Does a Ticket in a Different State Affect Your License and Insurance?

No one likes to receive a traffic ticket. They always come with the knowledge that they might affect your auto insurance rates or driver’s license. But what happens if you get a traffic ticket in a state other than the one you live in? The answer to this question is actually a little more complicated, so read this guide to learn everything you need to know on the matter.

Insurance

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to keep your traffic ticket from affecting your insurance policy. Regardless of what state you are in when you receive the ticket, your insurance provider will probably find out about the ticket and change your rates accordingly.

Different insurance providers have different policies when it comes to traffic tickets, so it is not a guarantee that your rates will go up. Additionally, there is a chance your insurance provider will not find out. Whether or not they find out, there is nothing you can do to influence it one way or the other.

Driver’s License

Sometimes a ticket will result in points being put on your license. If you receive too many points, you can have your license taken away. Luckily, you can almost always have the points from a ticket removed by going to traffic school.

If you get a ticket in a state other than the one you live in, your home state may or may not learn about the ticket and apply points to your license. There is an agreement between states called the Driver’s License Compact. States that have signed this agreement share traffic ticket information with other states that have signed the compact. The states that have signed the Drivers License Compact are:

  • Georgia
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin

If you live in one of these states and receive a ticket in a different state, or receive a ticket in one of these states while living in a different state, chances are very good that you will not receive any points on your license. It is not a guarantee, but the chances are good.

If you do not live in one of these states or receive a ticket in one of these states, then your only options for avoiding the points is to contest the ticket or attend traffic school. If you still have any questions about any of these matters, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney, like a traffic ticket attorney in Newark from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C., who specializes in traffic tickets as soon as possible.