What Goes On My Driving Record? How Can I Get It Expunged?
In the United States, millions of tickets are issued each year for traffic violations. It’s not easy to erase violations from your record, especially if you record serious cases like driving under the influence (DUI) or a hit-and-run accident. But in other less severe cases, it is possible to clear your driving record.
What is a Driving Record?
A driving record is made up of all the times you were in an accident, were convicted of a moving violation, or had your license suspended. In most cases, you can get your driving record from the DMV, either in person or in writing. In some states, you can get it online.
When it comes to driving history, your auto insurance provider can easily see your past driving history. This data helps you determine your rates. For example, if you have a poor driving record, your insurance premiums may go up.
What Goes On A Driving Record?
You can expect to find any of these things on your driving record:
- Moving violations
- Non-moving violations
- Suspended license
- Completion of traffic school
- Restricted driving (daylight only)
- Accidents resulting in citations
Violation Removals
Most violations generally have a set period after which they are removed from your driving record. For example, there is generally nothing you can do to remove a DUI from your driving record (although you can remove it from your criminal history).
Court Fight Citations
You may want to retain an attorney for this, depending on the severity of the charge and the number of points at risk. Keeping your driving record clean requires that you avoid:
- A car accident.
- Any traffic violation.
- Has your license been suspended or revoked?
Remember that your driving record is not only with you from the day you receive your first driver’s license, but until you stop driving. It also has a major impact on various aspects of your life. Therefore, you must keep it as clean as possible.
The Recommendations
Here are some suggestions to help you get a clean driving record once again.
You should first get a copy of your driving record, so you know exactly what it contains. Go to the DMV office or send an application by mail and be prepared to pay a price for the service. Once you have the registry and see what you need to clean up, you can take the necessary steps to make that happen.
Knowing what’s on your current record will help guide you to the right next steps. There are a few ways you can get a copy of your driving record, including:
- Go directly to your state agency (DMV).
- Order online through a third-party provider.
- Ask your insurance provider.
In most cases, your state’s DMV will be the best source for the most current and accurate registration. Once you know what’s on your driving record, you can begin to piece together if anything can be done to erase it. Unfortunately, certain things cannot be deleted.
Enroll in Driving Course
If you receive a ticket for a moving violation, many states offer some type of reliable driving course as a way to reduce points on your driving record. Check with your state agency to see if you’re eligible to have points deducted when you enroll in a driving course.
Contact an Attorney
If you want to clear your driving record, contact one of the best Philadelphia expungement lawyers to tell you how it affects your future options and discuss a strategy for legal representation.
