Got a traffic ticket? Learn how to fight a speeding ticket or other violation in traffic court, as well as information about fines, suspended driver licenses, traffic school, and driving while talking or texting.
Traffic Fines, License Suspensions, and Traffic School If you've gotten a speeding or other traffic ticket, you might face a fine, traffic school, higher insurance premiums, or even the suspension of your driver's license.
How are Primary and Secondary Traffic Violations Different? Traffic violations are either primary or secondary offenses, and police can stop you only for primary offenses.
Distracted Driving Laws: Texting and Cell Phones Find out which states ban cell phone use and texting while driving.
Cell Phones and Texting While Driving in California It is illegal to use a handheld cellphone or to text while driving in California.
Can You Have a Driver’s License in Two Different States? Answers to questions on driving outside of your state, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and driving when you're over 65.
Driver's License Suspensions and Revocations Find out how your driver license can be suspended, and what you can do to prevent it.
Reckless Driving Traffic Violations Most states define reckless driving, typically a misdemeanor crime, as willfully operating a vehicle in a manner that shows an indifference to the safety of persons or property. Learn about the penalties you'll face for a conviction.
Restrictions for Customized Vehicle Lights The laws related to modifying car headlights, taillights, and under-glow.
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What Happens If I Can’t Pay My Traffic Ticket? Learns about some of the options available for dealing with a traffic ticket when you don't have the money to pay the whole thing up front.
What Happens if You Get a Speeding Ticket in Another State? Most states are members of interstate agreements to ensure that out-of-state violations are counted on the driver's record and that the driver pays his or her fines.
Can One Cop Ticket Me for Speeding Based on Another Cop's Radaring? I was issued a speeding ticket recently. When I asked the officer to let me verify the radar, he responded that he had not radared me, but another officer had. Is this appropriate -- and legal?
How Do I Prove That I Really Stopped at the Sign? I got a ticket for running a stop sign but really did come to a complete stop. Can I bring in a witness into traffic court to prove that I actually stopped?
Driver's License Points from Tickets How traffic violation point systems work and how accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension and other consequences.
Should I Request the Radar Calibration Records to Fight My Speeding Ticket? I got my first speeding ticket last weekend, for doing 70 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. The cop had radar but shot me from three lanes and 1,000 feet away during moderate traffic. I've been driving six years and had a clean record. I heard something about requesting calibration records on the radar gun and wonder if this would be worth the effort. I'm not interested in getting out of the fine. I just don't want any points.
How Do Traffic Violations Differ From Other Crimes? Generally, minor traffic offenses (like speeding and running a stop sign or red light) are treated differently than more serious violations of the law.
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Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Laws The operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) generally requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Each type of CDL has endorsements and restrictions specific to the CMV operated. A CDL can also be revoked for certain criminal convictions and rule violations.
Traffic Violations and Convictions That Result in Loss of CDL Privileges To operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in the United States, a driver must possess a commercial driver’s license. CMV operators are subject to special driving rules as well as strict penalties for violations.
Can Traffic Tickets in a Personal Vehicle Lead to CDL Revocation? Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are subject to special rules and restrictions while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). However, these rules and restrictions usually don’t apply when a CDL holder is driving a non-commercial, personal vehicle.
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Strategies for Fighting a Traffic Ticket In many states, with many tickets, it's possible -- and sometimes even fairly easy -- to challenge the police officer's view of what happened. Learn when it makes sense to question an officers subjective or objective observations, or ask the judge to dismiss your ticket.
Traffic Ticket? Decide Whether to Fight in Traffic Court or Pay Up There are two kinds of traffic tickets: Ones you can beat in traffic court and ones you can't. The problem is determining which kind you got.
What Happens in Traffic Court? In most states, you don't have the right to a jury trial for minor traffic offenses like speeding, running a red light, and distracted driving. So, if you want to fight a traffic ticket, your guilt will likely be decided by a single judge rather than a jury.
Appealing a Traffic Court Ruling In most states where new trials are allowed, you will have to appear before a judge and plead your case again. Learn more about appeal rules and their consequences.
Fight Your Speeding Ticket Speeding tickets are, by far, the most common moving violation. If you want to fight your ticket, here are some things you should know about.
How Do Police Determine Your Speed? Speeding tickets are, by far, the most common moving violation. If you want to fight your ticket, you should find out how your speed was determined.
Fighting a Ticket for Running a Red Light Here are the most successful defenses to fighting a red light violation ticket.
Fighting a Red Light Camera Traffic Ticket A new twist in defending against red light tickets has occurred in recent years, with the introduction of photographic automated enforcement systems, also known as red light cameras.