All state Departments of Motor Vehicles in the United States maintain and provide driving records in some fashion. These driving records are fundamental pieces of public information that document an individual’s driving habits and history. A driving record will provide a formal listing of all violations, suspensions and other details concerning an individual’s driving history. Because the driving record lists all infractions procured by a motorist, the document is used as a guideline to record points and determines an individual’s insurance rate. 

A resident of Texas may order a Texas driving record online, directly from the state government or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Also, 3rd party advertisers will offer Texas driving records to those interested. Regardless of the supplier, all orders for Texas driving records will cost a fee. 

Texas Driving records may be attained by the driver himself as a means to check their driving history or may be secured by a business to cross-reference the individual’s application and view his/her driving history. Businesses aligned with deliveries or that utilize automobiles will typically order driving records for prospective workers. 

In general, there are two types of Texas driving records: online driving records and certified driving records. Also referred to as Motor Vehicle Records, a certified driving record will provide a detailed list of all convicted traffic infractions and violations. Individuals may order these public records through the state or through independent vendors. The two types of driving records mentioned above will provide uniform information; the only difference between the two documents is how they are delivered to the individual—the online driving record is appropriately delivered via electronic mail while the certified driving record, which is typically sent by the state, will be delivered via traditional mail. 

To request your Texas driving record by mail, submit a completed DR-1 Application for Copy of Driver Record or a DR-36 Request for a Certified Abstract of an Operating Record and Fees to the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety

Attn: D.R.B/Certified Abstract

P.O. Box 15999

Austin, Texas 78761-5999

In addition to ordering your own driving record, you may also the driving record of someone else. To obtain a driver license record of someone other than yourself or to obtain multiple driving records (you will need an approved contract with the state’s Department of Public Safety), contact the Texas Driver Bureau. 

As stated above, there are two primary reasons why someone would order a Texas driving record: for employment purposes or to keep track of your driving points. 

Similar to an individual’s credit rating, a Texas driver may order their driving record to view and keep track of their listed infractions or driving violations. It is important to view your driving record because the presence of unpaid tickets or multiple infractions will increase your insurance premium and land you one step closer to a license suspension. It is also important to check your driving record to ensure legal driving; checking to see whether your license has been suspended or revoked will help avoid serious problems in the future.

Similar to credit profiles, mis-reporting is possible on driving records. Because of this and the penalties associated with the latent information, it is suggested that you observe your Texas driving record once every few years. 

Employers—typically those aligned with the delivery industry—will request Texas driving records to ensure that a prospective employee’s driving history is clean. Also, auto insurance companies will constantly review the information latent in the public record to calculate insurance premiums. The driving record, thus, serves as the fundamental tool to evaluate and forecast an individual’s driving habits. 

Most commonly, a motorist will secure a driving record to accomplish the following:

• Check driver’s license status and license suspension

• Check driver’s violation codes and license points

• Check all traffic tickets, violations and attached fines that you have accumulated over a certain period of time

• Provide a history of all traffic accidents that you have been involved in

• Observe your license classification and any or all attached endorsements

A car insurance company will factor in your driving history when calculating your insurance premium. If your driving record reflects a number of traffic tickets, accidents or a DUI conviction, the insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver. This classification will inevitably be met with increased insurance premiums. 

Permit tests are the written portion of the exam that tests for general knowledge, road signs, and road rules. All the information needed to successfully pass a permit test is found in the driver’s manual that many state department of motor vehicles provide. One of the most effective ways of passing the permit test is by studying and reviewing the material.

In order to see just how prepared you are and how well you know the material, you can try to take a practice permit test. A practice permit test can be obtained through both private companies as well as the local department of motor vehicles.

The best way to get a free practice permit test is to check your local DMV’s website to see if any are available online. Many states do provide this service for no charge. It is possible to look at other state’s sites as well, but it is important to keep in mind that the questions and answers of the practice permit tests can vary due to different state laws about driving. 

When looking at a practice permit test, you will often notice certain types of questions are very common.

• Appropriate responses to certain signals or signs

• Restrictions placed on permits or provisional licenses

• Driving in bad weather conditions

• Traffic and parking laws

• Knowing the color, shape, and meaning of a traffic sign

• Sharing the road

• Driving Procedures

• Alcohol laws

Here are a few different examples of things you may see on practice permit test or even the actual test. Note that the actual questions from a practice permit test or actual written exam will be multiple choice.

• What is the term for the amount of alcohol in the blood?

• Why do new solo drivers have a higher risk of getting involved in a crash?

• What is an appropriate response to having your breaks fail?

• What is the left lane used for on a multiple-lane road?

• What should you do when meeting a stopped school bus?

• How far away should you signal when making a turn?

• What should you do at stop sign?

• If your cell phone rings while you are driving, what should you do?

• What is the correct response to a yellow X lane signal

• What does rear-wheel-only ABS do?

• What is the minimum BAC for someone under 21 years of age?

• What should you do when an emergency vehicle is behind you while driving?

• What activities can cause suspension of a license?

• How does scanning the road ahead for hazards help the driver?

• Who has the right of way at a railroad crossing?

After reading the driver’s manual and taking a practice permit test, be confident in your abilities and go get a permit!

CARFAX is a commercial online service that supplies vehicle history reports to businesses and individuals. CARFAX reports, which in essence are simply vehicle history reports, are offered on a vast number of used cars and light trucks for the Canadian and American marketplaces. 

