How to Get Your Ohio Driving Record

Go to the BMV's record request page, pick the record you need, and download it. That's it. The more useful question is what you do if it shows points, and that's where an Ohio defensive driving course comes in.

How to Get Your Ohio Driving Record Online, Step by Step

Ordering takes a few minutes on the BMV's website.

The Steps

1. Go to the Ohio BMV's online record request service.
2. Choose your record: the unofficial two year copy or the certified three year abstract.
3. Enter your Ohio driver license number and the identifying details it asks for.
4. Pay, if you're ordering a certified record.
5. Download or print your record.

Prefer Mail?

You can also mail a Record Request (form BMV 1173) with the fee. Mail is the route for a complete driving record history, which goes back further than the online abstract.

What It Costs and How Fast You Get It

The unofficial copy costs nothing, and a certified three year abstract is $5 per record, plus any processing fee for ordering online.

Which One Do You Need?

For checking your own points, the unofficial copy is enough. If an employer, court, or insurer asks for an official record, get the certified abstract.

How Fast

The unofficial copy is ready right away online. Mailed requests take longer, so order online unless you need the full history. The BMV explains every record type on its record request page.

How to Read Your Record: Points, Suspensions and How Long They Stay

Your record lists moving violation convictions, crash involvement, and any suspensions or revocations, plus the points tied to each conviction.

Points

Ohio assigns points for traffic convictions, and they count toward a suspension for two years. Get more than five and the BMV sends a warning letter. Hit 12 within two years and your license is suspended.

Suspensions

Suspensions show up with their type and dates. If yours says suspended, sort that out before anything else, because driving on it makes everything worse. Our guide to suspended vs. revoked explains the difference.

Points on Your Record? How an Ohio Remedial Driving Course Helps

If you have at least 2 but fewer than 12 points, an approved remedial driving course gives you a 2-point credit. It's the fastest way to put distance between you and the 12-point line.

The Rule

You can earn the 2 point credit once every three years, and no more than five times in your lifetime. Once a 12-point suspension has started, the course won't cancel it on its own.

How It Works

Complete an approved course, then send your certificate to the court or the BMV, depending on who referred you. Check your record a few weeks later to confirm the credit posted. I Drive Safely's Ohio defensive driving course is 100% online and built around short, engaging lessons.

55 or Older?

A mature driver course may also help with your insurance. See the Ohio mature driver course and ask your insurer about a discount.

Getting a Record for a Job or for Insurance

Employers and insurers usually want the certified three-year abstract, not the unofficial copy.

For a Job

If a job involves driving, expect the employer to review your record. Pull it first so nothing surprises you in the interview.

For Insurance

Insurers check your record when they set your rate. Here's how points affect insurance, and our general guide to getting a driver record copy in any state.