18 USC § 2724 - Civil action

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s2724"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 2724 - Civil action"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "2724"
section_name: "Civil action"
chapter_number: 123
chapter_name: "PROHIBITION ON RELEASE AND USE OF CERTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM STATE MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 103–322, title XXX, § 300002(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2101.)"
---


# § 2724. Civil action

**(a)** **Cause of Action.—** A person who knowingly obtains, discloses or uses personal information, from a motor vehicle record, for a purpose not permitted under this chapter shall be liable to the individual to whom the information pertains, who may bring a civil action in a United States district court.

**(b)** **Remedies.—** The court may award—

**(1)** actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages in the amount of $2,500;

**(2)** punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law;

**(3)** reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and

**(4)** such other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 103–322, title XXX, § 300002(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2101.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 3 years after , with provisions relating to release of personal information before the effective date and compliance after such date, see , set out as a note under .