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Our mission is to improve traffic and transportation safety by providing a nationwide database of problem drivers that assists State driver licensing agencies in identifying these individuals and assists employers in making hiring and certification decisions.

NDR is a computerized database of information about drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended, or who have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. State motor vehicle agencies provide NDR with the names of individuals who have lost their privileges or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation.

When a person applies for a driver's license, the State DMV checks to see if the name is on our NDR database. If a person has been reported to the NDR as a problem driver, the license may be denied.

NOTE: There is no fee associated with NDR searches. These searches are free of charge and available to anyone.

National Driver Register Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)
  • What is the National Driver Register Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)

    • The NDR Master File (database) is populated with pointer information supplied by States as a result of convictions and license revocations/withdrawals pertaining to highway safety violations.

      The National Driver Register Status:
      - No Match: The individual does not have record a on the NDR.
      - Licensed (LIC): Licensed means the individual holds a license in that State and the privilege to drive is valid.
      - Eligible (ELG): The individual privilege to drive or apply for a license in a State(s) is valid.
      - Not: The individual privilege to drive in a State(s) is invalid.
      - NEN: The individual privilege to drive in a State(s) is invalid due to a non-moving violation.

  • What kind of information is on the NDR?

    • The NDR is populated with "pointer" information:
      - first, last, and middle name, alias names (if any)
      - date of birth, license number, and social security number (if allowed by State law)
      - sex, height, weight, eye color (if collected by States), and
      - the State that added the pointer, also referred to as State-of-Record (SOR).

      This information is supplied and maintained by State as a result of convictions and license withdrawals pertaining to highway safety violations. No driver history information is maintained in the NDR. The PDPS "points" a State-of-Inquiry (SOI) to the SOR when a Probable Identification is made through the NDR.

  • Who gave the information to the NDR?

    • The State Agency responsible for issuing driver licenses is required to transfer identification information on all revocations, suspensions, and license denials within 31 days of receipt of the convictions from the courts.

  • Who has access to the information on the NDR?

    • - Any individual under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
      - State and federal driver licensing officials.
      - The Federal Railroad Administration and employers of locomotive operators.
      - The Federal Aviation Administration for airman medical certification.
      - The U.S. Coast Guard for merchant mariner certification.
      - The National Transportation Safety Board for accident investigations.
      - Federal Highway Administration for accident investigations.
      - Federal Agencies performing background investigations for employment.

  • How is this information used?

    • State driver licensing officials query the NDR to determine if an individual's license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle has been withdrawn by any State.

      When the NDR receives a query, it matches Personal Identification information submitted by the requester against information in the system for a probable match (pointer record) from one or more states.

      Matching algorithm uses name, date of birth, and sex. Social Security Numbers are used only as another form of personal identification since not every State submits Social Security Numbers as a form of Identification.

  • How can I find out if I am listed in NDR?

    • You are entitled, under the provisions of the Privacy Act, to request a file search to see if you have a record on the NDR. As a private citizen, you must send a notarized letter commonly referred to as a “privacy act request” to the NDR indicating that you would like an NDR file check.  Individuals should send their request to the National Driver Register, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.  20590.  Please include in your request your full legal name, DOB, State and Driver License Number, Sex, Height, Weight, and Eye Color (your social security number is optional).  There is no charge for this service.

  • Is there a charge to search the NDR?

    • No.  National Driver Register DOES NOT CHARGE for a National Driver Register File Search.

  • What does it mean if my name is on the NDR?

    • If your name is on the NDR database it may mean that your driver license has been sanctioned (suspended, cancelled, revoked or denied) because of a serious traffic violation.

  • If my name is on the NDR, can I be licensed in another State?

    • If an individual's driving privilege is withdrawn in the State in which he/she is licensed or in another State(s), he/she will not be able to obtain a license or learner's permit until the individual has satisfied the suspension(s) within the State of Record.

  • What do I need to do if my name is found on the NDR?

    • If there is a record on the NDR file that pertains to you, you must contact the State of Record (SOR) or the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that has taken the action against your privilege. To fulfill requirements of suspension, you must pay all the fines and reinstatement fees before the state removes the pointer from NDR.

