4 digits of their Social Security Number
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Driver License Number (if available)
• Complete and legible original signature of driver Photocopy of driver photo ID bearing signature (both sides)
• Return address and contact phone number/email
• Appropriate fee

Mail to:

Department of Revenue
Driver Control Section
P.O. Box 173345
Denver, CO 80217-3345

Privacy laws prevent us from providing you with a driving record other than your own without that person's permission. If you are requesting a record as an employer or because of a pending court case, you may be permitted to receive the record based upon the criteria of the Driver Record Search Requestor Release form DR 2489 . This form may be printed from our website and submitted with the appropriate fee.

Additional forms which may be helpful include:

• DR 2478 Driver Record Statement of Fact Form
• DR 2559 Permission for Release of Driver Records to Self or Another Person

Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) which means the state of Colorado and most of the states in the United States belong to a compact. If you receive a ticket in a state that is not your state of residency and you fail to pay the fine, the state where you received the ticket will notify your home state. Your home state will suspend your driver license until the ticket has been paid.

To clear a Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) Suspension you will need to pay the fine for the ticket to the court. Once the fine is paid, you will need to forward an NRVC compliance statement from the court that issued the NRVC. This can be provided online at mydmv.colorado.gov. Click on Driver/ID Services, and then upload the form using the “View/upload reinstatement documents” link. Additionally, a reinstatement fee needs to be paid—which can be done via the “Pay a reinstatement fee” link on the same page.

Alternatively, you may take a completed Application for Reinstatement (Form DR 2870), NRVC Compliance Statement and reinstatement fee to 1351 5th St. Suite 100 Denver, CO 80204; or mail that information to the address at the top of the form. 

An Outstanding Judgment Warrant (OJW) is issued when a fee or other requirements are outstanding with the court. OJWs incurred after 12/31/2021 must be paid to the court. DMV does not have access to those records. For OJW's incurred prior to 2022, the OJW is put on your driving record, and may have resulted in the cancellation of driving privileges. Reinstatement can be accomplished by paying the reinstatement fee. This can be paid online at MyDMV. Click on the Driver/ID Services tab and use the link for "Pay a Reinstatement Fee."