9 Investigates

9 Investigates DMV making millions selling personal information

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of people wait in lines daily outside North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offices across the state.

They are there to renew a driver’s license or pick up a new plate.

But the information that they give to the DMV doesn't stay in DMV offices. Channel 9 has learned that the information is sold to companies across the country.

From your car model to your home address, the NCDMV is legally making millions by selling personal information.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act bans state DMVs from disclosing personal information, but there are 14 exceptions, including for government agencies and insurance agencies.

It's a fact not shared with drivers.

Channel 9 made a public records request and received a list of companies that have purchased the data since 2012.

Four companies have purchased millions of records in the last four years. Each has its own clients who have access to the data.

Two of the companies, Explore and Insurance Information Exchange, give the data to insurance companies and agents.

Included in the information that Envision gives its clients is whether someone has an expired license or a DWI.

LexisNexis gives information to insurance companies and government agencies.

"Public records data from LexisNexis Risk Solutions is used by various professionals such as insurance companies, police officers, banking compliance officers and government agencies for verifying information such as identity, address and other public records," Regina Haas, director of media and analyst relations for LexisNexis, said.

“The use of DMV records provides insurers with the necessary information they rely upon to underwrite new auto insurance policies and at renewal. This data helps consumers obtain a fair premium for their insurance coverage, often at a discount from the standard rates."

The state charges at least 3 cents per record. Since 2012, 51,156,967 records have been sold, bringing in more than $1.6 million for the state's highway fund.

Not only can the information on your license be sold, you can't opt out if you don't want it in the hands of a third party.

After months of emailing the DMV for answers, Channel 9 took questions directly to the head of the NCDOT, Nick Tennyson.

"The DMV engages in this process because it is mandated by statute," Tennyson said.

A state law requires North Carolina to disclose the information if it meets one of the exceptions to the federal law.

Tennyson insisted that there is nothing to worry about.

"No one should be worried about their data being compromised," Tennyson said.

But Channel 9 learned that there has been a violation in the past. A spokesperson for the NCDMV confirmed that one company was denied access to future records after it violated state and federal policies regarding the information that it had already received.

Drivers to whom Channel 9 spoke to said instances like that make them nervous.

"I have my child here trying to get her first job, and I don't want anyone getting hold of her information," motorist Raylonda Cohen said.

The spokesperson for the NCDMV did not provide Channel 9 with the name of the company that was banned.