      The law governing the NDR requires State driver licensing officials to submit data on drivers whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been denied, suspended or revoked for cause, or who have been convicted of certain serious traffic-related violations. Although States use the NDR as part of their driver licensing process, it is the responsibility of the State to maintain the accuracy of the data submitted to the NDR. The NDR functions as the repository of the data but cannot make any changes to the data. The States maintain the sole responsibility for the issuance and renewal of all driver licenses; which includes suspension/revocation actions that have been taken against your driver privilege. Reinstatement requirement must be resolved directly with the State which has taken the action against your license. A list of all motor vehicle administrations can be found at www.onlinedmv.com.

  • How do I dispute a record found on the NDR?

    • If you would like to dispute a record found on the NDR, you would need to contact the SOR or the State that reported the pointer.

  • I need my driver license report for a prospective employer. Can I obtain this information from the NDR?

    • No. The NDR does not contain driver history records on every licensed driver. The NDR only contains information that will point to a State holding driver history records. If you need a driving record, you must obtain this information from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the State in which you are licensed, or have held a license in the past. The websites of the States' motor vehicle administrations are located on the following website: www.onlinedmv.com

  • Can I receive NDR information over the telephone or by internet?

    • No. The Provisions of the Federal Privacy Act and the NDR Act prohibit the NDR from providing information from our database over the telephone, internet, or by fax. Other individuals, including spouses and lawyers, cannot request information over the telephone on your behalf.

  • How long does it take to receive my information?

    • All requests for information are processed on a first come, first served basis. The NDR will strive to respond to requests within 45 days.

  • How can I get my information faster?

    • You may expedite our receipt of your request by using Federal Express (FEDEX) or United Parcel Service (UPS). However, please keep in mind that all requests are still processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • I received a letter from the NDR, but I don’t understand the status. What does it mean?

    • - No Match: The individual does not have record a on the NDR.
      - Licensed (LIC): Licensed means the individual holds a license in that State and the privilege to drive is valid.
      - Eligible (ELG): The individual is not licensed in the State but is eligible to obtain a license there drive or apply for a license in a State(s) is valid.
      - Not: The individual privilege to drive in a State(s) is invalid.
      - NEN: The individual privilege to drive in a State(s) is invalid due to a non-moving violation.

  • What is a disclosure and what does it mean when a record has been disclosed?

    • A disclosure is when a "probable match" has been found on the NDR based on an inquiry whether from a State or in response to a privacy act request, and the record is disclosed to the inquiring party.

  • My record has been purged, can it still be disclosed?

    • No. It is no longer available to be disclosed to anyone.

  • What do I need to do if my driver license has been suspended in another State?

    • You must contact the State(s) in question to learn how to address the suspension and what is required to restore your driving privilege.

  • How long do records stay on the file?

    • Records stay on the file according to State record keeping requirements. To determine the length of time your record will stay on the file, you must contact the State of Record.

  • Can the NDR delete my Record from the file?

    • No. Since all records are the property of the State of Record, the NDR cannot delete a record.

  • How long does it take for a State to clear my record?

    • Time will vary depending on the State update process for their licensing systems. This information can be obtained in the State of Record.

  • How can I contact the NDR?

    • You can contact the NDR Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. by calling our toll free number at 1-888-851-0436. If you are in the Washington, D.C area, you may call us at (202) 366-4800.

  • If you are an employer of motor vehicle operators

    • As part of your safety program, you may request an NDR file check on a current or prospective employee if they are seeking employment or are employed as a driver. The employee may go to the local motor vehicle agency and ask for an NDR file check. We have provided, for your convenience, the Current or Prospective Employee Form which can be downloaded and then completed by the employee. This form should be submitted to the State in which the employee is licensed. Any information you receive from the NDR should be made available to the employee. If you receive information from the NDR indicating that an individual is on file you will be provided with the name of the state, the address and telephone number in order to request a copy of the driver record to verify that it is the same individual. Any information on the NDR file that was reported by the states during the past 3-years will be disclosed.

  • Air carrier information for pilot applications

    • The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA) requires an air carrier, before hiring an individual as a pilot, to request, with the individual's written consent, the Chief Driver licensing official of a state to perform a National Driver Register (NDR) file check.

      The National Driver Register (NDR) no longer accepts Pilot File Check Request Forms directly from individuals or air carriers. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30305, the request(s) must be submitted through the driver licensing agency of a State.

      The Texas Department of Public Safety will process these requests for a nominal fee. Currently the fee is $4.00 per application. Please contact the Texas DPS for additional information at (512)424-2010 or at the address below:

      License Issuance Bureau
      Texas Department of Public Safety
      P.O. Box 15999
      Austin, TX  78761-5999