Somewhat OT- how can you check your driving record?

rpiper · 10-27-2003, 10:47 AM

I got a speeding ticket this summer (84 in a 55-ouch) and was wondering if there's a way to see if it is on my record? I have heard that if you pay extra, the DOT logs the ticket as having been paid but can't seem to deal with the extra funds and therefore it doesn't hit your record. I think this is a bunch of hooey but thought I'd try it anyways, so I made the check for $4 more than the fine. Now is there a way to find out?

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

It's an Urban Legend.

Slightly overpaying the fine for a traffic ticket will keep points off of your driving record

kstar · 10-27-2003, 10:59 AM

Bobby:

Urban legend re paying slightly more than fine to keep the ticket off one's "record":

http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/ticket.asp

I think you will need to visit your local DMV to check your record.

BR,

Kurt

edit: Paul beat me to it!

rpiper · 10-27-2003, 11:07 AM

figured as much! Thanks guys.

Randy Webb · 10-27-2003, 12:34 PM

But... you can check your record by filing a request under your state's public records act.

Rufblackbird · 10-27-2003, 12:41 PM

can't you get an abstract from the DMV or traffic court?

osidak · 10-27-2003, 12:57 PM

Check your states DMV website. In NC there is a link that allows your to request your driving record. They probably charge for it but I am sure the cost is minimal.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Contact your insurance agent. They request your record on a regular basis to see how you are doing and adjust your premium when a ticket hits.....there IS A REASON they are the richest corporations around.

Rufblackbird · 10-27-2003, 02:13 PM

it's $7 for Hawaii...

DG624 · 10-27-2003, 03:52 PM

Some states don't record out of state speeding tickets. I was living in KY and they never even required payment (no extradition) for out of state tcikets. I got a $140 ticket in Wis for 74 in a 65 (real speed trap) and avoided it because they wrote the wrong name on the ticket. If you take a drivers ed course they will let you avoid a ticket registering points but you still have to pay and do get it on your record.

I have done a lot of long distance commuting and suffer various speed traps mostly in rental cars. I did get a ticket for coasting down a hill in WVA at 84 mph (it doesn't count if you are coasting right?). Tickets are a problem and I am thinking of getting a detector. I have avoided them lately but many cities are short of money and need to make it up some way. If you decide to go to court sometimes the cops don't show up and they drop the case.

Ask the DMV and have your drivers licience # and SS#. The big question is who gives the best insurance rates for drivers with no accidents?

David · David's Garage

I'm not a big George W fan, but he did do one (actually a few) good things as governor for the drivers in Texas. He put a limit on the percentage of income a town could get from traffic violations. This made them very receptive to giving deferred adjudication. Which means you pay for the full cost of the ticket and after a given amount of time if you haven't gotten any more tickets they erase the record. I got the impression that they really never checked after the 90 days or however long. I used this approach with and without a lawyer and it works most of the time.

On a side note, one of the last times I was in traffic court, I noticed almost everyone had a lawyer. Oh well, at least our money's not going to insurance.