Short answer: The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) limits disclosure and use of specified personal information in state motor vehicle records. It is not a general federal privacy law for every location ping, driving score, camera clip, or other data generated by a connected car. Those data may be subject to other laws, state rules, company commitments, or enforcement orders.
What information does the DPPA cover?
The DPPA’s starting point is a particular kind of record—not simply any information about a driver or vehicle. Federal law defines a motor vehicle record as “any record that pertains to a motor vehicle operator’s permit, motor vehicle title, motor vehicle registration, or identification card issued by a department of motor vehicles.” 18 U.S.C. § 2725(1)
Within that scope, “personal information” includes identifying details such as a person’s photograph, Social Security number, driver identification number, name, address (but not a five-digit ZIP code), telephone number, and medical or disability information. The law separately defines “highly restricted personal information,” for which additional limits apply. The precise statutory definitions and exceptions matter when assessing a particular record or disclosure. 18 U.S.C. § 2725
How does the DPPA restrict DMV disclosures?
The core restriction applies to a state DMV and its officers, employees, and contractors: they generally may not knowingly disclose or make available personal information obtained in connection with a motor vehicle record unless the disclosure falls within a statutory permission. The law also restricts recipients from knowingly obtaining or disclosing DMV-record personal information for a purpose the DPPA does not permit. Highly restricted information has its own express-consent requirement and listed exceptions. 18 U.S.C. § 2721
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That is not a blanket rule that every DMV disclosure requires the driver’s consent. Section 2721(b) allows specified uses, subject to the details and limitations in the statute. Examples include:
- Government agencies carrying out their functions.
- Vehicle or driver safety and theft matters, including emissions, recalls, and advisories.
- Legitimate business needs connected to a transaction initiated by the individual, such as verifying information.
- Civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceedings.
- Insurance activities.
- Some research and statistical uses, subject to restrictions on redisclosure and contact.
The statute also permits a use specifically authorized by the law of the state holding the record when related to vehicle operation or public safety. Whether a particular disclosure qualifies depends on the exact statutory clause and any applicable limits. 18 U.S.C. § 2721(b)
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Does the DPPA cover GPS and connected-car data?
Not merely because the data is about a driver or vehicle. Connected services may collect information such as precise location, driving behavior, biometrics, video, and other telemetry. Whether a rule applies depends on what the information is, how it was collected, who holds it, and the law or commitment governing that entity and use. The DPPA alone is not a general connected-car privacy code. The FTC has described privacy and financial-welfare concerns associated with connected-car data collection, use, and disclosure. FTC, “Connected vehicles are data privacy and security issues on the road”
It is useful to keep three data categories separate:
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| Data category | Typical source or holder | Main framework |
|---|---|---|
| Personal information in a DMV-issued record | State DMV or contractor; permitted recipients | DPPA definitions, disclosure restrictions, and permitted uses. 18 U.S.C. § 2721 |
| Event-data-recorder (EDR) information | Vehicle EDR | Driver Privacy Act of 2015 provisions, separate from the DPPA. 49 U.S.C. § 24302 |
| Connected-service or telematics information | Automaker, service provider, or another company | Applicable state and federal rules, company notices and consent, and any specific enforcement order. FTC’s GM/OnStar order |
For any category, consider who collected or holds the data, whether it is a government record or a data stream, what rules govern the entity and purpose, and which access or deletion controls are actually available. An opt-out or accessory associated with one service does not necessarily control other data paths.
What law applies to event-data-recorder information?
EDR information has a separate federal framework under the Driver Privacy Act of 2015. The statute says, “Any data retained by an event data recorder … is the property of the owner, or, in the case of a leased vehicle, the lessee.” It limits access by others to specified circumstances. That framework concerns EDR-retained data; it should not be treated as an extension of the DPPA’s DMV-record rules. 49 U.S.C. § 24302
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What does the FTC’s GM and OnStar order require?
In January 2026, the FTC finalized an order with GM and OnStar concerning covered connected-vehicle data. For the order’s 20-year term, it requires affirmative express consent before covered collection, use, or sharing, subject to exceptions; a way for U.S. consumers to request a copy of their data and seek deletion; and specified controls, including opt-out or disabling options. The order also bars disclosure of covered geolocation and driver-behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for five years. These are requirements for the order’s respondents, not a universal rule for automakers, and they do not arise from the DPPA. FTC, January 2026
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can you do about DMV records or car data?
- Identify the service. List the vehicle’s connected services and the accounts or enrollment choices in use.
- Read the current privacy notice. Look for the data categories collected, purposes, recipients, retention, and available controls.
- Ask the provider directly. Ask the automaker or service provider what it collects, shares, and retains, and how to request a copy or deletion where available.
- Check the controls you actually have. Review account settings and in-vehicle menus for access, deletion, location, disabling, or opt-out options; availability differs by service and provider.
- Use the relevant DMV’s guidance for DMV records. State procedures and additional protections vary. California, for example, describes the DPPA alongside additional California information-practices and vehicle-code provisions; that is a state-specific example, not a nationwide summary. California DMV privacy information
If you suspect someone knowingly obtained, disclosed, or used DMV-record personal information for an impermissible purpose, the DPPA provides for a civil action. Whether a particular situation supports a claim depends on its facts and applicable law; this overview is not an assessment of an individual case. 18 U.S.C. § 2724
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