The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the first in the United States to update its data system, enabling the electronic sharing of all driver records with other states. Launched April 10, the process modernizes Wisconsin’s system from paper to all electronic, allowing the real-time exchange of information.
“States have long been required by federal law to electronically share driver history records for commercial driver license (CDL) holders. However, the sharing of major driving convictions from one state to another for non-commercial drivers has been primarily done via paper notices sent by U.S. mail,” DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman explained. “While most DMV customers will not notice any change, this new electronic process is an important part of improving the timeliness and accuracy of record sharing across state lines.”
When drivers move from one state to another, their driver history record is sent to the new state. This new State-to-State verification process:
- Allows states to share driver history data electronically, which will help form a more complete driver record that stays with the driver’s primary state of residence.
- Determines if the applicant currently holds a driver license or identification card in another state.
- Provides real-time data exchange. This prevents people with major driving convictions in one state from getting a license in another due to delays in receiving conviction information.
All 50 states send CDL driver data electronically. Modernizing Wisconsin’s system from paper to all electronic expands the current data exchange to now include Wisconsin’s 4 million regular drivers.
This new process is another step in Wisconsin DMV’s efforts to improve its efficiency by automating manual processes. Last year, nearly 560,000 driving citations were received and processed.
More states will follow Wisconsin in adding their non-commercial pointers for real-time electronic data sharing. Nine states, including Minnesota, are expected to be transmitting conviction information and driver history for all types of licenses by year’s end.
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Source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
