How Long Will DUI Charge Stay on my Record?

Reader’s Question:

Last 2005 I got a DUI in New Jersey but I now live in California. How long will it stay on my record and will it affects my record in my new state?

Harold

Good question Harold.

Your DUI conviction will stay as part of your permanent New Jersey driving record. Since you have moved already to California you should check with the CA Department of Motor Vehicles to check if they have placed this DUI conviction or any other moving violations that were previously on your New Jersey driving record on your California driver’s history.

California legislation extends the reporting period for DUI offenses from 7 to 10 years for all public requests, and that includes insurers.

The new law states that you may not be able to qualify for a good driver discount until 10 years from the date of your violation. Up until 2007 a DUI may have been considered by an insurance carrier for premium surcharges for a period of 7 years but now it can be considered for ten years in California.

Since your DUI happened out of state you may contact the California Department of Insurance, to get information on how long an insurance company in California can rate you on this NJ DUI from 2005. You may speak to your insurance agents if you have any more concerns regarding your insurance premiums.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

What Personal Information Do I Have to Give My Car Insurance Company?

Reader’s Question:

What information do insurance companies get if apply for a car insurance in California?

Ray

Good question Ray.

The insurance company or an agent will ask for certain personal information if you apply for a car insurance. This would help them determine if you are eligible for the coverage and they will be able to know the price for your coverage. The information that will be collected if you apply for a car insurance are; driving record, automobile mileage driven and years of driving experience.

A Motor Vehicle Report will be ordered for all the drivers on the insurance application by the insurance company on some states. The Motor Vehicle Report is an official record of a motorist that can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicle. This is being use to verify any traffic offenses, license revocation and any accidents of all driver’s listed on all application.

In case of any unsatisfied judgment, major traffic or moving violations. license suspension and failure to show liability insurance, a California Insurance Proof certificate or SR22 is needed. This is being filed by the insurance company to the Department of motor vehicles. Normally the requirement period is up to three years. Any minor convictions remains on the record for 3 years, 7 years for the major convictions like hit and run, reckless driving etc.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Will A Speeding Ticket in Canada Affect Me Here in America?

Reader’s question:

I received a speeding ticket while driving my boyfriend’s car in Canada. is it still going to show up on my insurance if I pay it? I live in LA California.

Christina

Thank you for asking Christina.

Your home state California is part of the Driver’s License Compact or what is known as DLC that requires all of its member states including California to report or informed the member state of all the moving violations by their licensed motorist. Although Canada is not part of the DLC, California may have the same agreement as well.

California Vehicle Code , Provision 13363 states that the Department of Motor Vehicle can suspend the license upon the notice of conviction of a person in a state of territory, district of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the Dominion of Canada of an offense which if has been committed in state, would be grounds for suspension of the privilege to operate a vehicle.

This means that the the convictions in Canada will still be reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicle. You may contact the California DMV to verify if the speeding ticket has been transferred to them or if points has been assigned already. The point assigned for a speeding ticket in California is 1 point.

This however will not show up on your friends record nor affect her insurance rate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

What Personal Information Do I Have To Give To Get Car Insurance Online

Reader question:

When I get my car insurance online, what kind of information do they get on me?

Martin

Thank you for your question, Martin.

Every time that you apply for car insurance online, you will have to, of course, fill out an application with certain information, such as your name, age, and so on. In addition to that, your car insurance company or agent will then require some extra information and then seek out some more. They will need:

• Your annual mileage on your vehicle.
• Driving history.
• Number of years you have been driving.

Using this information, they will then determine what the price of your coverage will be for buying your car insurance online.

Your driving history is contained on your motor vehicle report, which gets its information from the California department of motor vehicles. This will have the dates and quality of any moving violations you have been ticketed for, any license suspensions, as well as any car accidents. The report will also be acquired for any other people who will be on the policy you are buying of insurance online.

If you get into bad trouble, then you may be required to provide your car insurance company with an SR22 form. Normally, you will have to continue with your SR22 filing for three years after the date that your license is restored to you. I say restored because you only get an SR22 after your license has been suspended, though not in all cases of license suspension. Even though your company only has to file the SR22 form for only three years, though, the conviction will usually stay on your record for seven and you will be charged the high rates accordingly.

The SR22 form is different from the SR1 form, so don’t get confused. Anytime that you get into an accident where somebody gets hurt, or when the amount of the damages is above $750, you will need to file the SR1 form within ten days with the department of motor vehicles in your area.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.