How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record?
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Did you recently receive a speeding ticket or citation? Are you wondering about the difference between a citation and a ticket? People use both of these terms interchangeably to refer to the legal document given to drivers who commit traffic violations, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
Regardless of its official name, a speeding infraction goes on your driving record and is reported to your insurance company. Depending on the severity of the violation, a ticket may affect your insurance rates or your insurance premium.
However, the good news is that this kind of violation is usually only on your record temporarily. How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record? On average, you can expect a speeding offense to remain on your record for several years, but it varies by state.
State-Specific Regulations
State-specific speeding ticket regulations vary considerably, affecting how long the speeding ticket stays on your record. While a general range is within a few years, some states deviate significantly.
For example, in Alaska, speeding tickets remain on your record for one year, but in Montana, they remain permanently. Therefore, how long speeding tickets stay on your record depends on where the infraction occurred.
Most states have a points system for traffic citations. Speeding tickets, as a type of traffic ticket, add points to your driving record. The number of points assigned typically correlates with how much you exceeded the posted speed limit.
Unique State Laws Regarding Speeding Tickets
State laws dictate specific fines and point assignments for traffic citations, so each state is unique regarding exactly how long a speeding ticket may stay on your record.
For example, in Alabama, a speeding violation of 1 mph to 25 mph over a posted limit results in 2 points, while a violation of 26 mph or more over the posted limit results in 5 points. Point accumulation can affect your driving privileges, possibly resulting in a license suspension.
North Carolina has a DMV-based points system and an insurance point system, also known as the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP). The number of points a driver receives for a traffic infraction determines a surcharge that gets added to the insurance costs. If you drive 10 mph or less over a speed limit of 55 mph or less, you may receive a rate increase of 40 percent (ouch!).
In Virginia, driving 20 mph or faster over a stated speed limit is not a simple traffic violation — it's a criminal offense. The state considers such speeds reckless driving, and depending on the severity of the infraction, penalties can include license suspension, fines, and jail time. However, for less severe violations, the state may allow drivers to reduce points by attending a driver improvement clinic.
Impact on Driving Record
The effect or impact of a speeding ticket on your driving record depends on the severity of the infraction and state laws. Typically, the points for speeding violations increase with the recklessness of the violation. If you receive a ticket for going 5 mph over a posted limit, the point value is likely less than if you were going 25 mph over. That said, as you've read, the rules are different for every state.
Regardless, accumulating points on your driving record has several notable consequences, such as a suspended license and higher insurance premiums. Each state specifies timelines for point accumulation — typically a few years.
That timeframe doesn't necessarily affect how long a given speeding ticket will stay on your record, however. The exact period depends on state laws and rules. For the duration until it's taken off your record, an insurance company can use that infraction and any others on your driving record to determine the level of risk you represent.
Effect on Insurance Rates
How long a speeding ticket will stay on your record depends on several factors, including the severity of the violation and the state where the infraction occurred. Regardless of the circumstances, a speeding ticket affects car insurance rates in most situations.
The cost of that effect can vary greatly. That's why it's so important to maintain a clean driving record. Still, mistakes happen. While defensive driving can help you limit the risks of mistakes, speeding violations are common.
After you get a speeding ticket, your goal should be to limit the impact of any violations on your insurance record. Take advantage of any programs your state offers that allow you to defer points and judgments.
If your insurance rates jumped after you received a speeding ticket, you can look for another policy. Use the EverQuote comparison tool to compare several quotes at once. You can quickly assess which insurers offer the best rates for your record.