What is Considered a Clean Driving Record?

With so many things that are affecting people’s car insurance rates, from the make, year, and model of their vehicle to the location it is garaged in, people are always looking for the top ways to save money on automobile insurance plans. You can learn about how to save the most money on your auto insurance policy by reading the articles here at American Insurance. By adjusting the deductible on your plan, the amounts of your insurance, and taking numerous other actions, you can get the cheapest car insurance rates available for you. Shopping around and getting free quotes using the tools here at American Insurance will help you save the most money on your automobile insurance policy.

One way that people can lower their insurance coverage premiums and keep them at the lowest rates possible is to maintain a clean driving record. People who do not have a clean driving record already can take the time to practice and learn safer driving skills. Tickets come off people’s driving records after specified periods of time. The amount of time this is can vary from one state to the next, as different states have different laws when it comes to automobile infractions. Car insurance companies give better rates on average to people who have driving records that are free of accidents, free of moving violations, and free of points. They are also looking for a driving record that is free of claims in some cases.

What Is A Clean Driving Record?

When it comes to determining what a clean driving record is, keep in mind that each insurance company and employer may have a different definition as far as what it means. In most cases, a clean driving record is a driving record that is free of moving violations, accidents, or points. Some insurance providers argue that to have a clean driving record, you must also have no claims, as an example.

Employers may decide, on the other hand, to not take into consideration minor violations. People who have speeding tickets from a few years ago for 3 miles over the speed limit may not have their tickets taken against them by their employer. That said, some employers may still take issue with this type of ticket if driving is involved in the job. Some auto insurance providers also overlook minor automobile violations. In these cases, the car insurance provider may consider one or two moving violations on your record still to be a clean one.

Regardless of whether you have a clean driving record or not, it is highly recommended to not lie to your insurance company or on employment application forms about your driving record. In terms of insurance itself, lying about your driving record can be considered insurance fraud and can have hefty penalties. While a minor moving violation will not disqualify you from cheap car insurance, or prevent you from getting a better job, lying about it has a much higher likelihood of doing so. Both insurance providers and employers can pull court records to get the details of your case in many situations. Using the CLUE report, insurance companies have access to the last seven years of people’s driving history, sometimes more.

How Can I Check My Driving Record?

A person’s driving record will show every violation they have had going back 7 to 10 years, though verbal warnings and some parking tickets might not be included in the record. Regardless of whether it is an incident where you are speeding or one where you are driving without insurance or fail to yield, it will appear on your driving report. Your record will include every major and minor violation dating back that amount of time. Some states keep driving record reports for more years than others.

Severe violations like driving under the influence or a hit-and-run can remain on your driving record for up to 10 years, while many other more minor violations can disappear from your record after 3 to 5 or more years. Checking your driving record can be done by contacting your local DMV. In some cases, people can check driving records online as well. If you are unsure of what is in your driving record, contacting your Department of Motor Vehicles is a smart plan. You will want to work to remove points from your driving record and/or work to get a clean driving record. Doing this can help you save money on automobile insurance policies. In some cases, having too many points on your license can also result in a driver's license suspension or the inability to register your vehicle.

How Can I Get A Clean Driving Record?

The best way to get a clean driving record is to practice safe driving. There are defensive driving courses that can help, but mostly, paying attention to street signs and laws, not driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and maintaining a valid insurance policy and automobile registration are top ways to maintain a clean record. Your violations will drop off of your driving record after a time, leaving you with a clean record.

If you feel you have gotten a ticket that you should not have, and it affects your driving record, you can choose to fight the ticket in court. While this can cost time and/or money, it can be worthwhile in the long run. Some people choose to hire lawyers to represent them in these types of cases.

How To Remove Points From Your License

Removing points from your driver’s license can sometimes just take time. After specific periods of time, violations will drop off of your record. Some offenses will drop off after as little as three years, while others can stay on your record for up to seven years or longer. In some situations, there are other ways for people to remove points from their driving record and end up with a clean one. In some states, there is a requirement for a person to pay a fine to remove points from their license. Other DMV’s require people to sign up for defensive driving courses to remove certain types of points. Depending on the state you are living in, the requirements for removing points can vary.

Some people can have the points removed from their record by contacting their local Department of Motor Vehicles. If a person, for example, needs a clean driving record to get a job they applied for, the DMV may choose to work towards removing the points. Even if the points are removed, the incident that caused the points is likely to remain on your record.

Final Notes

Having a clean driving record can have a positive effect on the rates you pay for car insurance. If you have recently had a violation that will affect your car insurance rates, wait until your current car insurance plan is up before switching to a new company. Your rates will not go up for the rest of your auto insurance term. Also, make sure to use the tools at American Insurance to get the best prices for car insurance for your situation. Different auto insurance providers use different formulas to determine a person’s rates, so shopping around and comparing prices before getting a new policy can be beneficial.