CARFAX does not offer free full-fledged vehicle history reports. The service instead offers four free vehicle research services: Lemon Check, Recall Check, Problem Car and Record Check services are all provided by CARFAX. Although these services will prove helpful to prospective buyers and sellers of used cars, the reports offered by CARFAX will not contain all of the information provided in a full history report. To access an extensive vehicle history report through CARFAZ a prospective buyer or seller of used cars must pay a fee. 

CARFAX generates vehicle history reports through unique 17-character vehicle identification number. 

A sample CARFAX report is broken-down into six different sections: Vehicle History Report, Vehicle Highlights, SmartBuyer Checklist, Warranty Check, Safety & Reliability Report and Buyback Guarantee are the reflected sections in the CARFAX report. 

The Vehicle History Report will first list the basic information of the car including the make, model and year of the vehicle as well as its VIN and basic specifications. This portion of the CARFAX report will also elucidate the year the vehicle was purchased, the type of owner, the estimated length of ownership, the locations where it was owned, the estimated number of miles driven per year and the last reported odometer reading. Following this information the CARFAX report will provide statistics concerning the vehicle’s total loss, structural damage, airbag deployments, manufacturer recalls and information dealing with the vehicle’s warranty. 

This information is then summarized to reflect the total impact on the resale price of the vehicle. CARFAX provides a space for the user to enter the retail book value of the automobile; when this figure is entered the report will generate a figure above or below this number based on the history report. 

The Vehicle highlights section of the CARFAX report provides the most fundamental statistics of the automobile. This information is provided in an easy-to-view and easy-to-manage profile. 

The SmartBuyer Checklist portion of the CARFAX vehicle history report provides the prospective buyer or seller with fundamental questions. These inquiries must be posed before finalizing the transaction. Examples of questions include:

• Is the car still under manufacturer warranty or is a warranty available at the time of purchase?

• Turn on the ignition without starting the vehicle—do all the warning lights and gauges work?

• Is the odometer consistent with the latest reading of 39,500 on the CARFAX summary report?

• Are the tires in good shape or do they appear worn?

• Test all internal controls—do the turn signals, lights, windows and the heater/air conditioner work properly?

• Does the safety equipment, including the brakes, work properly?

• Does the vehicle appear to have been handled with care?

The warranty section of the CARFAX report provides information concerning the active lives of the vehicle’s warranties. Typically, a vehicle will have had one or multiple of the following warranties: basic, drivetrain, emissions, corrosion, roadside assistance, specific components and safety belt & inflatable restraint systems. CARFAX vehicle history reports will illuminate on whether these warranties are active and if so, the remainder of coverage provided. 

The safety & reliability report listed on CARFAX provides the prospective buyer or seller with a series of safety ratings including: frontal crash, side crash and rollover resistance ratings. 

Lastly, the Buyback guarantee provides a warranty—CARFAX will purchase the underlying vehicle—if any of the information provided in the report proves to be grossly incorrect. 

The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as “driving to save lives, money and time, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.” This definition derives from the National Safety council’s Defensive Driving Program, which teaches drivers proper driving techniques and dispositions. Defensive driving, therefore, is a form of training for drivers that stretches beyond simply understanding the laws of the road and the basic mechanical functions of driving. The overall aim of defensive driving is to reduce the presence of aggressive or reckless drivers on the road. Defensive driving courses preach caution and awareness; drivers must be attentive not only to the rules of the road, but also to their fellow motorists. 

Defensive driving courses ultimately reduce the risks associated with driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse driving conditions or mistakes made by other drivers on the road. These goals are achieved through adherence to several rules, along with the practice of specific driving techniques. 

A number of government agencies, private schools and nonprofit organizations have launched defensive driving courses to improve the public’s driving skills. In addition to improve a person’s driving skills, the bulk of U.S. states provide incentives for completing an approved defensive driving course by offering insurance discounts or ways to mask tickets from one’s driving record. In some jurisdictions, these courses are labeled traffic schools or defensive driving programs. States that offer the biggest incentives to drives are Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey and New York. 

Defensive driving is paramount because more than 40,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents each year in the United States. To lessen this blow, a number of states now require defensive driving courses for individuals who have accumulated too many points on their driving records or have previously had their driving privileges suspended. 

Defensive driving courses are required for drivers who are deemed at risk of getting in accidents or who display immature or reckless behavior behind the wheel. The intent of these courses is to teach these drivers how to be cautious and maintain an awareness of their surroundings. Experienced instructors will teach these individuals the current rules of the road and the latest techniques in motor vehicle handling. Overall, the skills taught in defensive driving courses promote prudence behind the wheel and help reduce accidents across the board. 

The specific tactics of a defensive driving course and the mandatory participation in said courses will vary based on jurisdiction. Some states in the U.S. will require participation to those drivers who have accumulated a certain number of points, while other states will simply suggest the course to all young drivers. Regardless of administration or the participants involved, defensive driving courses promote safety through understanding and mature driving habits. 

In addition to the obvious benefits (becoming a better driver/reducing risks associating with driving) participation in a defensive driving program offers point reduction in states that utilize a point system. States, such as New Jersey, will allow drivers to participate in defensive driving programs once every five years to achieve a two point reduction from a driving record. That being said, states implement special rules regarding what types of points may be reduced. For instance, New Jersey will not dismiss traffic tickets regardless of participation in safe driving courses. 

