Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI remain on your driving record in Boulder, Colorado?

Lawrence

Boulder, CO

Driving histories provided by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles reflect activity that has been retained for the last 7 years. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle, records are for 7 years and cannot be limited to show any time period less than 7 years. The DMV records are maintained in accordance with Federal and State law, which includes the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission.

From this Colorado DMV information it would seem that your DUI remains on your driving record in Boulder for seven years. You may want to contact them directly to be certain a driving under the influence does not stay on for a longer period of time.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

When does your license plates revocation begin? Is it when you turn in your plates to the Department of Motor Vehicle or when the DMV sends you the card showing that your license plate is revoked?

Bill

Anderson, IN

You did not say which State and since each State has their own reasons and process for license plates being revoked or suspended you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, or like agency that is requiring you to turn in your license plates, to check when your revocation begins.

You should also find out from the Department of Motor Vehicle how long the license plates are revoked for and when you can have them returned to you. If you lost your license plates because of being without auto insurance, or a lapse in your insurance, then you will likely be required to present proof of insurance to get your license plates back.

Tags: driving without insurance, Driving without License

Reader’s Question:

How long does it take for insurance carriers in Marietta to report my car insurance coverage to the state of Georgia DMV insurance system?

Patty

Marietta, GA

Insurance companies in Marietta and like any other cities in GA issuing or renewing motor vehicle liability insurance policies are required to electronically transmit the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) together with the policy’s effective date to the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division insurance database within thirty days of the date the insurance coverage is to start. This database is called the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System or GEICS and insurance companies must electronically report cancellations and additions or deletions of cars from existing policies as well.

To make sure that your insurance provider properly sent the DOR the policy information, the state of Georgia requests that all car owners compare the VIN on their current insurance card with the VIN listed on their tag receipt or registration certificate. If it does not match immediately contact your insurance company since only they can add, edit or delete information on the GEICS.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am 20 years old, living in Cheektowaga New York and had a lapse in my insurance. I got pulled over yesterday and was ticketed for driving with a suspended registration and license. I have to go to court next week. Is there anyway that I can get new car insurance coverage on my vehicle and do you know what my fines will be?

Philipp

Cheektowaga, NY

Until you find out about obtaining your license reinstated it will be not be easy to find an insurance carrier to cover your car in Cheektowaga. Many insurance providers will assist your start an insurance policy if your license will be reinstated within 30 days.

The New York DMV site states that driving while your license is suspended is referred to in NYS as an aggravated unlicensed operation or AUO. Third degree of AUO is a misdemeanor punishable by a mandatory fine of $200 up to $500, a possible imprisonment up to thirty days or probation and a a surcharge..

To get more information you may contact the NYS DMV which has various information on its website or the Traffic Violations Bureau which can provide you more information regarding how to response to court dates.

Tags: car insurance, driving without insurance, Driving without License, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

My dad had a lapse in his insurance while he was out of the country and he was told by the NYS DMV that he had to surrender the plates for the entire time of the lapse, which was about 5 months. He decided to sell the vehicle to me so I can obtain the vehicle registered under my name so we can start using the vehicle again. I have all the necessary paperwork and got new insurance but at the DMV said that due to the lapse, I am still unable to register the vehicle until the end of the 5 months. Is this true?

Zachary

New York, NY

Yes, it is true that the NYS DMV has the authority to deny issuing you registration on the car thus you cannot register and use the car since the current registration has been suspended as a penalty for having a lapse in car insurance coverage.

The NYS DMV will not issue a registration to any individual unless that individual makes a sworn statement on form FS-2. This statement certifies that the reason for the application in not to avoid the results from the current revocation or suspension. The local DMV Office will decide if the application will be accepted or rejected.

Reader’s Question:

I acquired a certified copy of my driving record which shows that I have no infractions in the last three years but I was in an accident about a year ago in a different state. When I go for auto insurance will they be able to know this or is all they check is my DMV record?

Ross

Appleton, WI

Most states are part of the Drivers License Compact or Agreement which permit them to transfer violation or infraction information between Motor Vehicle Agencies. It could be that your home state or state in which you had the accident is not part of this agreement and therefore the information did not transfer. Or it could be that the system is backed up and that the information will eventually come through and be listed to your DMV record.

Your auto insurance carrier might not show the accident if it is not showing up on your DMV record however if you put in a claim or had a claim filed against your insurance policy it is likely that shows up in their records. If the insurance carrier asks about your record it is always better to be truthful and upfront so that you can obtain an accurate quote.

Reader’s Question:

I have a question. I am leaving the USA in two months, and my auto insurance ends in this month. Can I insure my vehicle only for two months?

Jared

Jackson, MS

Typically, auto insurance policies are only written for 6 months or 1 year. So instead of searching for a 2 month policy, you instead will likely need to renew for six months and then cancel your insurance policy once you no longer need it.

In most states, if you own a motor vehicle here in the US and want to continue to have it registered then you will be required to continue car insurance on the vehicle. If you will be putting the vehicle in storage or putting it somewhere else where it will not be required to have registration on it then you can take off the car insurance and turn in your license plates.

Since state laws vary, if you are leaving a vehicle behind when you leave the US check with the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state where the car is registered to see what they require of you as the car owner with regards to car insurance.

Reader’s Question:

How does the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) points affect your driving privileges and your car insurance rates? I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Harry

Milwaukee, WI

DMV points are assigned in most states for traffic violations. The state laws determine the point values. In the states that put points on your driving record and/or against your driving license, it can definitely affect your driving privilege and car insurance rate. Typically, if you accumulate too many points your license will be suspended or revoked.

If you accumulate 12 or more demerit points in a 12 month period in Wisconsin this will result suspension of your driving privilege. To verify what you states laws are contact your Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV).

As for insurance rates, how they are determined varies from insurance carriers to insurance carriers. Some insurance providers might consider the amount of points or the severity of your infractions as part of the variables they use to decide car insurance rates. You can verify with your state’s insurance regulatory body to check how your insurance providers does their rating system since they much be filed with this entity.

Reader’s Question:

How will I be able to find out if a person has car insurance if I have their VIN number and license number? Can I get Information from the DMV?

Bill

Fresno, CA

State laws varies regarding private and public information however if you need to know if an individual has car insurance you first should contact your local DMV to check if you as a private citizen can obtain this information. The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) should then be able to inform you if you can get this information from them or another state agency.

If you have been hit by a car and you have managed to obtain their VIN number and license plate number, perhaps this information was correct while their name and number was not, then you would also want to contact the law enforcement officer to make a report. It is no individuals legal right to no if another person is insured unless there is cause for the information.

In California you can make a request the insurance information by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Financial Responsibility Unit and submitting a form.

Reader’s Question:

Are car insurance points reduced over time like DMV points are?

Daniel

Babylon, NY

Insurance points, and other factors that are used by insurance providers to decide on your insurance rates, differ by each different insurance provider. They each have their own rules and guidelines regarding how insurance points play into the whole equation.

In most cases the impact of older insurance points lessens over time. If your company adds car insurance points for different traffic infraction and accident claims, as time goes by and you receive no new violations and file no more claims it will appear that you are a safer driver and these car insurance points could be reduced.

States have insurance law and regulations that govern premium surcharges caused by accidents or convictions. For example in New York their law permit surcharges for a certain amount of time only, typically three years. New York state also has a point and insurance reduction program that driver’s can take part in to lower their insurance premiums by 10%.