DMV confidentiality election
A state-level filing that goes beyond the federal DPPA — it removes your home address from DMV records that would otherwise be released to qualified requesters under DPPA's permitted-use exceptions.
What this protection actually does
The federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA, 18 USC §§2721-2725) restricts what state DMVs can disclose. But it has 14 "permitted purposes" carve-outs that let government agencies, insurers, fraud-verification services, and licensed PIs pull DMV records without your consent.
A state DMV confidentiality election is a separate state-law filing that adds an extra layer on top of DPPA. It tells the DMV to flag your record as confidential — and depending on the state, it can either narrow the permitted-purpose carve-outs or seal the record entirely.
How to invoke
The mechanics vary widely. Some states (CA, TX, FL) have a standardized form. Others require an affidavit through your agency. The CA Vehicle Code §1808.4 election covers an enormous range of covered personnel — peace officers, judges, prosecutors, corrections, firefighters, federal LE — and lasts permanently for retired peace officers upon request.
What it doesn't reach
DMV confidentiality binds the DMV. It doesn't bind:
- DMV records that were already disclosed. If a broker pulled your DMV record under a permitted purpose before you elected confidentiality, the data is now downstream and out of DMV's control. DPPA gives you a private right of action for downstream misuse, but the data is loose.
- Vehicle registration data sold via commercial channels. Some commercial broker files include vehicle registration data that was sourced from leaks, breaches, or third-party aggregators that were never bound to DPPA permitted-purpose certification.
- License plate readers (ALPRs). ALPR systems capture your plate from public roads. The data flow there is governed by separate state statutes (and increasingly by litigation — see the 2025-2026 wave of ALPR lawsuits).
We sweep brokers continuously. The DMV election is the durable layer; broker removal is the active layer.
State-by-state coverage
Per-state protection level for dmv confidentiality. Tap any state for the full state guide.
Strong coverage
17[Ariz. Rev. Stat. §28-454](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00454.htm) — ADOT redaction for protected persons.
[Cal. Veh. Code §1808.4](https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-veh/division-2/chapter-1/article-3/section-1808-4/) — peace officers, judges, prosecutors, corrections, firefighters, federal LE. Permanent for retirees.
[D.C. Code §50-1401.01b](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-1401.01b) — release/use of personal info from motor vehicle records.
[F.S. §119.071(4)(d)2.a](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0119/Sections/0119.071.html) — FLHSMV form HSMV 96020 for officers, judges, families.
[15 ILCS 335/4(a-10)](https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=85&ChapterID=2&ChapNum=5&ActNum=140&SectionNum=7) — SOS confidentiality for public officials and peace officers.
[Ind. Code §9-14-13-3](https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-9/article-14/chapter-13/section-9-14-13-3/) — BMV confidential records related to LE.
[Iowa Admin. Code 761—Ch. 301](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/761.301.pdf) — DOT confidentiality for ACP participants.
[Minn. Stat. §171.12](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.12) — DPS confidentiality.
[Mo. Rev. Stat. §32.056](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=32.056) — DOR confidentiality election.
[Neb. Rev. Stat. §§60-2901 to 60-2912](https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/uniform-motor-vehicle-records-disclosure-act) — Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act.
[NRS 481.091](https://law.justia.com/codes/nevada/chapter-481/statute-481-091/) — alternate address on driver license/ID for eligible persons.
[N.J.S.A. 39:2-3.4](https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-39/section-39-2-3-4/) — MVC confidentiality form for officers, judges, prosecutors.
[Ohio Rev. Code §4501.271](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4501.271) — BMV confidentiality election.
[ORS 802.250](https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_802.250) — eligible-public-employee residence-address shield.
[Tex. Govt. Code §552.130; Tex. Trans. Code Ch. 730](https://law.justia.com/codes/texas/government-code/title-5/subtitle-a/chapter-552/subchapter-c/section-552-130/) — DMV confidentiality election layered on DPPA.
