speeding or other minor tickets, you may have wondered if points on your license affect insurance costs? Some people may worry about their auto insurance rates more than others, especially if they have a “less than desirable” driving record. If you’ve gotten a ticket here and there, you might be wondering about how this impacts your license and whether it could affect your insurance rates.
Understanding License Points
Many people may not be aware of how penalties on a license work. You may not even know if you have any or how many you have. What are these, and how do they work?
Every state has its own system for keeping track of moving violations. States often track these by assigning a number of points to them. The more serious, the more points. If you accumulate a certain number, you could have your license suspended temporarily or permanently.
Georgia is a state that uses this type of system to monitor a driver’s record and determine whether suspension is necessary.
The Connection Between License Points and Car Insurance Rates
When answering the question, “Do points on your license affect insurance?” it’s necessary to understand the connection between these and insurance rates. Whether you’re just signing up for insurance or you’re already established with a company, insurers will consider your driving record.
Penalties on your license indicate to the insurance agency that you aren’t the most careful of drivers. As a result, you shouldn’t be surprised if you see an increase in your rates if you get lots of tickets and points.
The Score That Matters: How License Points Are Tallied
Insurance companies don’t use a point system like the Georgia Department of Driver Services does, but they won’t ignore the fact that a driver has some. When insurers review your driving record, they will see how many you have and take action.
They may increase your premium rates, cancel your policy, or fail to renew it when it’s time. If you have any points on your driving record, the agent will likely look at how you got them. Whether you’ve had to navigate the speeding ticket journey or got pulled over because you don’t know what Georgia’s hands-free law is, your ticket history will come into play.
Earning Points: Common Traffic Violations
Every state has its own set of driving laws, although many of these will be the same from state to state. Listed below are common traffic violations and the associated number of points from the Georgia Department of Driver Services:
- Failure to Obey Person Directing Traffic: 3 pts
- Emergency Vehicle Violation: 3 pts
- No Proof of Insurance-Motorcycle: 3 pts
- Speeding: 15-18 mph = 2 pts
- Reckless Driving: 4 pts
- Aggressive Driving: 6 pts
- Move Over Law Violation: 3 pts
- Improper Passing of a Stationary Utility Service Vehicle: 3 pts
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signal or Light: 3 pts
- Failure to Obey Flashing Signal: 3 pts
- Lane Direction Violation: 3 pts
- Unlawful Passing of School Bus: 6 pts
If you’re wondering why aggressive driving is so high, it’s because this involves road rage. You would be wise to steer clear of road rage, as it not only adds many points to your record, but you could also get hurt.
State Variances in Point Systems
The number assigned to you for committing a driving violation varies by state. Some states may give more or less for certain infractions. For example, if you are traveling out of state and get pulled over for breaking a driving rule, the amount you get might be different than it would be for the same violation in Georgia.
Methods to Reduce Points on Your Record
If you have any penalties on your record, you’re probably eager to find out how to get rid of them so your rates can go back down. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of any points for two years. Also, you can eliminate up to seven points every five years. However, you will need to enroll in and complete a certified Driver Improvement course first. Then, you will be eligible to have them removed.
If your rates are higher than you want due to penalties, you can reduce your premiums another way. Many insurers will give you a discount if you complete a defensive driving course.
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