GoDMV.com provides you with a comprehensive list of resources to obtain a copy of your Driving Records, a detailed Vehicle History Report, Criminal records, a Background check, or even a Free Credit Report.   


Driving Records

Your driving history report or driving record contains information from your state driving record, usually for a period of at least three years, depending on your state.  You may not be aware of it, but a good number of states are making alcohol or drug-related driving infractions a permanent part of your motor vehicle report.  Generally speaking, your driving record contains license information, infractions, and your address, as well as other general information, such as when you obtained your drivers license.  It is important to periodically review your driving record to determine if there are any inaccuracies reported on there, as this can result in your paying more in auto insurance.

If you are an employer, it may be very important for you to check the driving record of your current or future employees.  While you must first obtain the permission of your employee, these reports are generally available within a week.  Investing in a driving record report for your employees can be an important step in protecting your business against litigation for not checking or screening your employees for criminal traffic-related incidents.
 

Background Checks

There are several types of background checks that you can obtain, from a basic background check or a background that includes a psychological profile.  

A general background check includes an individuals legal name, birth date, and age.  Also included is a list of other names associated with that individual, as well as addresses and listed phone numbers associated with that individual.  This information is generally obtained from public records or utility records.  

A comprehensive background check includes the individuals name, any associated Aliases, names the individual might also be known as (AKA's), Age, Month & year of birth, Date and Location where SSN issued, Others associated with SSN, 30 year address/listed phone history, B&W Satellite Photo of current location, Nationwide Bankruptcy Search, Nationwide Judgments, Liens Search, Nationwide Real Property Search, Property Assessments, Others listed at subjects address, Possible Associates, Relatives summary, names & phone numbers, Voter Registrations Records, Current Neighbors, Names, addresses, listed phones, Court Cases, Employment, FAA registrations, Drug Enforcement Agency Search, FAA Airmen, FAA Aircraft, Social Security Death Index, Professional Licenses, Internet Domain Ownership, Corporate affiliations, UCC filings (Business Loans), Aircraft Ownership, Vessels Ownership, Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Boats Ownership, Drivers License Verification, Concealed Weapons Permit, Hunting, Fishing Permits, as well as a National Criminal Records check.


Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks include the same information as the general background check, except that you will obtain a Federal and State criminal and civil records from all 50 states, along with marriage and divorce information.  This record includes a Civil court record, Judgments & Liens Search, Bankruptcy check, and a Real property search.


Vehicle History Report

A vehicle history report provides valuable information about used vehicle history which can help you make an informed used car buying decision.  A vehicle history report outlines the history of your vehicle, including information such as hidden accident damage, odometer history and false readings, car theft reports, flood damage, or lemon history.  All of the information contained in a vehicle history report can be extremely important and useful when you are looking to purchase a car so that you can make sure you are buying a reliable automobile.  Alternatively, it may be important to have a copy of your vehicle history report if you are trying to sell your used car so that you can prove to any respective buyers that your car is reliable and worthy of purchase.  In order to obtain a vehicle history report by VIN, you will need the VIN number from the car.  The VIN number is the manufacturer’s serial number for each individual car, and can be located in the insurance card or policy, on the vehicle title or registration card, on the front driver’s side dash, or on the front driver’s side door post.  It is a 17-digit identifier composed of digits and characters that is unique to each vehicle.


Free Credit Reports

Almost everyone is familiar with what a credit report is, and chances are you may have an old one lying around the house.  A credit report is a record of an individual’s or businesses past borrowing and repaying, which includes information about timely and late payments, as well as bankruptcy information, if appropriate.  

The culmination of your credit history results in what is called a credit score.  A credit score is based on your credit history information, and is quantified by a number typically between 300 and 850, with the higher the number indicating better credit.  Your credit score is based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files, which basically amounts to whether a person will pay their bills or not.  This information is used by lenders, i.e., Banks and/or credit card companies, to determine the risks associated with lending money to you for the purchase of a car, a house, or to obtain a credit card.  The bank or credit card company then uses this information to determine if you qualify for a loan, and what your interest rate will be for the loan. 

Generally speaking, credit ratings are determined by the following factors:

• Payment record - A record of bills being overdue will lower the credit rating.
• Control of debt - Are you living beyond your means?  Lenders want to make sure that you are not borrowing more than you can pay back.  
• Signs of responsibility and stability - Lenders perceive things such as longevity in the borrower's home and job (at least two years) as signs of stability.
• Re-Aging �" Every so often, a credit history is re-written and you are given a fresh start on that particular account.
• Credit cards that are not used �" Having credit cards that are not in use can actually improve your credit score, contrary to the popular opinion that closing an unused credit card raises your score.  The credit formula looks at the length of time credit accounts have been open, so closing an account with several years of history could be a mistake.
• Credit inquiries - An inquiry is a notation on a credit history file.  An example would be if you had a credit card company run your credit history to determine if you qualify for a credit card.  The more times you do this, the more it adversely affects your credit score.