As mentioned above, each state in the U.S. will focus on different areas of safe driving within their programs. That being said, there are some universal techniques that all drivers should practice to mitigate the dangers associated with driving. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles, through their Driver’s Manual, devotes a chapter to defensive driving and lists the following as the basic methods: 

• Always be prepared when driving; look ahead and look at all your mirrors every 5-10 seconds

• Maintain proper speed; do not drive too slow or too fast. Monitoring your speed is essential.

• Always signal when changing lanes or turning.

• Leave enough distance and time between you and your fellow motorists.

• Always wear your seat belt.

•  Never drive if you are tired, medicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

• Maintain control of your vehicle at all times.

When you employ the above techniques and driving methods you will minimize the number of risks you face. You will become a better, safer and smarter driver; one who is more equipped to handle all the hazards and dangers that the road presents. 

The below example represents the state of New Jersey’s rules, laws and administration process regarding a defensive driving school:

As mentioned above, New Jersey offers safe driving courses as a means to reduce the number of points on your driving record. For drivers 50 years of age and older, New Jersey, through the AARP, offers the “55 Alive” driving course as a refresher. This senior driver’s program provides a minimum 5% discount on your auto insurance premium. The “55 Alive” program is only offered in select cities and towns throughout the state. 

In addition to these optional driving programs, the state implements a mandatory training program as part of a sentencing provision for drivers with certain traffic violations on their record. This mandatory program, which is offered by the Motor Vehicle Commission, aims to improve reckless or immature driver habits. 

The mandatory programs are offered to individuals who are in danger of losing their license. After an individual has racked up 12-14 points on their record, the “driver improvement program” can eliminate up to three points on a driving record. Additionally, when a driver passes this course, their license will not be suspended. Information regarding these programs will be mailed to qualifying drivers (individuals who have accumulated 12-14 points on their driving record) by the state. 

New drivers—individuals who have had their license for two years or less—will be assigned to Probationary Driver Schools if they are convicted of multiple violations that total more than four points in that two-year timeframe. The cost of this program is $100. The state of New Jersey will inform qualified drivers if they are required to fulfill this course. After the individual has passed this court, a maximum of three points will be reduced from their record. However, the driver will still face a one-year probation period. If the driver accumulates more violations during this timeframe, their driving privileges will be suspended indefinitely. 

If a driver has been convicted of any drug or alcohol-related violation, they will be required to attend an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center program. These programs will include mandatory defensive driving classes related to Alcohol use. Moreover, the Highway Safety Education program will evaluate participant’s individual drug and alcohol problems and offer rehabilitation or treatment programs if necessary. Successful completion of these programs will help a driver get their license reinstated. Refusal to participate in these programs; however, could lead to jail time or a longer license suspension. These courses range in price from $350 to $500. 

One of the most fundamental questions attached to the car-purchasing process revolves around buying vs. leasing. Granted the answer to this question will vary based on individual circumstance. However, knowing the basic features of each transaction will illuminate the better route. 

Conventional wisdom dictates that if you lease a vehicle you will have nothing to show for the money you put in when your term expires. This basic principle; however, ignores the opportunity costs inherent in financing or buying an automobile: the funds you pay up front for the vehicle could be used for something else that makes you happy. 

Low Down Payments: You undoubtedly see at all the time on commercials and in periodicals: leasing provides you with better deals regarding the amount you actually pay out of pocket per month. In addition, these deals may or may not be offered without a down payment. This is a considerable advantage for some deciding whether to buy or lease a car—all financing packages (all individuals who buy a car) are required to put a minimum percentage down. The lack of down payment offers an individual the ability to withhold a considerable amount of funds at the time of purchase/lease. 

Lack of Commitment: Leasing is synonymous with renting a vehicle. When you lease a vehicle you are not committed to owning it long-term—typically leases last between 2 and 4 years. When the lease ends, you will have the option to either purchase the car or walk away. This option gives you the ability to either stick with your car or search for a new one. You will not be stuck into a commitment that you do not want. 

Low Monthly Payments: Because you are only paying off the depreciation of the vehicle in a lease contract and not its full value your monthly payments will be much lower than if you choose to finance the purchase of the entire car. Lower monthly payments are also realized in a lease agreement because you are only paying for a portion of the car over the same timeframe as a financing contract. 

Easy Turnover: Assuming the vehicle is in good shape, when your two to four year lease ends, you can just go to the dealer, hand them the keys and drive out with a brand new car under a new lease agreement. With a lease, you do not have to bother with selling the vehicle or haggling with the dealer over its trade-in-value. In summation, a lease arrangement offers you flexibility and convenience. Financially; however, it isn’t the wisest decision. 

No Equity: This is easily the biggest advantage when deciding whether to lease or buy a car. Leasing a car is like renting an apartment; when the lease is over, you don’t own anything. Dissimilar to financing, you can’t look forward to owning the car when you have fulfilled the loan obligation. The residuals may prove costly; the flexibility and lower monthly and down payments are met with a lack of ownership once the lease ends.

Huge Penalties Associated With Opting Out: If you wish to opt out of the lease agreement before the full term you can expect to get hit with a massive penalty. Bailing out of the agreement may cost you up to six extra months of payments depending on your lease agreement. 

