Get your driving record for a number of reasons. Your driving record is a key legal document that can affect your life in many ways, so it is important you review your record and are aware of what the status is. You should also police your own record to make sure any charges or points that are active on it are accurate. Your record is a key factor for setting your auto insurance rates. It is also used as a judgment both for and against you whenever you receive a traffic violation. If you have a long record, you will face stiffer penalties, while a cleaner record can lead to dismissal, reductions, and alternative sentencing for less severe traffic tickets. Additionally, employment can often be based upon how clean your record is. Certain jobs require a clean record for employment, and demand that record stays clean while employed. Though it depends on your state, you can get your record usually by phone, in person or over the Internet. Check online with your local government's website to see what your options are for obtaining your record, or use a third party company to assist you.