[Va. Code §46.2-208](https://law.justia.com/codes/virginia/title-46-2/chapter-2/section-46-2-208/) — DMV records confidentiality.
[RCW 40.24.030(4)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=40.24.030) — DOL confidentiality via ACP.
Moderate coverage
13[AS 28.10.505; AS 28.10.071(c)](https://law.justia.com/codes/alaska/title-28/chapter-10/article-8/section-28-10-505/) — Confidentiality of Motor Vehicle Records.
[Colo. Rev. Stat. §42-1-206](https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-42-vehicles-and-traffic/co-rev-st-sect-42-1-206/) — DOR confidentiality, limited.
[Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-10](https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/pub/chap_246.htm#sec_14-10) — DMV confidentiality, limited.
[21 Del. C. §305](https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/title-21/chapter-3/section-305/) — DMV privacy act.
[Idaho Code §49-203](https://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/title-49/chapter-2/section-49-203/) — DMV records disclosure rules.
[KYTC Communication Designation](https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/CD.aspx) — DRIVE confidentiality program, limited.
[29-A M.R.S.A. §255](https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-a/title29-Asec255.html) — DMV confidentiality for public safety.
[Md. Comptroller 1506](https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/about/field-enforcement-bureau/procedural-manual/1500/1506-confidential-registration.html) — confidential registration for limited categories.
[N.H. RSA 260:14](https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2023/title-xxi/chapter-260/section-260-14/) — DMV records disclosure restrictions.
[NCDOJ DPPA opinions](https://ncdoj.gov/opinions/drivers-privacy-protection-act/) — no specific state DMV officer-confidentiality, DPPA primary.
[51 O.S. §24A.5(1)(c); 18 USC §2721](https://oklahoma.gov/BOT/newsroom/2022/personally-identifiable-data.html) — partial DMV confidentiality.
[R.I. Gen. Laws §31-10.4-3](https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-31/chapter-31-10-4/section-31-10-4-3/) — DMV confidentiality, limited.
[Tenn. Code §55-25-107](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-25/section-55-25-107/) — DDS disclosure-for-purposes statute.
Weak coverage
20No state DMV confidentiality election identified, DPPA only.
No state DMV confidentiality election identified.
[GA DDS Privacy Statement](https://dds.georgia.gov/organization/about-us/dds-privacy-statement) — no state DMV confidentiality election for officers identified.
[HI DOT Privacy Policy](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2022/06/PRIVACY-POLICY-STATEMENT-HAWAII-HDOT-DRAFT-FINAL-6-3-22.pdf) — no state DMV officer confidentiality, DPPA only.
[K.S.A. 74-2012](https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch74/074_020_0012.html) — Division of Vehicles records disclosure, no specific officer carve-out.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
[Mass.gov RMV records](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-personal-information-in-rmv-records) — no state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
[MS Title 35.VII.1.01 (DPPA)](https://www.dor.ms.gov/sites/default/files/motor-vehicle-services/mvl_disclosurepacket.pdf) — federal DPPA only.
[61-11-508 MCA](https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0110/part_0050/section_0080/0610-0110-0050-0080.html) — permitted-disclosure statute, no specific officer carve-out.
[NY DMV DPPA page](https://dmv.ny.gov/records/drivers-privacy-protection-act-dppa) — no state-specific officer DMV confidentiality, DPPA only.
[N.D.C.C. Title 39, Ch. 33](https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c33.pdf) — DPPA-aligned, no specific officer carve-out.
No state-specific DMV confidentiality election for officers identified.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
[SDCL 32-5-147](https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-5-147) — no state-specific officer DMV confidentiality.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
[VT DMV DPPA page](https://dmv.vermont.gov/enforcement-and-safety/driving-records-requests/driver-privacy-protection-act) — DPPA only, no state-specific officer carve-out.
[W.Va. Code §17A-2A](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/17A-2A/) — DMV records, no specific officer confidentiality.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.
No state-specific officer DMV confidentiality election identified.