Every state charges its own fee for a driving record, and every state sets its own processing time. There's no single national price — despite what some sites imply with a flat "$2 to $25" range. This guide breaks down exactly how those fees are structured, with verified, sourced figures for the states below, and it's expanding over time. If you haven't requested your record yet, start with how to get your driving record; if you're deciding which version to order, see certified vs. uncertified records.
How Driving Record Fees Are Typically Structured
Almost every state prices its driving record along two independent axes, and understanding both explains most of the price variation you'll see:
- Record length (lookback period): many states charge less for a shorter-history record (often 3 years) and more for a longer one (7 years, 10 years, or a full/lifetime history).
- Certified vs. uncertified: a certified copy — carrying an official seal or stamp — usually costs the same or a few dollars more than an uncertified one, and in several states it isn't available online at all, only by mail or in person.
A few states also offer a free, view-only version with limited detail — Ohio and Georgia both do, for example. Across the states verified below, official fees range from free (basic online viewing) to around $21 for a certified copy. Third-party "record lookup" sites often charge more than the state's own fee for the same document.
Verified Fees & Processing Times, by State
These figures come directly from each state's official motor vehicle agency (or, where noted, from multiple consistent secondary sources) and are current as of publication. Fees change — always confirm on the official site before paying.
| State | Agency | Uncertified / Basic | Certified | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | DMV | $2.00 (online) | $5.00 (by mail) | Online: instant · Mail: varies |
| Texas | DPS | $4.00–$7.00, by record type | $10.00–$20.00, by record type | Online: instant · Mail: 15–21 business days · No in-person option |
| Florida | FLHSMV | $8.00 (3-year) | $10.00 (7-year, complete, or certified) | Online: instant · Mail: about 1–2 weeks |
| New York | DMV | $7.00 (online, called an "Abstract") | $10.00 (mail or in person) | Online: instant · Mail: about 2 weeks |
| Illinois | Secretary of State | — | $21.00 (online, includes card fee) · $20.00 (mail or in person) | Online: instant · Mail: 10 business days · In-person: mailed in 11–15 business days |
| Ohio | BMV | Free (basic online view) | $5.00 (official copy, online or mail) | Online: instant |
| Georgia | DDS | Free (2-year view) · $6.00 (3-year) · $8.00 (7-year/lifetime) | Same fee as non-certified, but mailed rather than instant | Online (non-certified): instant · Certified: mailed |
| Washington | DOL | — | $15.00 (online, mail, or in person) | Online: within 24 hours · Mail: 7–10 business days · In-person: same day |
| Pennsylvania | PennDOT | Reported $9–$15 (sources disagree) | Reported $10–$46 (sources disagree significantly) | Non-certified: instant online · Certified: mail or in person only |
Why Pennsylvania Doesn't Get a Single Number
Most states above were straightforward to verify — one figure, consistent across the state's own site and independent sources. Pennsylvania wasn't. Reputable-looking sources reported certified-copy fees ranging from $10 to $46 for what appears to be the same product, and non-certified fees ranging from $9 to $15. Rather than pick one and present it as settled, we're showing the range and recommending you confirm directly with PennDOT before paying. This is exactly the kind of inconsistency that shows up across the driving-record-information space more broadly — treat any site (including this one) that states a fee without a source or a date with some caution.
States Not Yet Listed Here
This page covers a verified sample so far, not all 50 states — we'd rather show you fewer numbers we've confirmed than a full table padded with unverified ones. For any state not yet listed, use the process in how to get your driving record to find your state's official portal, where the current fee is always listed before you pay. We're expanding this table over time; if your state isn't here yet, check back.
Certified Copies Usually Cost More — But Not Everywhere
In most of the states above, certified costs the same as non-certified, or just a few dollars more. Georgia and Illinois are notable exceptions: the certified and non-certified fees are identical, and the only real difference is delivery — certified takes longer because it has to be printed, stamped, and mailed rather than downloaded instantly. See certified vs. uncertified driving records for how to know which one you actually need before you pay for either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some states charge more than others for the same document?
States set these fees independently, and they're generally meant to cover the state's own processing and record-keeping costs rather than follow any national standard. There's no federal fee schedule for driving records.
Is it ever free to get your driving record?
In a few states, yes — Ohio and Georgia both offer a free, view-only version with limited history. Most states, however, charge for any copy, even a basic uncertified one.
Do fees change often?
They can, though not on a predictable schedule. That's the main reason this page cites sources and a publication date rather than presenting figures as permanent.
Why does mail take so much longer than online in some states, and not others?
It mostly comes down to whether the state's online system can issue the certified version. Where it can't — Georgia and Pennsylvania, for example — a human has to print, certify, and mail the certified copy, which adds one to three weeks even though the same state's non-certified copy might be instant.
Sources & Methodology
Figures above were verified directly against each state's official motor vehicle agency site:
- California DMV
- Texas DPS
- Florida FLHSMV
- New York DMV
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Ohio BMV
- Georgia DDS
- Washington State DOL
Pennsylvania's figures are reported from multiple secondary sources that don't agree; no single source is cited as authoritative for that state. Fees, record-tier structures, and processing times are set independently by each state and change periodically. This guide reflects information current as of publication — always confirm the current fee on your own state's official site before submitting a request or payment.
This article is for general educational purposes only and isn't legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, contact your state's motor vehicle agency directly.
Next step: Fees aren't the only thing that varies by state — how far back a violation actually stays on your record does too. See How Far Back Does a Driving Record Go? State Lookback Periods.
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