You just received a speeding ticket. Perhaps you were a bit distracted, and that caused you not to pay attention to the speed limit. Now that you have a ticket, what happens to your driver’s license? Will it impact your auto insurance? Here is what you need to know about points and how they impact your
car insurance costs.
What Are Points?
Every state has a department of motor vehicles. This agency, along with state law, sets the rules for the roadways within that state. When someone violates those rules, he or she may have points added to their license. Not all states have a point system. Those that do assign a specific number of points based on the type of violation occurs.
When a person receives points, the department of motor vehicles adds them to the individual’s driving record. Over time, multiple violations will cause points to build. At some point, when the points add up to a specific value, the individual’s driver’s license may face suspension. However, if a driver receives points, over time, those points can drop off.
What Types of Violations Equate to Points?
The more dangerous the instance is, the more likely a violation will incur points. The most common violations to add points to a license are reckless driving and speeding. You generally do not get points for non-moving violations, such as parking tickets. However, illegal turns, failure to stop, and driving under the influence tickets will add points.
In addition to this, if you are the responsible driver in an accident that causes damages to another person or another person’s property, this can also add points to your license. Some states have also put point violations on tasks such as using a phone behind the wheel or texting while driving.
How Can You Learn about Your Points?
If you have points on your driver’s license, chances are good you want them to drop off. This can impact your auto insurance rates if you have multiple violations. The more points you have, the more of a risk you are to the auto insurance company. This can cause your car insurance rates to go up. To find out what is on your driver’s record, contact your department of motor vehicles. They can provide a printout of your points and when they will drop off.
Stay on top of your points. Keeping your record point-free helps to reduce your auto insurance costs.
Also Read: 5 Auto Insurance Blunders to Avoid