Extra Payments towards Miles: A lease agreement is attached with special clauses that charge you for going over a certain number of miles per year. The majority of lease arrangements will charge an additional 12 to 15 cents for each mile you drive over a certain limit. Typically, the agreement will grant you 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. So, if you take a 3-year lease with 15,000 miles per year and return the car at the end of the arrangement with 52,000 miles you will be docked for the 7,000 miles you went over. Also, you will be forced to pay for any damage to the car beyond normal wear and tear when you turn it in. Although you will be given the opportunity to purchase more miles at a reduced rate up front, these additional penalties can prove disastrous. Remember, you don’t own the car when the lease is up so any damage or excess driving will prove costly. 

Problems with Insurance: If you get in a severe car crash or your vehicle gets stolen, your insurance coverage will only reimburse you for the market value of the car. This figure may not cover what you still owe on your lease. You may buy extra “gap coverage” to protect against this instance. 

Leasing makes sense if you need cash. A lease arrangement requires a fraction of the money down than financing a vehicle—in many cases a dealer will not require a down payment for a lease. A typical lease will only require between $1,000 and $2,000 for fees, the first month’s payment and a refundable security deposit. 

When deciding whether to buy or lease a car, remember that a dealer wants you to lease the automobile—they would rather rent out their assets and then flip them when they are returned. Because of this, the dealer will often work with you when negotiating the terms of a lease. 

When you finance a car you could easily be forced to put 10% down and then pay an additional 6% to 8% sales tax—you are forced to pay more for the equity of the vehicle. Therefore, if you need the cash, you should lease the vehicle. If you are a prudent long-term buyer you should finance the vehicle. 

Leasing is particularly attractive for buyers who want a new car every three years or so. Leasing saves you the hassle of selling a car, which in turn, allows you to seamlessly move from vehicle to vehicle with lower monthly and down payment obligations. Therefore, when deciding whether to lease or buy a car, you must forecast your wants over the next few years—if you stick with a car or really like a specific car you should finance; if you like updating your vehicles you should lease. 

This question must be asked when deciding whether to buy or lease a car. Always check your odometer; an ideal lease customer will drive roughly 15,000 miles a year and keep good care of their automobile. If you drive less than this, you will be paying for depreciation that you are not causing. In this instance, you should opt for purchasing the vehicle. In turn, if you drive substantially and prefer to lease, you must negotiate the cost of the additional miles before affirming the arrangement. Remember, all dealerships will charge for over-the-cap miles, so be prudent when driving and be smart when negotiating for more miles. 

If your car is being used for business reasons, you may deduct a portion of the vehicle’s depreciation from your taxes—you will be able to deduct more if you lease. Interest paid towards loans to purchase a vehicle is not deductible.

If you use your car a lot, if it is susceptible to a lot of wear and tear, leasing may not be best for you. By Contrast, if you take exceptional care of your car, you should also consider buying it, to maximize the equity and take advantage of selling it. If you want to recoup some of the money you invested into the vehicle, you must finance the automobile. 

In the United States, a vehicle history report contains vital information concerning a motor vehicle’s past. These reports are fundamental for vehicle transactions, for they will reveal the title records from each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, along with full accident records and insurance total loss records. This information is critical if you are looking to purchase a used car from a private seller, a third party or directly from a dealership. 

Vehicle history reports reveal what the car has been through in its past. Although vehicles may look shiny and new, a prospective consumer can never know the true safety and value of the automobile without first observing its vehicle history report. Additional information reflected in the vehicle history report will include: ownership changes and details concerning the Vehicle Identification Numbers such as the year, make, model and odometer history of the vehicle.  

Vehicle history reports are available from several sources, including popular online sites, such as autocheck.com, instaVIN.com and carfax.com. Vehicle history reports will be made available for the majority of automobiles, including motorcycles, recreational vehicles and classic cars. 

Before you purchase a user motor vehicle, you must consider purchasing a vehicle history report, title reports and salvage check reports to better understand the vehicle’s history. Prospective buyers are typically interested in this information because it can better forecast the vehicle’s future performance. Obviously you want to avoid vehicles that have been in numerous accidents, have had their odometers rolled back or have been driven by irresponsible owners. Avoiding these problems will save you tons of money in the future; you can forego costly maintenance appointments by simply viewing a vehicle history report.  

In addition to prospective buyers, sellers of motor vehicles may also check the history of their vehicle prior to listing it for sale. Sellers will view the report prior to listing the vehicle for sale to prepare them to answer questions regarding the vehicle’s condition or past. Automotive dealers buy vehicle history reports to provide detailed background information on used vehicles to show prospective buyers. Dealers will also run reports prior to acquiring these vehicles from trade-ins or at auctions to help them reach a fair market value. Vehicle prices will fluctuate based on the information latent in a vehicle history report. 

To obtain a Title Report and a Vehicle History Report, you may go online to the sites mentioned above to attain a full report. Some services will also provide a lower cost option for a VIN Check Report or a Salvage Report, which will provide you with just the vehicle’s accident history. 

Free vehicle history reports may be offered sporadically by major reporting companies; however, these free vehicle history reports are typically limited in the scope of detail and sources of information. In general, used car dealerships will provide a vehicle history report upon request for only specific vehicles as part of their selling process. Prospective buyers can cross-reference the dates of these reports by running their own reports and comparing the results. Older vehicle history reports will typically not contain the latest information—vehicle history reports are time sensitive. 

