New York State - Complete driving record
- Thread starter nycool
- Start date
I am in the same exact situation as you. I went to the DMV in person and explained to them that I need a full DMV record for my N-400. The clerk told me that the only thing I can do is get the driving abstract, which only has the past 3 years' worth of records. I did fairly extensive research on this, and made a lot of phone calls to various subdivisions of the DMV, and everyone gave me the same answer. I'm sure that there has to be a way to obtain a full driving record, but it may not be available to "civilians".
The answers from DMV staffs are confusing.
One said, you can get only up to 3 years abstract from local dmv and receive it right away by fill out mv-15c.
One said, you can get up to 5 years abstract by sending mv-15 to Albany
Another one said, you can get your complete NY state driving record by sending mv-15 to Albany. I'm not sure but will try.
Not sure can I use the MV-15F (Freedom of Information Request form) to request the complete NY driving record?
Will contiue to search and update if i find any info.
Thanks
One said, you can get only up to 3 years abstract from local dmv and receive it right away by fill out mv-15c.
One said, you can get up to 5 years abstract by sending mv-15 to Albany
Another one said, you can get your complete NY state driving record by sending mv-15 to Albany. I'm not sure but will try.
Not sure can I use the MV-15F (Freedom of Information Request form) to request the complete NY driving record?
Will contiue to search and update if i find any info.
Thanks
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What for do you need driving record?
I sent whatever the DMV gave me. It did not even have the record of my ticket on it, but I sent in the completion certificate.
FYI, the IO who took my interview said tickets are NOT supposed to be added to the application unless you were arrested. If its a speeding ticket, its not needed. But for your peace of mind, send it in if you want to. Just take whatever the DMV gives you, and send a copy of your ticket traffic school completion, if any.
FYI, the IO who took my interview said tickets are NOT supposed to be added to the application unless you were arrested. If its a speeding ticket, its not needed. But for your peace of mind, send it in if you want to. Just take whatever the DMV gives you, and send a copy of your ticket traffic school completion, if any.
Hi Vorpal -
If you file a FOIPA (or FOIL in NY State) request to the DMV records division, they have to give you access to everything they have on you (by law). I know NY is very strict concerning privacy, but since it is your record you shouldn't come across any problems. And if it is true - that they don't keep more than 3 years - which I doubt that, then you are good to go. In cases such as this, the local DMV might not be able to help.
Here it is the information on their web site: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm#FOIL
Just explain in writing that the MV-15 form only goes back 3 years and provides an abstract - and you are looking for 10+ years of records. There's also an Albany number to call - try calling first and see if your situation warrants a request.
Good luck.
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Thanks, LolaLi! I actually called the number in Albany, and was told that my only option is to order an abstract. I think a FOIL request may be warranted in this situation. Coincidentally, when I went to my local DMV office to get records of traffic tickets, there was a man waiting online who was there for the same reason. He was joining the NYPD, and all applicants are required to provide records of every single traffic violation they have ever received. I think the DMV was giving him the same answer they gave me.
I just got off the phone with the FOIL office, and they gave me the same exact reply. The woman on the phone even used the word "purged" (could be the we spoke with the same person). She did, however, say that her co-worker may have more information on that, so she took down my phone number and promised to have her call me. However, it definitely seems that the only option we have is to get the abstract.
It's worth mentioning that Nassau County (Long Island) has their own traffic court system, and their tickets don't appear on the New York State DMV record. I got 2 tickets there back in 1999 (speeding and seatbelt), and was able to get records of those tickets last October. I pleaded guilty to both and paid them, and neither appeared on my DMV record.
***UPDATE: I just received a phone call from the co-worker of the FOIL office employee. She confirmed that after 4 years, all NYS DMV records are purged. She also said that if I file a FOIL request, all I will get back is a letter stating that records have been purged. I hope this answers everyone's question!
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Can you get that in writing?
Its best to have something in writing if you are anticipating a question from USCIS regarding your driving history. Just my 2 cents.
Can you get that in writing?
Just my 2 cents.
Oh, I fully intend on doing that. $10 is a small price to pay for peace of mind. If an overzealous IO decides to give me a hard time over the 1 summons that I got back in 1996, at least I'll have something to fall back on.
I have ordered my report 2 months ago and it camed after few days. My report is clean as virgin
Why wouldn't they accept it? If you have any traffic violations after you got the report, just bring copies of court dispositions/proof of payment.
Have you ordered abstract online or using form MV-15? What did you select as the reason for requesting MV-15 in NY?
"The Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) regulates access to Motor Vehicles records. You must tell us why you want the records you are requesting. Place your initials next to each permissible use you select."
What did you select as the reason for requesting MV-15 in NY?
Actually, I ordered my transcript online. It's a lot easier that way, and it saves time as well. If you'd rather use MV-15, the only option that seems even remotely close is "For use by any private person who has obtained written consent from the motorist".
For those who were wondering if there is a way to obtain NYS DMV records beyond the 3 year time period covered by the abstract, I have obtained written proof from the DMV that such records are not possible to obtain. I previously called the FOIA office and was told that the DMV purges its records after 3 years. However, I wanted to make sure that I have written proof of this, since I have a ticket that falls outside of that time frame. I sent in the form MV-15F, along with a letter requesting the DMV to send me a letter stating that the records I'm requesting don't exist, due to the fact that they have been purged. I received this letter yesterday, along with a fact sheet that states something to the extent of the following: "Many government organizations request driving records for the past 10 years or more. Such records do not exist."
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