Under certain circumstances, you are entitled to receive information contained within databases that keep records about what has transpired in the life of yourself, others, or even a motor vehicle. If you are requesting your own information, you can access those records easily; if you are requesting information about others, you will need to meet set criteria and you may not receive complete information.

Background Checks

The information available through a background check is gleaned from public records and a variety of specialty databases. Because much of the information is open public information, you could theoretically conduct the same search yourself. However, that search would likely take you many weeks or even months to get the results you are looking for. Third-party providers take all the legwork out of getting those records in a fraction of the time for a reasonable fee.

What is revealed through a background check varies by company, but what you are likely to receive includes: Name, address, phone number, age, marital status (if public records exist). Education and employment information. Military and court records. Limited criminal information. Vehicle registration and driving records.

Criminal Records

Also known as criminal background checks, the information contained within a criminal record check will be more extensive than the basic information you might receive if you run a background check. These searches are used when you need a more inclusive review of a person's criminal record. The information is found through court records, police records and other criminal databases.

The information available may vary according to the service you order from, but most good providers will include: Name, age, known aliases, type of convictions, prison terms and identifying physical characteristics. Some will include any pending warrants. Remember that certain states have banned the release of information regarding arrests; only conviction information can be released.

DMV Driving Record

All states maintain files on every driver licensed in that state. These records keep a running record of whether your driver's license is currently valid, how many points are against your license, and sometimes, even what types of accidents you have been involved in.

Primarily, drivers order their driving records to check the status of the driver's license or to get a copy for a potential employer.

All states allow drivers to access their own driving records; in certain circumstances (such as a safe driving record being a requirement for hiring and continued employment) other people can request a copy of your driving record. Some states also allow parents to order driving records of their under-18 children.

Many states provide several ways to order your driving record: in person, by mail, via e-mail or by telephone. The majority of states also allow third-party providers to access your driving record information.

License Points

Most states use a type of "point system" to monitor a driver's ability to safely drive a vehicle on its streets and highways. Generally, a new driver starts out with a clean slate with zero points. If a driver is issued certain tickets for a driving infraction, the allotted number of points is assessed against the driver's driving record. Each state determines the number of points that correlate to a particular infraction, and how many maximum points a driver can incur before the state revokes or suspends their driver's license.

In many states, but not all, drivers can reduce their license point totals by attending defensive driving courses or traffic school. In some states whether you can lower license points is not the decision of the state's DMV but it's the decision of the courts and sometimes even the presiding judge or magistrate.

A potential consequence of getting too many points against your driving record is that your insurance premiums are likely to increase. And the worst case scenario is that your insurance provider may decide that you are not insurable and may choose to cancel your insurance policy.

Another possible impact of having a high number of license points is especially important for people employed in the driving and trucking industries. Getting too many points can jeopardize your employment--or influence a potential employer to not hire you in the first place.