Vehicle history reports provide prospective buyers, sellers and dealers with information and detailed records concerning a vehicle’s unique VIN or serial number. Information included in a vehicle history report and title report may include:

Title Information: This fundamental section of the vehicle history report will show if the vehicle has been reported as possessing a negative title “brand” like junk, salvage or lemon that is often attached to severe accidents.

Number of Titles: Provides information concerning the reported ownership history and the history of ownership changes. This portion of the vehicle history report will elucidate the number of owners the vehicle has had in the past. 

State of Titles: Provides the locations/states that the vehicle has been registered in or titled in previously

Junk or Salvage Information from Titles or Other Sources: This portion of the vehicle history report shows if the vehicle has been reported as a salvage vehicle by a state or has been reported at a junk or salvage yard.

Reported Odometer Problems: Provides information concerning the vehicle’s odometer history. If the vehicle has had its odometer rolled back, the vehicle history report will highlight when, why and how many miles were sliced off. 

Lemon History: Shows if the automobile has ever been reported as a lemon. 

Insurance Information (Total Loss): This portion of the vehicle history report shows if the automobile has been reported as a total loss by the respective insurance company

Auction History: Illuminates as to whether or not the vehicle has been involved in an auto action

Accident History: Arguably the most important aspect of the vehicle history report. Accident information provides details concerning the vehicle’s maintenance history. This portion of the report will show if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident or sustained damage in any way.

Air Bag Deployment History: Every time a driver’s air bag is deployed, the vehicle’s computer system will record the date of incident. Therefore, this portion of the vehicle history report will show/list whether or not the vehicle’s airbag has been deployed in the past.

Mileage Statistics: Lists all odometer readings that have been recorded from previous vehicle appointments.

Service Records: Provides extensive details on reported service information. If a vehicle goes in for maintenance and the information/work done is recorded, it will be reflected on the vehicle history report.

State Emission Inspection Results: Provides results of state inspection or emission results as reported directly by the state’s Motor Vehicle Department. State emissions are crucial to maintain legal driving status. These reports deal with a vehicle’s emissions and whether or not they meet the environmental standards implemented by the state. 

Service Contract or Warranty Availability: Provides information concerning whether or not the vehicle has been covered by a service contract or warranty. 

The above information is gathered from a variety of sources including a state’s Department of motor Vehicles, dire and police departments, automotive auctions, rental agencies, salvage auctions, insurance companies, state inspection stations, automotive recyclers, manufacturers and dealerships. 

All of the above information is stored in a database using the VIN number. A vehicle history report provides an overview of the vehicle’s past. The VIN number serves as a portal to its past; the VIN holds registration records, which describe how the vehicle was used in the past. If you do not have the VIN of the car you are interested in viewing, you can order an Unlimited Vehicle History Report from autocheck.com.  

A speeding ticket is a form of traffic ticket that is given to motorists who travel faster than the allotted speed limit. Traffic tickets are notices issued by law enforcement officers or officials to motorists or other users. Traffic tickets formally accuse motorists of committing a traffic violation. In general, a traffic ticket comes in two forms—they will either cite a moving violation (including speeding tickets) or non-moving violations, such as parking infractions. 

Speeding tickets will be given to individual motorists if they travel beyond the speeding limit. Speeding limits will range depending on jurisdiction and the type of road the motorist is traveling on. For instance, on highways or major roadways the average speed limit is 65 miles per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit will be significantly lower, often times between the ranges of 25 to 45 miles per hour. Regardless of the location, if a motorist is caught travelling above this limit he or she will be pulled over and given a speeding ticket. All jurisdictions will post speed limits for given roads via traffic signs. These signs are universal; they will list the speed limit in large bold lettering with the phrase “speed limit” listed above. 

Speeding tickets are given to motorists by local, county or state police officers. It is up to the discretion of these law enforcement officers to administer speeding tickets to motorists who are in violation of the jurisdiction’s laws. Typically, law enforcement officers will only administer speeding tickets for egregious or aggressive violations of the speed limit. In this sense, law enforcement officers, will pull-over motorists for travelling at least 10 miles over the allotted speed limit. Regardless of this leeway, it is important to stay at or below the speeding limit when driving. 

Speeding tickets are always attached with a fine. This fine will vary based on the severity of the violation. If the motorist is travelling only 5 to 10 miles above the legal limit, their ticket will be attached with the minimum fine. If the motorist is travelling above 25 miles per hour above the limit this fine will likely increase; any flagrant violation of the speed limit will result in an exorbitant fine and perhaps additional penalties, such as a suspension of the operator’s driver’s license. Additionally, a motorist will susceptible to increased penalties if the individual has committed similar offenses in the past. Similar to other traffic laws or DUI laws, multiple offenses will yield additional penalties.  

In the United States, the majority of traffic laws are codified in various ways by state, county or municipal laws. Each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles will maintain a database of motorists and their coordinating traffic violations. When a motorist is given a speeding ticket, the individual will be given the option to mail the ticket—with its coordinating payment—to the local court system or the court for the jurisdiction in which the traffic violation took place. On the speeding ticket, the motorist must check—in the appropriate box—whether they wish to contest the ticket or plead guilty. A plea of guilty will require the motorist to submit a payment for the satisfaction of the fine. The response to the speeding ticket must be prompt—a failure to respond to speeding tickets will result in additional penalties. 

