How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record?
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Every state is different, but a traffic ticket will often stay on your record for at least three years. It could affect your car insurance rates and ability to drive.
The specific amount of time depends on your record. There are three places a speeding ticket has an impact:
- The document where your state keeps track of your driving history
- Your car insurance rates
- Your driving privileges
These each work a little differently. And they can depend on how severe the violation was, the number of tickets you've received recently and your state's laws.
How long does a ticket stay on your record?
Once you've been convicted of a traffic violation, minor offenses, such as getting a speeding ticket or running a stop sign, most commonly stay on your record for about three years. But the time differs by state.
For example, in California, speeding tickets disappear after 39 months. In Virginia, though, they last at least five years, depending on how far over the speed limit you were driving.
More serious driving convictions, such as a DUI or reckless driving, usually stay on your record far longer — possibly permanently.
In New York, driving while intoxicated (DWI) will stay on your driving record for 15 years, but in Florida it will be on your record for 75 years. And in states like New York, some serious violations, such as vehicular homicide, may stay on your record forever.
How long do license points affect your driving privileges?
Your state may consider citations, convictions or points accumulated only in a limited time frame to decide if you can drive.
In the 41 states (plus the District of Columbia) that use a point system to determine driving eligibility, those points only count toward license suspension for a certain amount of time.
States that don't have a point system also typically limit how long a violation will impact your driving privileges. But the formulas are more complex. For example:
- In New York, points affect your driving privileges for 18 months, but in Idaho they last for three years.
- In Minnesota, which doesn't use points, your license is suspended for 30 days if you commit four traffic offenses in one year or five offenses in two years.
You're also likely to face stricter requirements if you are younger.
How to reduce the points on your license
In some states, you can reduce the number of points on your license by taking a defensive driving course.
- Taking a defensive driving class doesn't technically reduce the number of points you have or clear your driving record. But it keeps you from losing your license.
Completing a defensive driving course may also lower your car insurance. For example, in New York, a class will reduce your insurance premium by 10% for three years.
Classes may be offered in person or online; what's available depends on where you live Defensive driving classes generally cover:
- Driving techniques
- The times of day that are most and least safe to drive
- Other driving-related statistics
How long a ticket will up your insurance rates
In most cases, a traffic ticket could increase your insurance rate for up to three years.
Your rate increase will be highest in the beginning but could gradually decline over time. More serious violations, such as DUIs, have much more severe and longer-lasting consequences. Depending on the severity of the violation and how recently it occurred, some insurance companies may not offer you coverage at all.
In these cases, you may want to turn to a nonstandard insurance company for coverage. They specialize in providing insurance to people with imperfect driving histories.
What doesn't affect your insurance
Not all tickets will change your insurance rates.
- Companies are usually only concerned with violations that occur while driving your car, such as speeding tickets and accidents.
- A parking ticket, for example, won't make your insurance go up.
- Additionally, any ticket you had overturned or erased from your driving record won't affect your rates, regardless of how long ago it happened.
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