How To Clear Up Your Driving Record After a DUI

Every year, millions of people in the United States receive traffic citations for offenses, ranging from speeding to driving while intoxicated (DUI) or failing to stop at a traffic light or stop sign. It’s not always easy to keep a clean driving record. To keep track of transgressions, many states employ a point system. The larger the number of points, the more serious the offense. Of course, amassing a large number of points for a series of minor infractions over a short period of time isn’t ideal, either. If you accumulate too many points, your driver’s license may be suspended. You may pay more for vehicle insurance if you have a lot of points on your driving record. No points, on the other hand, equates to what most people refer to as a “clean driving record.” Here are some tips on how you can clear up your driving record after a DUI.

What Is a Clean Driving Record?

A clean driving record indicates that you have had no (or few) traffic offenses or accidents on your record. You will be penalized for any points or fines you have received. While the definition of a clean driving record varies by insurer, even minor traffic violations can result in higher insurance premiums. Some insurance providers may consider your record “clean” if you just have one or two minor moving offenses in the last three years or longer. Have you submitted a large number of claims? That could also work against you. Your driving record may reveal information regarding potentially dangerous driving habits. Failure to pay penalties, failure to appear in court, numerous accidents, and other behaviors can all fall under this category.

A Public Record

Your driving record is available to the public. It’s important to know what it looks like, especially if you’re looking for vehicle insurance. To obtain a copy of your driving record, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It’s possible that you’ll have to pay a little cost. If you already have auto insurance, you can ask your insurer for a copy of your motor vehicle summary, which they may have on file and be prepared to supply for free. Make a thorough review of your driving record to verify there are no mistakes. If you see an error, contact the DMV right once. Taking care of faults is the quickest approach to clear your driving record!

How To Get Your Driving Record Cleared

You don’t have to live with your driving record for the rest of your life. It changes over time, and the best way to clear (and retain) your driving record is to drive properly and respect all traffic regulations. Meanwhile, you can take steps to help you maintain a clean driving record. If you believe you were wrongfully cited or charged, begin by contesting your citation in court. While it’s normal to challenge major accusations like a DUI, if you can prove the allegation was erroneous, consider going before a court to contest smaller infractions as well. Even minor infractions can result in higher insurance prices. Make an effort to notify a judge if you were not at fault or did not break the law. Explaining the situation to the judge may result in the charges being reduced or even dismissed. You might wish to hire a traffic lawyer to help you fight the charges.

Expungement

Expungement of a driver’s record is a possibility, although it usually necessitates the assistance of a lawyer. An expungement seals your record, permanently erasing the traffic violation from your driving record. In most cases, it’s as if the offense never happened. The seriousness of the offense determines whether expungement is worthwhile.

When it comes to expungement, state laws differ. Some states do not have an expungement process in place for minor traffic violations. To be eligible for expungement, drivers must meet certain requirements, which vary by state. Before an expungement application can be considered, a certain number of years must have passed after the conviction date. Expungement is frequently reserved for first-time offenders.

Contact a local traffic lawyer to learn more about the requirements for expungement in your state and whether this is an option for you. Although a motorist can file the expungement application with the court on their own, it is a time-consuming process. The do-it-yourself approach can lead to incorrectly filled-out paperwork, which could be the end of your claim.

Taking Courses

If you need to improve your driving record, attending some classes can assist. Customers who complete and pass a defensive driving course may qualify for cheaper insurance rates, while others may provide course discounts. If a motorist successfully completes the course, certain jurisdictions will remove points from their record.

The Look-Back Period

Car insurance providers are only authorized to look at a summary of your vehicle report, not the whole report. Accidents and movement offenses are among the items on their list. This summary also contains information about someone who has been convicted of a driving offense. The look-back period—or how far back the insurance company can check your record—is determined by state law. The average time span is between three and five years. Depending on the state, DUIs may have substantially longer look-back periods. After the look-back period expires, the infractions are no longer factored into the premium calculation.

Shop Around

While all drivers should search around for vehicle insurance, those with a poor driving record should do so even more so. Certain insurers may not penalize you as harshly as others for past offenses on your record. Look for insurance providers that specialize in covering high-risk drivers. If you are looking for a company that handles SR-22 high-risk insurance quotes in Washington, reach out to Serenity Group today for a great price!

We hope you have enjoyed our article on the top ways you can clear up your driving record after a DUI! While it can be stressful to deal with a DUI, we ensure that partnering with a company such as Serenity Group can greatly improve and ease your situation. Be sure to reach out today!