Television shows make it seem easy to obtain information about others through their plate number or driving record, but in reality, there are laws that protect our privacy from another’s curiosity. We often think I saw it on TV so it must be true! There are many ways we can keep the safety of our vehicles intact, not only through the law but through technology. If you are someone who commands a fleet of vehicles and must keep on top of where they are at all times, then having eld compliance (Electronic Logging Devices) software is a necessity. You can keep your vehicle/s as safe as you can by following the best protocols and reading up on the law.
Here are the facts: The manner in which driver license or motor vehicle record information may be released is regulated by the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (or DPPA), 18 USC 2721-2725 and Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
??If I give you a plate number, can you tell me who owns the vehicle?
Only if you meet the privacy requirements in federal and state law for obtaining a Motor Vehicle Record. (See next question for details.)
??How can I get a Motor Vehicle (Driver or Vehicle) Record?
A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is the computer printout of a driving or vehicle record. The manner in which driver license or motor vehicle record information may be released is regulated by the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (or DPPA), 18 USC 2721-2725 and Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
The DPPA requires you to have a “permissible use” for requesting and receiving an MVD record which contains personal identifying information (e.g., a person’s driver license photo, social security number, driver license number, name, address and medical/disability information). The Motor Vehicle Record Request form lists those permissible uses. (We have provided a list of the permissible uses below.)
If eligible, you can obtain a copy by completing a Motor Vehicle Record Request form #46-4416 and submitting $3.00 for an uncertified record (3-year for driving record) or $5.00 for a certified record (5-year for driving record). Your signature on the form must be notarized.
What are the “permissible uses” for which Motor Vehicle will release an MVD record? (Be sure to read these “permissible uses” to be sure that you qualify before attempting to apply.)
1. For use by any governmental agency, including any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a government agency in carrying out its functions.
2. For use by an attorney licensed to practice law or by a licensed private investigator in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative or arbitration proceeding in any court or government agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to a court order. Note: If you check this box, you will also have to provide a professional license number and a court name and case number, if available.
3. For use by any insurer that writes automobile liability or motor vehicle liability policies and that is under the jurisdiction of the department of insurance or insurance support organization or by a self-insured entity or its agents, employees or contractors in connection with claims investigation activities and antifraud activities (the kind that may end with people wanting to learn more about their legal standing in the situation), rating or underwriting.
4. For use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial driver license that is required under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. 31301 through 31317).
5. For any other use in response to requests for individual motor vehicle records if the state has obtained the express consent of the person to whom the personal information pertains.
6. For use by any requester if the requester demonstrates he or she has obtained the written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains. (Signed and notarized Consent to Release Motor Vehicle Record-One-Time, form #96-0463, must be attached.)
Only if a box is checked for one or more of the six permissible uses above may the requester specifically request the person’s driver license photo or medical/disability information.
7. For use in connection with matters of at least one of the following: (a) Performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and dealers, (b) motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research, (c) removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers.
8. For use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or its agents, employees or contractors, but only: (a) to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business or its agents, employees or contractors; or (b) if the information submitted is not correct or is no longer correct, to obtain the correct information for the purpose of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedies against or recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual. Note: If you check this box, you will need to provide your federal tax identification, vendor or professional license number and the name of the applicable licensing agency.
9. For use in research activities and for use in producing statistical reports if the personal information is not published, re-disclosed or used to contact individuals.
10. For use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles.
11. For use by any licensed private investigative agency or licensed security service, as indicated by an additional permissible use. Note: If you check this box, you must check a second permissible use.
12. For use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities.
13. For any other use that is specifically authorized by law and that is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety, including the following (you will be required to check at least one more of the following):?13a. Use by a financial institution or enterprise under the jurisdiction of the Department of Financial Institutions or a federal monetary authority;?13b. Use by a motor vehicle dealer who is licensed and bonded by the Department or a state organization of licensed and bonded motor vehicle dealers;?13c. Use by a person who is involved in an accident or the owner of a vehicle involved in an accident if the person who requests the information submits proof to the Department of involvement in the accident;?13d. Use by a person applying for a bonded title if all of the following conditions exist: (i) The requester verifies to the satisfaction of the Director that the vehicle on which the requester is requesting the record is in the requester’s possession; (ii) the record is requested in order for the requester to notify the registered owner of the requester’s intent to apply to the Department for a bonded title; and (iii) the requester provides a verification of a vehicle inspection that was performed by an authorized Department employee or agent.?13e. Use by an operator of a self-service storage facility who alleges both of the following: (i) That the vehicle on which the operator is requesting the record is in the operator’s possession, and (ii) that the record is requested to allow the operator to notify the registered owner and any lien holders of record of the operator’s intent to foreclose its lien and to sell the vehicle.
May I obtain a copy of my own record?
Yes. You will need to fill out a Motor Vehicle Record Request, but there is no requirement regarding permissible uses. You will only need to fill out the form, show identification and pay the fee.??I would like to obtain a Motor Vehicle (Driver or Vehicle) Record.
What do I do now?
Just come into any Desert Title location, fill out the Motor Vehicle Record Request, and we will quickly take care of you. There is no appointment needed.