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%.

Reader’s Question:

Im just curious if the DMV verify insurance coverage for a simple violation like speeding ticket, assuming an apparently valid insurance card was provided to the police officer?

Allan

Chicago, IL

The States’ Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) differ in how they will verify auto insurance after a traffic or moving violation. It is essential to be properly insured though so that you are not caught without any car insurance. If you showed the police officer an apparently valid auto insurance card, ultimately the DMV could still find out that you are not insured.

An insurance provider in most state has to informed the DMV if a individual’s car insurance policy is canceled, lapsed , terminated or is not valid. When this happens many states require you to turn in your license plates. In addition, if the insurance is not renewed or started up again your driver’s license will be revoked or suspended.

Reader’s Question:

I got DUI conviction by the DMV but the court dismissed the charges of a DUI. How am I going to clean my record? How much is it going to be to get an SR22? I’m in Anaheim, California.

Anne

Anaheim, CA

To be able to remove a moving or traffic violation from your driving record, you will need to contact CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) should be able to advise you if you are required to carry an SR22. The CA DMV will be able to inform you as well on how to go about cleaning your driving record. If you will still require an SR22 in California, you should be able to buy an SR22 from an insurance company licensed to do business in California. You may ask any car insurance representative on the cost of getting an SR22 car insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

Does the DMV informs my insurance company if I get charged for driving without license or suspended license?

Rochelle

Thank you for asking Rochelle.

State laws and notification systems applies differently in various states so in some states an insurance carrier may be notified by the Dpartment of Motor Vehicle if an individual has been convicted of driving without or suspended license.

Generally, most states DMV do not inform the insurance providers of an individual that was charged with these types of violations. An insurance carrier would normally find out this information when they pulled their policyholder’s driving record (MVR). An MVR is usually pulled by an insurance company at the inception of an insurance policy and then again at renewal time.

If an individual is found guilty of this type of charge then the insurance provider may cancel or terminate the person’s coverages if state laws permit since the individual does not have a valid license to operate their vehicle with.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I received a DUI and increased my insurance. I want to know what other offenses are considered a major offense in DMV?

Ben

Thank you for asking Ben.

Insurance providers differ on what they consider to be a major traffic violation on your driving record. Generally there are several infractions that states’ DMV and insurance companies consider to be major when you are convicted of them.

Some of the offenses that may be considered as major offenses are the following

* Operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (DUI or DWI)
* Reckless driving or negligent driving
* Driving with a suspended, revoked or invalid license
* Drag racing
* Use of a vehicle to commit a felony
* Hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident
* Refusing to stop or fleeing from a law enforcement officer
* Vehicular homicide or manslaughter

You may contact your insurance company or you state’s Department of Motor Vehicle to get more information what falls on the category for major offenses.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Im looking at my MVR to review my DUI convictions and Im having a hard time understanding it. Can you tell me what’s included on the MVR?

Richard

Thank you for asking Richard.

Basically, a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is a driving record kept by a state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV). The DMV records a person’s driving history, depending upon state laws.

Typically, an individual’s driving contains a record of moving violations and convictions, collisions (accidents), and departmental actions incurred by the motorist over a period of time. Departmental actions may include major convictions and arrest for driving related cases such as a DUI.

This information for a motor vehicle history is provided by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) where you are licensed. Each state differ on the system of listing violations and/or coding violations. I would suggest that you contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) to get information on what specific violations on your MVR or driving history mean.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Does it go to your criminal record if you have conviction of driving without insurance in your DMV record?

Tom

Thank you for asking Tom.

When you are cited by a police officer for a traffic violation and you are not able to provide proof of car insurance, the penalties usually range from suspension or revocation of your driver’s license and possibly even fines. Typically this type of infraction is added to your driving history and it usually remain on your driving record between 7-10 years depending on the state where you are licensed.

Some states however consider major and serious moving violations to be a criminal violation at the same time. Cases where DUI leads to a fatal or reckless driving in states, this can be considered a criminal offense. If you got involved in an accident or any serious violation and you are unable to provide proof of auto insurance, it could be considered a criminal offense. Usually criminal offenses incur severe penalties and these infractions remain on your criminal record permanently.

You may contact your state Department of Motor Vehicle to get more information about about moving violations and the penalties you can get for driving without insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

How many years does crashes stay on my DMV record?

Jenny

Thank you for asking Jenny.

The amount of time that an accident stay on your driving record depends upon the state in which you are licensed and reside in. Every state has its own laws and guidelines regarding the amount of time accidents and moving violations stay on the individual’s motor vehicle record, so check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle.

The Texas Department of Public Safety for instance keeps traffic violations and accidents on a driver’s record for a period of 5 years, with the exception of major offenses such as DUI and no liability insurance which stay indefinitely.

All TX accidents that are investigated by a police officer are recorded on the person’s driving record. The record does not show fault but shows the date and location of the crash.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I just want to know how how points are assigned to DMV driving record and how long does it stay there?

Danna

Thank you for asking Danna.

Every state has points system in which they assign points to a individual’s driver’s license and record when they are convicted of a traffic violation. However, not all states have a points system for violations. States vary regarding the points assigned on each violations.

The following are some of the moving violations where points are assigned:

* Reckless driving
* speeding
* Leaving the scene of an accident
* Passing a stopped school bus
* DUI
* Improper passing
* Failure to stop or yield

The amount of time for the points to remain on a driver’s record depends upon the state’s laws. Some states allow points to “fall off” after a certain amount of time while others leave the points on there indefinitely.

To get more information regarding your specific state’s points system and what violations have points assigned to them, you may check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Goodluck!

MariCAR