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Public Abstract Request System (PARS)

Benefits/fees | Confidential information |Driver record abstracts | Criminal background check | Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act | Password management | Requesting a PARS account

PARS is a secure online service that allows authorized accountholders to receive driver record abstracts quickly and easily using the Web. Participants have instant access to driver record abstracts delivered via Portable Document Format (PDF) images.

PARS includes two program options:

• DMV Official Transcript Information program (DOTI). PARS allows account holders to view and print current driver record abstracts from a secure Web browser. Typical account holders include insurance companies, attorneys, school bus contractors, businesses, and other large volume requesters.
• Employer Notification program (optional), PARS provides employers with current information regarding the driving record of their employees who hold a commercial driver license (CDL). Any employer who owns or leases commercial motor vehicles or assigns a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle can belong to this program. Employers of non-commercial drivers are not eligible. The Employer Notification program will identify any enrolled CDL holder with recent activity on their driving record.

Benefits/fees

• There will be no waiting for abstracts to arrive in the mail.
• There are no annual fees for the Web-based service.
• No enrollment or minimum monthly user fees.
• No charge for adding/moving employees to and from the Employer Notification program.
• There is a $5 charge for each abstract search that is generated. Type carefully, requesting driver records with incomplete or inaccurate information will result in incurring a fee with a "No Record Found" abstract being generated.
• Payment - fees will be automatically debited using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Upon enrollment, authorized systems users will need to provide bank account information to setup their ACH account. The Automated Clearing House (ACH) system is a secure, private network that connects banks to one another by way of the Federal Reserve Board or other ACH operators. This network enables secure electronic payments to be processed.

Driver record abstracts

Driver record abstracts are computer-generated images of DMV's driver records. Most driver record entries are retained for the preceding five years; however, certain convictions can result in a driver record being retained indefinitely.

Driver abstracts contain the following standard information:

• Name and address
• Driver license or identification card number
• Gender and date of birth
• Former names
• Dates and types of traffic convictions, accidents, restrictions, and withdrawals

Password management

You must obtain a Wisconsin Login Account to request access to PARS. The state's Web Access Management System (WAMS) allows authorized individuals to access state Internet applications using the same means of identification for all state Web applications. Each PARS users must have their own unique Wisconsin login account. Logins and passwords cannot be shared. Instructions for obtaining a WAMS password will be provided as part of the application procedure.

Confidential information

Social Security numbers are used for driver licensing purposes and are not available to the public. Identification (ID) card information is also confidential and can only be released to the courts, district attorneys, county corporation counsels, city, village or town attorneys, law enforcement agencies, the ID card holder, or to the parent/legal guardian of an ID card holder who is under 18 years of age.

Criminal background check requirements

Users of PARS with direct access to the DMV data are required to have a criminal background check performed. The criminal background check must be conducted by the requesting agency or business. DMV will not authorize access until documentation is received from the requester about the type of background check that was conducted and the results for each employee requesting access. The background check will consist of a name/date of birth check.

For organizations based in Wisconsin, the check can be performed through the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). An “online record check” is acceptable and preferred. If you select “Online record checks for credit card customers,” the process will be online and you do not need to establish an account. If the requester does not have a credit card or does not want to use it online, the forms can be mailed in, but the cost is $5 more per name. The cost per background check is established by DOJ. A private vendor may be used in lieu of a DOJ check provided the background check meets or exceeds the DOJ background check.

If the requesting agency or business resides outside of Wisconsin, a background check may be performed by a private vendor or by the state agency responsible for criminal background checks in the state that the organization resides. The DOJ may not be used for organizations based outside of Wisconsin. Background checks must be completed prior to being given access to PARS and each time the contract is renewed.

Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act

The Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act requires that an MV2896 (DPPA) form accompany any request for driver record information. This form is provided with the application materials.

Requesting a PARS account

Account requestors will receive application materials which includes a PARS contract and form MV2896. Only one MV2896 form needs to be completed as part of the application process. PARS contracts expire three years from the date of enrollment.

To obtain application materials, contact:

Citations and Withdrawals Section
P.O. Box 7917
Madison, WI  53707-7917

• E-mail: pars@dot.state.wi.us 
• Call: (608) 266-0928 

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All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Driver Services, pars@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: May 27, 2008