Does Traffic School Remove Tickets From Your Record? | Benavides Law Firm Traffic School Remove Tickets from your record

Getting a traffic violation can be stressful and costly. Not only do you have to deal with the hassle and expense of the ticket itself, but you may also face increased insurance premiums, points on your license, and a mark on your driving record.

One common piece of advice is to attend traffic school to remove the ticket from your record. But does this actually work? Here are some insights from a traffic ticket lawyer into how traffic school relates to your driving record and the best steps to take after receiving a ticket.

What Happens When You Get a Traffic Ticket?

First, let’s review what typically happens when you receive a traffic ticket:

The officer issues you a ticket that lists your offense, fine amount, and court date
You must either pay the ticket or appear in court by the date on the citation
If you pay the fine, you are pleading guilty to the offense
The violation goes on your driving record
You may receive points on your license, depending on the offense
Your insurance rates may increase
If you accumulate too many points, the state can suspend your license

As you can see, traffic tickets can have serious consequences beyond just the initial fine. Having the violation on your record can affect you for years to come. This is why many people are eager to find a way to remove tickets from their records. Traffic school is often cited as a solution – but does it help?

What Is Traffic School?

Traffic school, also known as defensive driving or driver improvement school, is a course you can take after receiving certain traffic tickets.

The specifics vary between states, but in general, traffic school is a four- to eight-hour class that reviews driving safety topics like:

Traffic laws and rules of the road
Safe driving techniques
How to avoid accidents
The consequences of unsafe driving behaviors like speeding or distracted driving

The idea is that by completing this course, you demonstrate that you have learned from your ticket and are committed to being a safer driver going forward. As a result, some states allow you to remove violations from your record or prevent points from being added to your license if you complete traffic school.

However, whether traffic school actually removes tickets from your record depends on:

The laws in your state
The type of violation you received
Whether it was your first offense or you have prior tickets
If you have already completed traffic school for a previous ticket recently

Let’s look at some of these variables more closely.

State Traffic School Laws

Each state has its own laws governing traffic school and ticket dismissal. Some states allow drivers to remove certain tickets from their records if they complete traffic school, while others do not.

Types of Violations Eligible for Dismissal

Even in states that do allow tickets to be removed from your record after traffic school, not every type of violation qualifies.

Usually, traffic school is only an option for minor moving violations like:

Speeding
Running a stop sign or red light
Failure to yield
Improper turn or lane change

Traffic school generally will not remove more serious offenses from your record, including reckless driving, DUI, driving on a suspended license, or violations that caused an accident.

If you don’t know whether your ticket qualifies under your state’s law, consult a traffic ticket lawyer. A lawyer can advise you on your case and whether traffic school is an option for keeping the violation off your record.

Impact on Insurance Rates

One of the main reasons drivers are eager to remove tickets from their records is to avoid increasing insurance premiums.

Traffic violations on your record are a red flag to insurers that you engage in risky driving behaviors. As a result, they typically raise your rates – often by hundreds of dollars a year for three to five years after the ticket. The more violations you have, the higher your rates climb.

If you can remove a ticket from your record through traffic school, will this prevent your insurance from going up? The answer is – it depends. Some insurance companies will not raise your rates if the ticket gets erased from your record. However, others will still consider the violation when setting your premiums, even if it does not appear on your state driving record.

Insurers have access to their own databases that show all violations associated with your name, regardless of whether they were dismissed through traffic school. While legally, they cannot use a removed ticket to increase your rates, some will still rely on the information in their systems.

The only way to know for sure how your insurance company handles tickets dismissed through traffic school is to ask. Some are more forgiving than others. But completing traffic school may not prevent a rate hike.

Other Ways to Fight Traffic Tickets

If traffic school is not an option for your ticket, or you decide the cost and time commitment are not worth it, don’t assume you have no choice but to plead guilty and accept the violation on your record. An experienced traffic ticket lawyer may still fight the ticket and protect your driving privileges.

Some possible defenses against a traffic ticket include:

The officer made a mistake: If the police officer was incorrect in their assessment that you violated a traffic law, or they did not properly document the circumstances, your lawyer may argue that the ticket should be dismissed based on factual errors or lack of evidence.
Your conduct was legally justified: In some situations, the law may allow traffic violations. For example, you may need to briefly cross a double yellow line or drive on the shoulder to make way for an emergency vehicle. Your lawyer can argue that your conduct fits into a legally permitted exception.
The officer violated your rights: If the police officer did not follow proper legal procedures during the traffic stop, the court may not admit any evidence obtained. Your lawyer can move to suppress the ticket if officers violated your rights.

Which defense strategy is best will depend on the facts of your case. This is why hiring a skilled traffic ticket lawyer who can analyze your options and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf is so important. Don’t just resign yourself to the consequences of a ticket – explore all opportunities to protect your record and driving privileges.

Work with an Experienced Traffic Ticket Lawyer

So, does traffic school remove tickets from your record? As you can see, the answer is not a simple yes or no.

In some states and situations, completing traffic school will mask the violation from your official record. In others, the ticket will still appear even if you attend traffic school.

Consider the laws in your state, the type of ticket you received, your previous driving history, and the impact on your insurance rates and license points when deciding whether traffic school is right for you.

Ultimately, working with an experienced traffic ticket lawyer is the best way to minimize the fallout from a traffic violation. A lawyer can identify whether you qualify for ticket dismissal through traffic school, and if not, build a strong case to fight the ticket in court.

Don’t gamble with your driving privileges. Contact a trusted traffic ticket attorney to discuss your case and protect your record as much as possible.