...
State motor vehicle agencies provide the National Driver Register (NDR) with the names of individuals who have lost their privilege or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation.
Scope
When a person applies for a driver’s license, the state checks to see if the name is in the National Driver Register (NDR) file. If a person has been reported to the NDR as a problem driver, the license may be denied.
Regulatory citations
- None
Key definitions
- National Driver Register (NDR): 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.
Summary of requirements
Obtaining information. Who is legally authorized to receive information from the National Driver Register (NDR)?
- Any individual under the provisions of the Privacy Act
- State and federal driver’s license officials
- Current or prospective employers of motor vehicles operators
- Air Carriers for Pilot Applicants
- The Federal Railroad Administration and employers of railroad engineers
- The Federal Aviation Administration for airmen medical certification
- The U.S. Coast Guard for merchant mariner certification
- The National Transportation Safety Board
- Federal Highway Administration for Accident Investigations
How can drivers find out if they are listed in the NDR? Individuals are entitled, under the provisions of the Privacy Act, to request a file search to see if they have a record on the NDR. They can download the Individual Request Form, complete it, have it notarized, and mail it to the NDR. Requests cannot be faxed.
Drivers can also take the completed form to their local motor vehicle agency and, for a small fee, they will send the request to NDR. In either case, NDR will send a response directly to the driver.
Employers request of information. As part of an organization’s safety program, it may request an NDR file check on a current or prospective employee who is seeking employment or is employed as a driver. The employee may go to the local motor vehicle agency and ask for an NDR file check. The Current or Prospective Employee Form can be downloaded and then completed by the employee to allow the information to be given to the employer. This form should be submitted to the state in which the employee is licensed. Any information received from the NDR should be made available to the employee. If an employer receives information from the NDR indicating that an individual is on file, the employer 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 three years will be disclosed.