National Driver Register
The National Driver Register (NDR) maintains a database full of information on drivers in the United States. The database contains information like license status (Suspended or revoked) and serious violations such as Driving under the influence. This information is added, maintained, and deleted by the Motor Vehicle Information of the state the driver is registered with. The NDR is a division of the National Center for Statistics and Analysis under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is important to note that the NDR doesn’t contain every driving record, and it is not completely free from errors.
How can the National Driver Register be used?
The National Driver Register can be used for many different reasons. As an individual you can request your own record under the privacy act of 1974. Licensing officials will use it to see if you are eligible for a license. Employers may use as part of a transportation background check it if you do some form of commercial driving. The National Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration will use it for accident investigations. Federal agencies will search it as part of an employment background check.
Possible NDR Status Outputs
- No Match: The individual does not have a record on the PDPS
- Match: The individual does have a record on the PDPS
- Licensed (LIC): Licensed means the individual holds a license in that state and the privilege to drive is valid. (Only drivers who previous had a suspension/revocation and have cleared their history are included here.)
- Eligible (ELG): The individual’s privilege to drive or apply for a license is valid
- Not Eligible (NELG): The individual’s privilege to drive is invalid.
Problem Driver Pointer System
The National Driver Register also maintains a database called the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). This database is checked by the Motor Vehicle Agency whenever someone applies for a driver’s license, as either a new applicant or a renewing applicant in a participating state. If someone is reported as a problem driver to this system, the licensing state must investigate the driver’s history. Depending on the results of the investigation, and the laws of the state in question, they may be required to deny the license. The PDPS also makes it difficult for someone to obtain more than one copy of their driver’s license at any time. For more information about what states participate in the Problem Driver Point System check here.