If the motorist wishes to contest a speeding ticket, a hearing will be set by the Court upon the request. These traffic hearings are heard before a judge or magistrate depending on the city or state. These hearings may be continued and witnesses or the issuing police officer may be subpoenaed. At any point during the traffic court, the motorist may retain a legal professional to represent him/her in traffic court. Consulting with a traffic lawyer may prove beneficial to the motorist because these legal professionals understand how to contest speeding tickets in the given state, county or town. Motorists will typically schedule the hearing for a time at which the issuing police officer is likely to attend. If the law enforcement officer or representative responsible for the ticket fails to attend, the court judge will typically dismiss the charge. Because of the local laws attached to speeding tickets, each judge, state, county or municipality will handle traffic cases a tad differently. 

If the motorist wishes to plead guilty to the speeding ticket and the fines attached, the outcome will be equivalent to a conviction following the hearing. Upon conviction, the motorist will be fined a monetary sum and an additional penalty referred to as “points.” This penalty is distributed differently based on state law; however, all point systems are employed to chart a motorist’s driving history. If a motorist is convicted of speeding in a different state than the one he or she is registered, individual agreements between the states will decide if, and how, the driver’s home state applies the other state’s charges. If an agreement does not exist, the conviction will be applied locally to the state where the speeding infraction took place. 

A point system is one where a police force or a Department of Motor Vehicles issues cumulative penalties or points to motorists following a conviction for violating traffic laws. Speeding tickets are one way to accumulate points; the more points a motorist has on his or her driving record the more the individual will be fined for subsequent traffic violations. Points may be either added or subtracted from one’s driving record. Major offenses will lead to more severe penalties; egregious violations of traffic laws will result in hefty fines and multiple points. 

Points are applied after the traffic violation is committed and cancelled following a defined length of time, typically a few years. If the motorist accumulates a specified amount of points he or she may be disqualified from driving for a set length of time. Fines and other penalties will be applied additionally, either for a violation or after a certain number of paints has been accumulated by the motorist. The purpose of the point system is to identify, deter and subsequently penalize repeat offenders of traffic law. By doing this, the point system ultimately streamlines the legal process. 

The point system in the United States is implemented on a state level. Because of this localized structure, the point system will be applied in a variety of ways—or not at all—depending on the state. Aspects of a motorist’s driving record will be reported to their respective insurance companies, who will use them in determining rates and fees to charge. Insurance companies will also evaluate motorist driving records to decide whether or not to renew or cancel the respective insurance policy. 

In the state of California, drivers who accumulate speeding tickets may be deemed negligent operators of motor vehicles. If a driver in California accumulates a certain number of speeding tickets their right to drive will be taken away. Major offenses, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence, will earn 2 points and remain on the driver’s record for 10 years in the state of California. “Reckless driving” may refer to excessive speeding, typically 30+ miles above the legal speed limit. Less serious offenses, including minor speeding infractions, will remain on the driver’s record for 3 years and will accrue one point. A driver in the state of California will be deemed negligent if they accumulate the following points in the given time frames:

• 4 points in 12 months

• 6 points in 24 months

• 8 points in 36 months

Negligent drivers will be placed on probation for one year (6 months of their probation will be applied with a suspension of their driver’s license). When the suspension or revocation ends, the driver is required to re-apply for a license to legally drive in the state. 

The judge may suspend the driver’s license following a conviction for the following traffic laws:

• Excess breaking of the speed limit or reckless driving

• Hit-and-run

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Assaulting a motorist or pedestrian when the event occurs on a roadway (this is known as road rage)

• Failure to stop the vehicle as required when signaled at a railway grade crossing. 

If a driver is cited for speeding or another traffic violation, the presiding judge may offer the motorist the opportunity to attend Traffic Violator School. This alternative penalty is delivered as a form of rehabilitation for the motorist. A driver will have to participate in these schools for a period of 18 months for the offenses to be formally expunged. Whenever a citation for a speeding ticket is dismissed, the record of citation is forever removed and no more points will accumulate. 

Parking violations are illegal acts that involve parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or in an unauthorized manner. Parking violations are universal in nature. For instance, it is against the law in every jurisdiction to park a motor vehicle in the middle of a road or highway. However, the laws surrounding parking violations and the explicit restrictions attached to parking will be implemented on a local level. Every town in the United States implements their own laws with regards to parking violations. 

Individuals caught committing a parking violation will be penalized through a parking ticket. Parking tickets are administered by local police departments. They are attached with fines, which fluctuate based on the severity of the parking violation. Failure to pay parking violations will result in added penalties and a possible suspension of a driver’s license. 

Parking laws are enforced by jurisdictions to promote safe parking habits. Parking violations, although deemed minor in nature, can affect the flow of a town, or simply ruing one’s day. Parking tickets are a means to harmonize traffic laws. The creation of restricted spots, for instance, ensures that crucial pathways, such as railroad crossings, pedestrian walkways and fire hydrant zones, are clear. Laws prohibiting double parking or parking in the middle of street aim to avoid bottlenecks or congestion from forming on our roads. These laws therefore promote convenience, safety and unimpeded travel. 

Another means for the creation of parking violations is to fund a jurisdiction. Parking spaces are public property; they are owned by the government of the acting government. Because of this, a local government has the right to charge a motorist for parking in a public space on a public street. Parking meters are used to collect funds from motorists using these spaces. As stated above, failure to abide by a jurisdiction’s parking laws will result in the administration of a parking ticket. The penalties attached to the ticket are collected by the local government to provide public services for the community. 

