Understand Driving Record Points, Auto Insurance and Traffic School
Driving Record Points & Hearings Drivers who violate enough traffic laws to accumulate enough points to potentially lose their license are permitted to partake in a hearing before a hearing officer.
During the hearing, the driver can provide pertinent information about his prior traffic violations and explain why he performed such actions.
He'll also have the opportunity to tell the hearing officer why he didn't contest certain traffic tickets.
A driver who faces the prospect of losing his license should embrace the hearing as an opportunity to explain how he's being proactive to develop better driving skills.
If you find yourself in such a situation and you drive with a high frequency, point out your yearly mileage to the hearing officer.
Then explain that your frequent driving is part of the reason why you've accumulated so many tickets.
If your line of work requires that you drive extensively, you should also make note of that.
If you are the head of your household and drive your children and spouse on a frequent basis, make a note of it at your hearing.
Shedding light on all of these factors may go a long way in helping you hold onto your license.
If your license is revoked, be patient.
You must wait before reapplying for a license.
Once eligible, you might be required to pass the driver's license exam or participate in a reinstatement hearing.
Insurance Most insurance companies permit a single moving violation across a 3 to 5 year span, though the specifics of these standards differ by state laws and unique insurance company policies.
Drivers who accumulate more than one moving violation in this time period will face hiked automobile insurance premiums.
If you are in an automobile accident, your premiums will likely increase.
However, if you've been ticketed, you can potentially avoid a premium hike by contesting the ticket or by participating in traffic school.
Traffic School A driver who pays his ticket and successfully completes traffic school will not accumulate points from the traffic offense.
The course requires 6 to 8 hours of time and a fee but it is better than the alternative.
An increase in your automobile insurance rates will likely be much more costly than the cost of the course and the time that it requires.
While it requires a time investment, it is a better strategy to avoid points on your license in comparison to contesting the ticket in traffic court.
Each jurisdiction has a unique traffic school policy.
Some only permit drivers to attend traffic school one time per year while other jurisdictions will only allow drivers to participate once every two years.
It is also important to note that certain jurisdictions have laws that bar drivers from attending traffic school if they are caught speeding 15 miles per hour above the speed limit.
Certain states mandate that drivers enroll in a traffic school course by meeting with a court clerk or by appearing in front of a judge.
Some permit drivers to participate in an online version of traffic school.
Don't immediately discount traffic school as a boring experience that won't hold your interest.
Many traffic schools have taken great measures to become more marketable in order to entice potential customers.
Some take an entertaining or humorous approach that will keep participants actively engaged with the typically dry subject matter across the course's 6 to 8 hours.
During the hearing, the driver can provide pertinent information about his prior traffic violations and explain why he performed such actions.
He'll also have the opportunity to tell the hearing officer why he didn't contest certain traffic tickets.
A driver who faces the prospect of losing his license should embrace the hearing as an opportunity to explain how he's being proactive to develop better driving skills.
If you find yourself in such a situation and you drive with a high frequency, point out your yearly mileage to the hearing officer.
Then explain that your frequent driving is part of the reason why you've accumulated so many tickets.
If your line of work requires that you drive extensively, you should also make note of that.
If you are the head of your household and drive your children and spouse on a frequent basis, make a note of it at your hearing.
Shedding light on all of these factors may go a long way in helping you hold onto your license.
If your license is revoked, be patient.
You must wait before reapplying for a license.
Once eligible, you might be required to pass the driver's license exam or participate in a reinstatement hearing.
Insurance Most insurance companies permit a single moving violation across a 3 to 5 year span, though the specifics of these standards differ by state laws and unique insurance company policies.
Drivers who accumulate more than one moving violation in this time period will face hiked automobile insurance premiums.
If you are in an automobile accident, your premiums will likely increase.
However, if you've been ticketed, you can potentially avoid a premium hike by contesting the ticket or by participating in traffic school.
Traffic School A driver who pays his ticket and successfully completes traffic school will not accumulate points from the traffic offense.
The course requires 6 to 8 hours of time and a fee but it is better than the alternative.
An increase in your automobile insurance rates will likely be much more costly than the cost of the course and the time that it requires.
While it requires a time investment, it is a better strategy to avoid points on your license in comparison to contesting the ticket in traffic court.
Each jurisdiction has a unique traffic school policy.
Some only permit drivers to attend traffic school one time per year while other jurisdictions will only allow drivers to participate once every two years.
It is also important to note that certain jurisdictions have laws that bar drivers from attending traffic school if they are caught speeding 15 miles per hour above the speed limit.
Certain states mandate that drivers enroll in a traffic school course by meeting with a court clerk or by appearing in front of a judge.
Some permit drivers to participate in an online version of traffic school.
Don't immediately discount traffic school as a boring experience that won't hold your interest.
Many traffic schools have taken great measures to become more marketable in order to entice potential customers.
Some take an entertaining or humorous approach that will keep participants actively engaged with the typically dry subject matter across the course's 6 to 8 hours.
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