What are Oklahoma Public Traffic Records?
Oklahoma Public traffic records are known as Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) or Oklahoma Driver History Reports. These records are official documents containing an individual’s driving history information, including license type, license status, accidents, traffic violations, suspensions, revocations, and restrictions. Specifically, the motor vehicle record is accessible from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Are Traffic Records Public in Oklahoma?
An (MVR) or Driver History Report is a public record in Oklahoma. Interested persons may request personal driving records or another person’s driving record through the DPS’ Records Management Division. However, requestors may only access another person’s driving record if they are eligible to view the personal information of the record subject. Those eligible include;
- Insurance companies investigating a claim or adjusting a premium.
- Attornies handling a case
- Local, state or federal courts carrying out official businesses.
The Records Request and Consent to Release form (DPS 303 RM) contain a complete list of authorized or persons permitted to make these requests.
What Do Oklahoma Traffic Records Contain?
Motor Vehicle Records in Oklahoma contain the following information:
- Traffic violations
- Convictions
- License status
- Restrictions
- Revocation
- Accidents
- Commercial driver information
- Driving under the influence (DUI) charges
Does a Citation Go on Your Record in Oklahoma?
Some traffic violations or citations are included on driving records in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State uses a point system, and every traffic ticket adds to the points on a driver’s record. The number of points added is a function of the type and severity of the traffic violation. Specifically, moving traffic violations are included on an individuals record. Examples of moving violations that add points to an individual’s driving record include hit and run, driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.
Types of Traffic Citations in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the law enforcement agencies issue traffic citations for actions against traffic rules and regulations. These citations are broadly categorized into two: major and minor traffic citations.
Minor traffic citation: The citations in this category do not impact a driver’s record but result in points being added to the person’s driver’s license. Examples of these violations are infractions: Seatbelt violation, running over a pedestrian lane, running a red light, running an expired tag or license, and not having proof of insurance.
Major traffic citation: The state regards the violations in this category as criminal charges. These are either misdemeanors or felony traffic citations. Examples of these violations include leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of alcohol, vehicular homicide, driving on a suspended or revoked license, etc. The penalties for these citations ranges from fine to jail term or both.
Oklahoma Traffic Citation Lookup
Interested members of the public may access traffic citations in Oklahoma with eae. Requestors may visit the website of the appropriate superior court where the case was heard, in the county where the offense was committed. Likewise, the interested person can physically visit the local offices of the Records Management Division to look up traffic citations in the State.
How to Lookup My Oklahoma Traffic Records
Any individual interested in accessing motor vehicle records or traffic records in Oklahoma may contact the Oklahoma DPS Records Management Division. The individual can request the traffic records by mail, online or in-person.
Indeed, any individual requesting a motor vehicle record (MVR) by mail must complete the Records Request and Consent to Release form (DPS 303 RM) and pay the prescribed fee. If the person uses regular mail, such a person must send the request form and payment evidence to the Department of Public Safety, Records Management Division, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136.
Alternatively, individuals may send record requests via other mail services to the Department of Public Safety, Records Management Division, 3600N Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 7311. Individuals willing to make an in-person request may visit the DPS Records Management Division at the address above. However, the requester needs to go with the completed DPS 303 RM form and pay the prescribed fee.
People who want to order driving records online have to visit the Department of Public Safety website and pay the required fee. However, online requests attract an additional 2.50 dollars.
The Department of Public Safety mainly offers non-certified and certified motor vehicle records. The non-certified record attracts a fee of 25 dollars, while the certified record attracts a fee of 28 dollars. However, online requests attract an additional 2.50 dollars.
Remarkably, the State exempts any requester from 65 years and above from paying for a non-certified driving record. However, the person must pay three dollars for a certified copy. Individuals can pay for the driving record in cash through a certified cheque, money order, or cashier’s cheque.