Common parking violations will include, but are not limited to:

• Parking a motor vehicle in a restricted space, such as a bus stop, handicapped spot (without a handicapped sticker), in front of a driveway or prohibited space, or in front of a fire hydrant. These parking violations are universal; laws are applied to curb these violations throughout the country. 

• Parking on a sidewalk is typically deemed illegal; however, parking signs may warrant this action in a given jurisdiction. 

• Double parking is generally illegal. Double parking refers to parking a motor vehicle parallel to an already-parked vehicle. 

• Parking too close to or within a street crossing is typically considered a violation. Parking too close to a crosswalk or a railroad crossing is also deemed illegal in most jurisdictions. 

• Parking at a parking meter without paying or for longer than the allotted time awarded from paying.

• A number of jurisdictions have implemented parking codes that deems it illegal to park a vehicle without a license plate, proper registration and a valid driver’s license for the operator of the vehicle. Jurisdictions who have implemented said laws will have their police officers run checks on all cars parked in the town to observe their registration, driver’s license and license plate status. 

• Parking a motor vehicle without a zone permit in areas where parking is severely limited or impacted will necessitate a parking ticket. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, parking laws are enforced by a jurisdiction to control the demand for parking spots in an area. For instance, at busy train stations, a town will issue resident permits to commuters of the area. These commuters will pay a fee to the town for the right to use a parking spot at the train station. Parking in these permits zones without the mandated documentation will be deemed a parking violation by law enforcement officers. 

• Similar to the traffic violations mentioned above, parking a motor vehicle without a special permit where one is required is also an infraction. For example, a company owned parking lot will only allow employees to park in certain areas. These spaces will require the motorist to secure a valid parking permit. Parking in these areas without the designated permit will result in the issuance of a parking ticket. 

• Parking in zone permit spaces requires the individual to not only obtain the permit but to also display in his/her vehicle in a prescribed way. Failure to post the permit per the request of the underlying enforcement agency will result in a parking violation. 

• Parking on certain streets as designated by the town in cases of emergency will result in a parking ticket. These laws are implemented to ensure pathways for emergency vehicles such as snow plows. 

• Parking a motor vehicle at curb locations designated for special purposes, including loading baggage, discharge, commercial activities or police and government vehicle zones is deemed illegal. 

• Parking at locations during a scheduled street sweeping is deemed a traffic violation. New York City, for instance, implements a rotating street sweeping schedule where cars are permitted to park only park on one side of the streets during certain weekdays. These schedules are marked clearly on parking signs throughout the city. 

• Parking at locations during construction or maintenance operations will necessitate a parking ticket. 

• Parking a motor vehicle that is facing against the direction of traffic is typically deemed illegal in the majority of jurisdictions in the United States.

• Parking for longer that the maximum allotted time (often 24 hours) is a parking violation.

• Parking outside of marked zones or spaces is generally not permitted. These common traffic laws are implemented in parking garages or lots where angle or parallel parking is the norm. 

As stated earlier, parking tickets will be delivered to the operator of a motor vehicle if the individual is found in violation of a parking law. Typically, parking tickets are placed on the vehicle’s windshield when the owner or driver is not present. The look of the parking ticket will vary based on jurisdiction; however, the majority of parking tickets will list the following information:

• The make and model of the violator’s vehicle

• The traffic violation the driver committed. The violation will be labeled as a code; the driver must locate the appropriate code on the parking ticket to see what violation he or she committed

• The attached penalty for committing the traffic violation

• The officer responsible for issuing the traffic ticket

• The date and time the officer issued the ticket

• The location where the parking violation occurred

• Instructions on how to pay the ticket. The bulk of jurisdictions in the United States will require payment to be sent via online submissions, mail or by telephone. 

• Instructions on how to dispute the parking ticket. If the owner or operator of the motor vehicle wishes to dispute the parking ticket the individual will be required to appear in traffic court before a judge to state his or her 

case. The issuing officer and the judge will deliberate to decide whether to process the fine or throw the parking ticket away. 

• A warning describing the additional penalties for a refusal to pay the parking ticket

If an individual leaves his or her vehicle in a no parking zone, the respective town will place parking tickets on the vehicle for every day that passes. After a certain period of time, the town will then place a boot on the vehicle. 

When a motorist receives a parking ticket they will be given instructions on how to pay the fine attached. These instructions will either be placed on the parking ticket itself or will be mailed to the home of the owner of the motor vehicle. The majority of jurisdictions in the United States offer e-pay solutions for the purpose of satisfying parking tickets. In these instances, a user may simply visit their town’s webpage and search for parking ticket payment processors. The payment solutions are offered either on the police department’s website or sections titled “traffic”, “parking” etc. Once the violator visits this page the instructions will be self-explanatory. Accepted payments will typically include debit card, credit card or check. Once payment is satisfied the ticket will disappear from the individual’s driving record. Unpaid parking tickets will remain on the individual’s driving record. If a motorist has a number of unpaid parking tickets and gets caught in the midst of a traffic violation, severe fines, a suspension of his/her driver’s license and imprisonment is possible. Because of these added penalties, it is highly recommended that all accused violators of parking laws pay or appeal their parking tickets in a timely fashion. 

Parking signs will inform motorists as to the parking laws of a particular street, area or parking lot. Parking signs reflect the particular areas precise parking laws. A failure to abide by the parking sign will result in a parking ticket. Parking signs will be rendered in a variety of ways: some parking signs will designate an entire area as illegal to park in, while others will offer a schedule of appropriate parking hours for a particular strip or side of a street. Regardless of the style or type of sign, all motorists must take note of parking signs if attempting to park on a street or designated permit zone. Failure to take note of parking signs will result in the delivery of a parking ticket.  

