Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the "Driver's Privacy Protection Act"?

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act or "DPPA" is a federal law (effective September 13, 1997) that regulates the release and sharing of information from motor vehicle records.

• It regulates how motor vehicle departments release motorists' records.
• It also regulates how the recipients of motorists' records subsequently share them.

What is the purpose of the Driver's Privacy Protection Act?

The purpose is to limit the release of motorists' personal information, such as name, address, and driver license number. However, the law does allow release for many clearly defined purposes.

What information does this new law restrict?

The DPPA limits the release of personal information. As stated in the DPPA (Sec. 2725 (3)):

''personal information'' means information that identifies an individual, including an individual's photograph, social security number, driver identification number, name, address (but not the 5-digit zip code), telephone number, and medical or disability information, but does not include information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, and driver's status.

(Note: The personal information restricted in New York under the DPPA is the name, address and driver identification numbers. In New York State, photos, social security numbers, telephone numbers and medical/disability information have never been publicly available, and are not available under DPPA even for a "permissible use." )

What information does the new law allow DMV to release?

The Department of Motor Vehicles may release almost all motor vehicle records, including "personal information", but only for a permissible use.
In addition, printed driver license abstracts without personal information are available in person or by mail from the DMV for those whose requests do not include DPPA certifications of permissible uses. This "masked" abstract will contain all license, conviction, accident and suspension/revocation information on the driver, but not personal information.

Will DMV remove personal information from any of its records, so I can get them without permissible use?

The only record that DMV will provide, without personal information, is the printed "Abstract of Operating Record" (driver license abstract). Keep in mind that this shortened version of the abstract will show license status and type, traffic convictions, suspensions, revocations and accidents, but NOT "personal information."

May I share with others the information I receive?

You may share personal information with others only if they have a permissible use. When you share this information with others, you must keep a record of the transaction for five years. Your record must include: whose personal information you shared, the identity of the recipient, and their use for the information.

What happens if I share personal information with someone who does not have a permissible use?

There are criminal fines and civil liabilities for knowingly violating the provisions and restrictions of the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.

Many motor vehicle records contain personal and non-personal information. You may remove the personal information from a record and share only the non-personal information if necessary.