Tips to clean your driving record
Your driving record not only accompanies you from the day you receive your first driver’s license until you stop driving, it also has a major impact on various aspects of your life.
Therefore, you must keep it as clean as possible. How to achieve it? Follow the 10 tips to clean your driving record that we share later.
A clean driving record tells insurance companies that you are a responsible and safe driver. In this way, they will be willing to offer you better rates on your car insurance .
Also, many employers are now using driving records to check the background of their prospective employees.
You should also keep in mind that when a record is bad, driver’s licenses can be suspended or revoked.
But don’t worry, in this article we will share the best tips to clear your driving record and clarify all the doubts you may have about the driving record in the US. Continue reading.
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10 tips to clean your driving record
Pay close attention, below you will find the best tips to clean your driving record .
1. Drive carefully
If you are careful you can save a lot of money, time and trouble . At-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and drunk driving violations are three common reasons for increased auto insurance rates .
An offense for driving under the influence of alcohol can increase annual insurance costs by 79%, according to an industry study.
If you avoid these traffic violations you can keep your insurance premiums at a more affordable price. Also remember that defensive driving is still the best way to stay safe on the road.
2. Check your driving history
There are three ways to get a copy of your driving record . First of all, the best approach is to pay about $10, depending on the state, to the DMV and get a copy online, in person, or by mail.
Second, if you have your driver’s license number, you can find out what information is listed through your insurance company. However, this report is not complete.
Third, you can use the services of an external provider. There are many online, but the cost is about double that of the DMV, and sometimes the reports have errors.
It is recommended to check the MVR when you think there might be changes. For example, about three years after a violation or after completing a driving course to make sure your points are deducted.
You should also review it before applying for any job related to driving.
Once you have it, look for errors like a ticket that should have been removed by traffic school or a camera violation when someone else was driving your vehicle. If you find an error, go to the next step.
3. Contact the DMV
Contact the DMV if you discover errors in your driving record . Ask how to get rid of errors, points, or fines, and what documentation you need to do so.
4. Take care of “Fix-It” fines
What is a “Fix-It” ticket? It is the one where you can take corrective action to rectify the situation. For example:
- Vehicle Registration Violations – Your vehicle had an expired license plate .
- Driving license violations: you forgot your license at home.
- Equipment Violations: You had a broken blinker.
- Insurance violations: You lost your insurance card.
- Proof or proof is usually all you need to prove to the judge or DMV that you have corrected the problem.
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5. Request deferral or expungement of criminal record
The deferment allows you to pay a ticket to the state to maintain a clean driving record after a ticket. If you remain ticket-free for the period, usually one year, the violation is removed from your record.
This procedure removes a violation entirely after a certain period of safe driving, such as five or seven years after a DUI.
6. Dispute the fines
Most people don’t contest tickets. They may want to avoid the hassle, missed work day, or time in court. However, it is entirely possible to win the case.
Often the police don’t even show up and the cases are dismissed. For example, the Washington Examiner found that people won 58% of all traffic ticket cases in Washington, DC
The National Automobile Association recommends always disputing tickets, whether you think you’ve made a partial mistake or not.
Present the facts, avoid excuses, provide documentation, and present extenuating circumstances. Your account of taking your child to the emergency room may be all the judge needs to dismiss the case.
7. Go to traffic school
They are also called defensive driving classes . Most courses last between four and 12 hours and can be completed online or in person depending on the state and sometimes the county.
Courses include topics on accident prevention, road awareness, and even vehicle maintenance.
Always check the list of pre-approved courses by the state. Also, the point systems and how often you can attend traffic school vary by state.
For example, California allows once every 18 months and can mask (not remove) a point, while Illinois and Texas allow you to scratch a ticket once every 12 months.
Note: Criminal and serious offenses, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, do not qualify for reductions for taking driving courses
8. Pay fines as soon as possible
The number of drivers who lose, misplace or simply forget to pay their tickets may surprise you. When a driver forgets to pay a fine, the state can suspend or revoke their driver’s license.
And your insurance rates can go up for several years for not paying a relatively small fine.
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9. Hire a lawyer
What if you have tickets for speeding, driving under the influence or a serious accident on your record? The consequences can be serious and it is best to hire a lawyer.
The average costs of a DUI are between $6,000 and $10,000, depending on the state.
Lawyers can handle your entire case, or you can pay to have them draw up specific documents and advise you on the best way to resolve your situation.
10. Wait for time to pass
Some bans just can’t be removed, so your only option is to wait. Three years is usually the maximum time, but a serious violation could take longer.
