Applicant's National Driver Register and Certifying Declaration

Instructions to Pilots

This is the final item prior to saving and submission. The topic is the much discussed among pilots, but requirements for making your driving record available should come as no surprise to aspiring aviators. This necessity has been around since there were driving records. You must give permission to acccess information about you from national databases. Item 20 is the National Driver Register and Certifying Declarations. Read the text carefully and select the Yes radio button. Selecting No will prevent you from submitting the exam. Don't waste any more time if you are not going to give this required consent. If you are worried about something, your imagination may be worse than reality--get the facts. Discuss your driving record with your flight instructor or your AME. Irresponsible behavior is not condoned in the pilot community, but depending on circumstances it is possible to fly again after a single DWI/DUI. Consenting to the driver background check on the Form 8500-8 is mandatory if you choose to pursue or continue a career (or hobby) that takes you into the public airspace. It is best to be honest early and seek approval early and press on with a realistic career choice. FlightPhysical.com has the information you will need if you think you have substance abuse problems including information about the HIMS program.

Instructions for AMEs

In addition to making a declaration of the completeness and truthfulness of the applicant's responses on the medical application, the applicant's declaration authorizes the National Driver Register to release the applicant's adverse driving history information, if any, to the FAA. The FAA uses such information to verify information provided in the application. Applicant must certify the declaration outlined in this item (Item 20). If the applicant does not certify the declaration for any reason, the AME will not issue a medical certificate but must forward the incomplete application to the AMCD. 

The Pilot's Bill of Rights goes on to explain that by answering Yes under No. 20, Applicant's Declaration, you permit the FAA to request information, if any, pertaining to your driving record from the National Driver Register (NDR). The FAA will then match such NDR information with the information you provide on the medical history part of the form. Since the NDR identifies only probable matches, the FAA will verify the NDR information it receives with the state of record. You have the right to request an NDR file check to determine if it contains any information and, if so, the accuracy of such information. Notarized requests may be sent to: DOT/NHTSA/NTS-32, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590-0001, and must contain your complete name and date of birth. Other information about height, weight, and eye color will help the FAA ensure correct positive identification.