Out Of State Driver With A New York Traffic Ticket
New York is a popular destination. Not surprisingly, out of state drivers often receive speeding tickets while visiting New York. Many times these tickets go ignored by the out of state driver who thinks the ticket will not follow him or her home. Other times the driver simply pleads guilty and pays the fine by mail thinking that the ticket will not affect his or her home state driving record. In most cases, this is simply not true. Ignoring these tickets puts your driving privileges at risk of being suspended and can cause an increase in your insurance rate.
Interstate Agreements
There are several interstate agreements and at least one national registry that govern the exchange of information and the treatment of drivers receiving out of state tickets.
First is the Driver License Compact enacted at New York VTL 516. Under the Driver License Compact the participating states agree to share driver information regarding out of state convictions that relate to the use or operation of a motor vehicle. The participating states agree to treat the following out of state convictions as if they had occurred in the home state:
- Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
- Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Any felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
- Failure to stop and render aid in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another
Other convictions reported under the Driver License Compact may or may not be treated as if they had occurred in the home state. That decision is left up to each individual state. Thus, an out of state speeding ticket may or may not result in points being applied to your home state drivers license. All states participate in the Drivers License Compact except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Second is the Nonresident Violator Compact. The Nonresident Violator Compact is an agreement between the participating states to suspend the home state license of a driver who receives a ticket for a moving violation in another member state and fails to pay or otherwise legally resolve it. All states participate in the Nonresident Violator Compact except Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Third is the Driver License Agreement. Participating members agree to exchange conviction and administrative action information regarding offenses relating to the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. The agreement lists 19 examples of offenses that shall be reported including speeding. The Driver License Agreement requires that the participating members shall treat the reported conduct as if it had occurred in the home state. Connecticut, Arkansas, and Massachusetts are the only states that currently participate in the Driver License Agreement.
Last is the National Driver Registry. The National Driver Registry is a computerized database of drivers who have had their license suspended or revoked, or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation. When your drivers license is renewed or a new license is issued, your home state will check this registry to see if your license has been suspended or revoked. If the answer is yes, your license will likely be denied until the suspension or revocation has been resolved. All states participate in the National Driver Registry.
New York Tickets Can Have Out Of State Consequences
Regardless of which state issued your drivers license, a traffic ticket received in New York can cause your car insurance rate to go up.
If your home state participates in the Nonresident Violator Compact, it will suspend your drivers license if you fail to answer a traffic ticket received in New York. Your home state drivers license will remain suspended until you adequately comply with the terms of the New York ticket. Your privilege to drive in New York will also be suspended until you resolve the ticket.
If your home state participates in the Driver License Compact, it will be notified of traffic tickets that you receive while in New York. Whether your home state will apply points to your drivers license depends upon the laws of each individual state. The States immediately surrounding New York treat New York tickets differently. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission states that out of state tickets will cost New Jersey drivers 2 points on their license. Minor traffic offenses like speeding or running a red light will not normally cost points to your Pennsylvania license. Vermont similarly does not add points for offenses like speeding.
The neighboring states of Massachusetts and Connecticut each participate in the Driver License Agreement. Normally tickets received in New York will not cost points on your Connecticut drivers license. Whereas, Massachusetts when informed of a New York ticket will treat it as if that ticket was received in Massachusetts.
New York Driving Privileges
Out of state drivers who receive tickets while in New York risk losing their New York driving privileges. New York accords drivers licensed in another state the privilege to drive in New York. However, that privilege can be revoked. Accrue 11 points or 3 or more speeding tickets in any 18 month period and your New York will driving privileges will be suspended.
Driver Responsibility Assessment
Accrue 6 or more points on your New York driving record and you will be subject to the Driver Responsibility Assessment. This fee is in addition to any fines and surcharges imposed by the court. The driver responsibility fee is based on the number of points received in the 18 month period, $300 for the first 6 points and $75 for every point thereafter. Fail to pay this assessment and your New York driving privileges will be suspended.
Contact A Moving Violation Ticket Attorney
Contact The Shelton Law Firm if you are an out of state driver who received a ticket while passing through New York's Hudson Valley region. The Shelton Law Firm knows the Hudson Valley courts and how to get tickets reduced or dismissed. With our money back guarantee you can relax and we will do all the work. We will go to court on your behalf and fight to reduce your points, reduce your fines and avoid increases in your insurance rate. With the Shelton Law Firm on your side, you have the peace of mind to know that your traffic ticket attorney will zealously defend your rights.