Parking violations are unlawful acts that involve parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or in an unauthorized manner. Parking violations are universal in nature. For instance, it is against the law in every jurisdiction to park a motor vehicle in the middle of a road or highway. However, the laws surrounding parking violations are implemented on a local level. Every town in the United States implements their own laws with regards to parking violations. 

Motorists who commit parking violations are penalized through a parking ticket. Parking tickets are administered by local police departments. They are attached with fines, which fluctuate based on the severity of the violation. Failure to pay parking tickets result in added penalties and a possible suspension of a driver’s license. 

Parking laws are enforced by jurisdictions to promote safe parking habits. Parking tickets are a means to harmonize traffic laws. The creation of restricted spots, for instance, ensures that crucial pathways, such as railroad crossings, pedestrian walkways and fire hydrant zones, are clear. Laws prohibiting double parking or parking in the middle of street aim to avoid bottlenecks or congestion from forming on our roads. These laws therefore promote convenience, safety and unimpeded travel. 

Another means for the creation of parking violations is to fund a jurisdiction. Parking spaces are public property; they are owned by the government of the acting government. Parking meters are used to collect funds from motorists using these spaces. As stated above, failure to abide by a jurisdiction’s parking laws will result in the administration of a parking ticket. The penalties attached to the ticket are collected by the local government to provide public services for the community. 

Because of the massive population density, NYC parking violations are among the most common in the United States. NYC parking violations are administered by New York City traffic police for a variety of reasons. The following violations are deemed illegal in New York City. The fines for the respective infractions will be listed next to the NYC parking violation. 

• Stopping, standing or parking where sign, street marking or traffic control device does not allow stopping: $115

• Hotel Loading/Unloading: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $115

• In case of snow emergency: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $115

• NYC Parking violations regarding tax stands: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $115

• NYC Parking Violations regarding General No Standing Zones: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $115

• NYC Parking Violations regarding Truck Loading/Unloading Zones: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $95

• NYC Parking Violations regarding Authorized Vehicles Only: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $95

• NYC Parking Violations regarding Bus Stops and Bus Lanes: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $115

• NYC Parking Violations regarding General No Parking Zones: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $65

• NYC Parking Violations regarding Street Cleaning: Standing or parking where standing is not allowed by sign, street marking or traffic control device: $65. Vehicles must switch sides of the street on designated street cleaning 

days.

• NYC Parking Violations regarding expired meters—parking in a space where the meter is working but the time has expired: $65. A motorist will also be fined $65 if the individual parks at a mater that is broken for longer than the time permitted

The above list represents only a small fraction of the codified parking violations in New York City. Because of its size and population these laws are habitually enforced; without NYC parking laws, congestion on the city’s roadways would be insufferable. 

NYC parking laws require those in possession of parking tickets to respond within 30 days of the date the ticket was originally issued. If the motorist does not respond within this time limit, additional penalties will be attached to the NYC parking violation. The city of New York, to facilitate the payment process, offers a full-fledged website dedicated to organizing and processing your NYC Parking Violation Tickets. 

At www.nyc.gov/parking, you will be able to access a payment processor to immediately fulfill your payment obligations. In addition to paying online, you may pay by phone by contacting 212-504-4041. Moreover, you may also pay in person at a Finance Business Center; these locations will accept payment by cash, check, money order, credit or debit card.

All NYC parking tickets will provide a space for dispute. If you feel that your NYC parking ticket was unjustly administered you may contest the ticket. All disputes must be delivered within the 30-day timeframe. Disputing the ticket will temporarily place a hold on the attached fine. The dispute will mandate a hearing, where an administrative law judge will review the parking matter and either uphold or reverse the ruling. There are three ways to dispute a parking ticket: by mail, through a hearing in person or through the city’s online portal. The majority of disputes will result in a reduced fine. 

When you first register and title your vehicle in Ohio, you will be issued Ohio license plates by the Department of Public Safety Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Ohio has many specialty plates that are available for Ohio drivers. Most specialty Ohio license plates include a fee that will directly go to the organization you are supporting. All specialty license plates include an annual fee that must be paid every year that can be up to $50, depending on the style of license plate ordered. However, this does not apply to military, combat, and disability license plates, which come with certain eligibility requirements.

Many specialty license plates can be personalized, meaning you can request the license plate message. Personalized Ohio license plates must have a minimum of 4 characters and a maximum of 7. Ohio also provides drivers with the option of personalized logo plates, where a logo takes up one space on the plate.

Drivers can order special Ohio license plates through a Deputy Registrar’s office, online, by mail, or by telephone.

• Deputy Registrar: Requests for special Ohio license plates can be made at Deputy Registrar’s office. You can request Disability Special Interest, Amateur Radio, Collegiate and military Plates here as well. All other special 

plates can be paid for at a Deputy Registrar’s office and then will then be mailed.

• Online: Ohio drivers can order their special plates through OPlates.com, which allows you to renew vehicles registrations or choose and buy specialty plates offered through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

• Mail: You can mail request forms that are available at a Deputy Registrar’s office. The customer must also include necessary fees and required document(s) to the address found on the application. 

• Telephone: Requests for special plates can be made through Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-589-8247.