DUI In California – How Long Does it Stay On My Record?

Reader’s question:

How long does a DUI stay on your record in the state of California and is there a way that the years of penalty can be reduced?

Holly

Good question Holly.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that any California offense will appear on your driving record 10 years from the violation date. This is a new legislation thus extends the reporting period from seven to ten years for DUI offenses.

This new law allows the insurance companies to have access to the driving record of the motorist to properly apply the new provision of the Insurance Code. This would determine the eligibility of the the drivers discount. Motorist with a DUI violation occurring within the past 10 years are not entitled to received such discounts like Good Driver discount.

You may not be able to qualify for the good diver discount until 10 years from the date of the violation under this law. You may contact your insurance company regarding other information on your premiums.

There are no exceptions in this law. The reporting period of ten year applies to all non commercial drivers, even to those who maintain a clean driving record thereafter.You may contact the Department of motor vehicle to find out if theres any way that you can get the DUI off your record before the ten year period.

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

I Got a Speeding Ticket In Wisconsin But Live In California

Reader’s question:

I live in California and I got a speeding ticket while traveling in Wisconsin. I paid the fines already, can I take on-line course to have the ticket removed?

Kyle

Thank you for asking.

California is a member of the Drivers License Compact. This means that your home state as well as the other member states will report any traffic violations their licensed motorists received from the out of state. Wisconsin is not part of the DLC but it does not mean that the California Department of Motor Vehicle will not be informed about the ticket you received in Wisconsin.

Since you already paid the fine, it seems that you’ve already been convicted of the speeding violation. This information would have already been transferred and and put in your driving record. There is no type that of driving course or traffic school that can removed from your record the ticket that you received in Wisconsin. You may still contact the California DMV and verify if there is an on line class that you can take or any other options that you have to have the the ticket removed from your driving record.

Once the ticket has been put on your record and has assigned points to it, I dont think California will allow for this information to be removed from your record. It is going to be 1 point for the out of state speeding ticket in California.

You must get an approval from the clerk of the court from the county where you received the ticket and ask them if you can take the driving school in California.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

How Do I Get a Replacement Driver’s License in California?

Reader’s question:

My father said he lost his driver’s license and he cant find it due to poor eyesight. What can he do to get a replacement in California?

Bem

Good question Bem.

If the senior did not pass the vision test, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will give a supplemental driving performance evaluation to check if the individual can compensate for the vision condition. The license may be revoke once the result shows that the driver is unsafe to drive. The senior driver may also request for a hearing after the notice of revocation.

Since your father lost his driver’s license, you can get a copy by filling out a form with the DMV. You will be able to check if his license has been suspended or revoked. If you think that your father has been driving illegally in the state of California, you may a write a letter regarding all the information to the driver Safety Office.

His policy may still be in effect if the insurance company didn’t notice that he has an invalid license. If your father gets caught driving with an invalid license, then he will be cited for the conviction and the vehicle may be towed or impounded for 30 days.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

California Car Insurance Law – What if I Drive With Out Insurance?

Reader’s question:

Is it illegal in California to drive a car without insurance?

Rica

Yes.

The California state laws requires all motorist to register or renew the registration and that you show proof of insurance. It is mandatory that all vehicle owners and drivers carry certain liability insurance.

The minimum monetary limit are the following:

$15000 for injury or death of one person per accident
$30000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
$15000 for property damage per accident

Tha state of California requires evidence of financial responsibility to be carried at all times in their vehicle. California states law states that unlicensed or those with invalid driver’s license car owners are subject to the same financial laws as valid California licensed drivers.

To drive legally in California you will need to get California auto insurance. You can get affordable quote online. Check individual websites to find out more whats right for you.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

I live in California But Got a Speeding Ticket in New York

Reader’s question:

I got a ticket for speeding in New York but I live in California. If I take a traffic school, will it be erase on New York and California?

Markus

Good question.

New York and California shares information on the traffic citation of their drivers information, received under the terms of the Drivers License Compact but they do not have the same point system. In New York, for example, the speeding ticket for 11-20 mph over the posted limit is a 4 point offense. On the other hand, California speeding is a 1 point system offense whether it happened in or out of the state.

You will need to verify with the court in NY where you received the speeding ticket if the ticket can be erased or not recorded if you take the driving school. It may also be possible that the ticket or conviction will not be transferred to the state of California if you take a driving course.

If the conviction is transferred in California, it will be placed in your driving record and points will be assigned. If you take a driving school in CA, it must be approved by the judicial officer in the county where the citation was received.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Can I Legally Drive in California With an Out Of State License?

Reader’s question:

Is my Washington state drivers license accepted in California?

Anna

Good question Anna.

It would really depends in the situation if your Washington state license would be accepted or not in the state of California. If your car is registered in Washington state and just visiting in California, usually your Washington coverages would conform to the California auto insurance requirements.

If you are attending school in CA and still have the valid license and still keeping your WA residence, your Washington insurance may still cover you in California. Cases like this, you will need to call your insurance company to make sure that your coverage will still be in effect while you are out of state.

If on the other hand, you moved to California, you will then have to register and insure your vehicle in California with an insurance company. If your insurance company in WA does business in CA then it would be simple and easier for you. Your agent will just simply change it over to the California state.

It is also best to contact you insurance company to check if your Washington insurance would be effective in the state of California and discuss the specifics of your coverage. The California Department of Motor Vehicle will provide you information if your Washington state insurance coverages will be accepted California.