With all the driving people are expected to be doing over this holiday weekend, I thought it would be a great time to revisit a prior post about what happens if you get a speeding ticket in another state and how that affects your driver's license.
Obviously, this article is titled for people who got a speeding ticket in another state, but the information is just as relevant if you received any out of state traffic ticket.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that just because you drove into another state that is different from your "home" state, and you got a ticket in another state, it doesn't necessarily mean the points will transfer to your home state driver's license. This is really the most important part to be concerned about.
As you know, points are the main thing to be worried about. They can cause your license to be suspended and they can cause your insurance to increase. If you take nothing else away from this article, let it be that "POINTS ARE BAD" and you don't want points on your license.
If you have a Florida driver’s license, and you receive an out of state ticket from any state (besides Florida obviously), if you pay the ticket, you will receive points on your Florida driver’s license if the violation is an offense that carries points in Florida.
For example, if you receive a speeding ticket in another state, and you just pay the ticket, Florida will treat that ticket as if it were received in Florida AND put points on your driver’s license.
Now, as a reader of this blog, you would NEVER just pay a ticket (I hope you are nodding in agreement here), as we've covered the many reasons why. Now we can add yet another reason why that's such a terrible idea. Because even if you aren't in Florida and get a ticket, Florida will treat that traffic ticket as if it was given in Florida, and you will get points on your license if you pay it.
What makes this matter confusing, is that it does not work the other way around. Meaning, if you are visiting Florida, and you have a driver’s license from another state, and get a ticket in Florida, the ticket does NOT automatically transfer to your home state. You must check with your home state to see how you will be affected.
Here's a bonus tip for all you New Yorkers who visit Florida in the winter. New York will not transfer points onto your New York driver's license if you get a ticket in Florida. Does that mean you should just pay a Florida traffic ticket if you get one? (I hope you are nodding with me here) NO!
Just because your home state isn't going to put points on your driver's license doesn't mean the ticket won't appear on your record and that doesn't mean your insurance company won't raise your rates. That's why it's so important to ALWAYS FIGHT YOUR TICKETS.
Again, every state is different and you need to check with your Division of Motor Vehicles for your home state.
I hope that clarifies some of the confusion regarding out of state traffic tickets. Of course, if you are still confused, or just want to fight your ticket, you can always click here.
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