Who should be contacted to verify the status of a suspended license?

The most appropriate contact for verifying the status of a suspended license is the Secretary of State. Each state in the U.S. has a Secretary of State’s office that manages vehicle registration and driver licensing, including records of suspensions. This office maintains up-to-date information regarding the status of an individual's driving privileges, including whether a license is valid, suspended, or revoked.

In contrast, while the Department of Motor Vehicles also handles driver licensing matters, it primarily operates in certain states and may not be universally applicable. Local police departments typically deal with law enforcement and public safety issues rather than administrative checks on driving records. Insurance providers focus more on coverage and claims rather than tracking the administrative status of licenses. Hence, the Secretary of State is the designated authority for this type of inquiry regarding suspended licenses.