Oklahoma Traffic Violations
A traffic violation in Oklahoma refers to any illegal activity committed by a driver while operating a vehicle. This can include speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield to pedestrians. Traffic violations can result in points being added to the offender's driving record, leading to increased insurance rates and even license suspension. In some cases, offenders may be required to attend traffic school or pay a fine.
Oklahoma has a point system for traffic violations, which assigns different values to different offenses. For example, speeding 1-10 mph over the limit will add two to an offender's record, while speeding 31 mph or more will add seven points. If a motorist racks up ten or more points within a year, their license may be suspended.
Certain traffic violations, such as DUI or hit and run, are considered more severe than others and carry stricter penalties. For instance, a first-time DUI offense in Oklahoma can result in up to 10 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a 180-day license suspension. A hit-and-run conviction can lead to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Oklahoma License Plate Lookup
License plates are important in traffic records because they help law enforcement officials identify the driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic incident. Oklahoma license plate lookups can be conducted using the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety website.
To conduct a license plate lookup, requestors will need the license plate number and the vehicle identification number (VIN). The website will then provide the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle. For further questions about license plate lookup in Oklahoma, contact the state's Department of Public Safety.
How to View Traffic Case Records for Free in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the state’s courts maintains records of all cases it hears. Typically, the superior courts handle traffic cases and maintain the case records, and interested persons may query these courts of Oklahoma traffic case records. Requestors can consult the Oklahoma Courts Website for the location, contact information, and website of any court of interest in the State.
Alternatively, requesters can ask for a court case through an online search portal located on the court website. The criteria for online access are the case number or the party’s full name. However, one drawback of online access is that not all courts have online search portals that people can access for court records.
Any individual making an in-person request may complete a request form (if available) or write an application and submit it to the court clerk of the specific court where the case was heard. The applicant must indicate the requested court case and the number of copies.
How Long Do Traffic Offenses Remain on Public Records in Oklahoma?
Traffic offenses stay on Oklahoma public records for only three years. As a result, citations or offenses for which an individual was convicted in Oklahoma only stay on the person’s MVR for three years from the date of conviction.
This is unlike the statute of limitations in other US States. For the most part, the length of time that a traffic offense remains on an offenders records varies with the severity of the offense. Sometimes, these offenses remain permanently on an individual’s record.
How to Remove Traffic Records from Public Websites in Oklahoma
Government agencies generate and maintain public records such as traffic records in Oklahoma. These records are also available on government websites and public websites. In effect, the continuous availability of these records on such websites may negatively impact an individual’s data. Individuals can therefore take steps to remove the records from these websites.
The first step in removing traffic records from public websites is to allow the appropriate courts to expunge or seal the records. The expungement of these records automatically makes the records unavailable to the public.
Secondly, any individual willing to remove private from public websites may have to get a designated phone number when filling out online or hard copy forms. Thus, such persons can substitute a personal number with this designated phone number. The third step is to get a P.O. Box to replace the person’s street or house address on online or paper forms.
After following the steps above, an individual has to visit the court clerk of the superior court that maintains records relating to the individual and request to update the P.O.box and designated phone number on the court records. This may help protect some personal information of the individual.
Alternatively, individuals may opt out of the various public websites by consulting with some third-party agencies that can help with it. These agencies monitor the process and ensure that certain records of individuals remain private. However, these third-party agencies require a fee for this service.
Do Motoring Offenses Affect Criminal Records in Oklahoma?
Most traffic violations are classified as civil traffic cases. These civil traffic cases are infractions, which do not appear on an individual’s criminal record. On the other hand, serious traffic offenses classified as misdemeanors or felonies are considered criminal traffic offenses. These offenses show on an individual’s criminal record.
Examples of traffic offenses considered criminal offenses include vehicular homicide, driving under the influence (DUI), leaving the scene of an accident, and driving on a suspended or revoked license. Therefore, being convicted for any of these traffic offenses is a serious liability risk for any individual.
