Civil or Criminal Matter

That depends on whether the activity is a civil matter or a criminal action. A civil violation would require you to take civil action in return, which usually means filing a lawsuit. A criminal action should be brought to the attention of authorities.

Because driving records are public records, it isn’t often that someone would access your driving records illegally. But it can happen. Illegal accessing of driving records occurs when someone violates consent laws or misrepresents themselves for the purpose of accessing privileged personal information on a driving record. The former is a civil matter, while the latter may be criminal.

For example, employers are required by law to obtain your permission before conducting background checks. There are ways around the law, but generally speaking, your permission is required. If an employer proceeds with a background check and accesses your driving record without your consent, you may have ground for a civil action. This will depend entirely on the circumstances, of course, but you should contact an attorney to discuss your options.

In another example, anyone wishing to view your personal information on a driving record, such as address, phone number, and social security number, must receive an exemption under federal law. Examples of exemptions are governmental employees, private detectives and attorneys.

If someone were to misrepresent themselves as a professional in one of these areas for the purpose of obtaining your personal information from a driving record, this may very well qualify as a criminal matter. In such a case, you should contact the authorities.

View Your Records

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to determine if your driving record has been accessed illegally. However, you can at the very least learn what information is on your driving record to make sure it’s accurate. Start by ordering your driving record online. Ordering online is quick and secure, so take a moment now and order yours.