How to get a license suspension removed from driving record

Your driving record is forever, and there are ways that it can seep into your personal life. Traffic violations, accidents, DUI convictions, and license suspensions are all kept track of on your driving record. A driver with a driving record that is littered with traffic tickets, car accidents, DUI convictions, and license suspensions will definitely see higher car insurance rates. Having a spotty driver’s record can also cause higher premiums for life insurance.

Table of Contents Show

What Exactly is a Driving Record?
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Driver’s License Suspension?
Why is a Driving Record Important?
Here are some situations where your driving record can catch up with you:
How Can You Remove Marks From Your Driving Record?
While markups can last anywhere from three to five years (ten years for major violations), you can do the following to remedy some:
How long does a suspended license stay on your record in Virginia?
How long does a suspended license stay on your record in Florida?
How much does it cost to Unsuspend your license in New York?
How do I restore my suspended license in NY?

The good news is that there are some ways that you can resolve blemishes, like a suspended license from your driving record. This post serves as your tell-all guide.

What Exactly is a Driving Record?

Your driving record is kept on file by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV. Your driving record has no expiration date and continues until the day you stop driving. The driving records include personal information, details about your driver’s license, previous car accidents, traffic tickets and citations, fines or fees, driver’s license suspensions, graduated driving courses, and points on your driver’s license.

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Driver’s License Suspension?

Driver license suspensions typically happen after a major traffic offense like a DUI or when too many points have been accumulated on your driver’s license. Too many points can result in a suspended driver license.

Traffic violations and points can stay on your driving record or license for anywhere from three to ten years. In some states, some markups are permanent. You can resolve a suspended license by taking steps to have it reinstated, but there may still be a mark of the driver’s license suspension itself.

Why is a Driving Record Important?

Because some markups on your driving history can be long-lasting, there is a chance, especially for repeat offenders, that your driving record can affect your life in more ways than driving a vehicle.

Here are some situations where your driving record can catch up with you:

Your Car Insurance Premium Rates

How much you pay for your car insurance premium will be the first to take a blow when your traffic violation goes on your driving record. Your auto insurance provider has access to your driving record and handles your car insurance claims, so it’s impossible for them not to notice that your driver’s license was suspended.

Your Credit Score

Falling behind on traffic ticket fines or just ignoring traffic tickets can negatively affect your credit score. When a collection agency is involved, your credit score will only suffer more. What’s more, your vehicle insurer looks at your credit score, so your auto insurance premiums can also take a hit. A good credit score is important for such things as buying a car or renting an apartment. If a traffic ticket is ignored for too long, it can even turn into an arrest warrant.

Your Right to Vote

Your right to vote is affected in the case of serious traffic violations like a DUI, which is a felony charge. As a convicted felon, you can lose several rights, including to right to vote, serve on a jury, hold a public office position, receive federal aid, be a firefighter or police officer, and may be subject to limited travel.

Your Life Insurance

A driving record with a DUI charge on it can result in a revision of your life insurance tier. Life insurance premium rates can go up a couple of hundred dollars in this case.

Driver’s License Suspension

Serious charges or a certain number of points on your driver’s license can cause your driver’s license to be suspended. Even letting a traffic ticket go unpaid can result in a driver’s license suspension.

Your Job

One serious driving infraction and several smaller ones can result in you losing your job. This is especially the case if your job involves driving, such as a commercial driver with a commercial driver’s license or CDL. The car insurance company may charge too much for you to use the company car, and your employer may choose just not to employ you. It may also be hard for you to find a new job due to something like a DUI conviction. If you work in public transportation, you may be terminated after a single DUI.

Your Future Criminal Charges

A prior traffic conviction or DUI can set a standard for your criminal record. You can expect the penalties for your next offense to be much harsher.

How Can You Remove Marks From Your Driving Record?

There are a couple of ways that you can take matters into your own hands to improve your driving record.

While markups can last anywhere from three to five years (ten years for major violations), you can do the following to remedy some:

Enroll in a driving course - Not only can you learn something new about driving, but you can also get points removed from your driver’s license and even lower your car insurance rates.
Request expungement - While you may only be able to use this option once, you can request a driving infraction to be expunged from your driving record.
Contest the traffic violation - You can hire legal help to fight the original traffic ticket you were issued if you feel it was unjust.
Be a safer driver - Obviously, the road most traveled by is practicing safe driving daily. Traffic violations are avoidable.

Shopping for affordable auto insurance? Even if you have a less than favorable driving record, Insurance Navy can help you find affordable auto insurance.

Get a free SR-22 insurance quote online or call us at 888-949-6289.

About the Author
Sam Rakestraw is a senior insurance analyst and content writer for Insurance Navy. His articles are all written with a deep familiarity and knowledge of all aspects of the insurance industry. Sam is also a freelance journalist for publications such as Off-Kilter Media, where he has a reputation for interviewing up-and-coming local musicians. Sam has a BA in Journalism from High Point University.

How long does a suspended license stay on your record in Virginia?

A conviction for driving on a revoked license remains on the driver's DMV record for 11 years.

How long does a suspended license stay on your record in Florida?

Points are assigned based on the type of conviction and remain on the driver record for at least five years from the date of disposition (conviction). If a driver accumulates too many points in a set time frame, their driving privileges will be suspended. ... Point Suspensions..

How much does it cost to Unsuspend your license in New York?

1 The suspension termination fee for a definite suspension is currently $50 2, unless the suspension was for breaking the NYS Zero Tolerance alcohol law. The suspension termination fee for this offense is $100.

How do I restore my suspended license in NY?

For most revocations, you must first request and receive approval from the DMV Driver Improvement Unit (DIU) before you can apply for a new driver license at a DMV office. If you are licensed in another state, you must obtain approval from DIU to have your NY State driving privilege restored.