Driving records comprise all driver details such as personal information, moving violations, driving license classification, accidents, fines, revocations, and suspensions. Your driving record does not show any criminal records that are not related to driving. Depending on the state, most of the driving violations are dropped after three to five years. If you move between states, your driving record still follows you, but differences may exist.
If your driving history is free from any violations and records, you have a clean driving record. Keeping a clean record can be achieved by avoiding common road use offenses such as license and insurance violations, reckless driving, minor moving violations, and mechanical issues such as broken brake lights.
Importance of a Clean Driving Record
When looking for an insurance company to protect your vehicle, you will get the best rates if you have a clean driving record. All the insurance companies use the report for the history of your claims, and they can access all the data on your vehicle’s report. Companies have various ways of doing things, and some may do away with some violations while others pay attention to all your offenses.
Some employers also look at your driving record when hiring. If you have any traffic offenses and violations in your history, it is important, to tell the truth since the employer can find out from your record. Proper documentation and honesty can help you gain more points in the hiring process.
Insurance companies prefer drivers with a clean driving record since they are likely to minimize their risks when insuring their cars. If you have violated any traffic laws and caused accidents in the past, you are more likely to have the same issues, hence a greater liability for the insurance companies.
How to Get a Clean Record
Some practices can help you get and maintain a clean driving record. These are;
Checking your record
If you need to check your driving record, you can do it with the department of motor vehicles. You can request your copy in person, by mail, or through online means. Third-party companies can also check the records for you.
Whenever you suspect that there could be changes in your record, it is important to check. If you are looking for a driving-related job, it will help to check your record and rectify where need be.
Safe driving
Faulty accidents and overspeeding are the major sources of high-risk insurance rates. Intoxicated driving also affects your record of driving and leads to high premiums. Safe driving will help you avoid the payment of high insurance premiums.
You can also learn safe driving habits by enrolling in defensive driving classes. Some insurance companies give discounts for the classes, and others reduce your premium after confirmation that you have taken the course.
Paying fines promptly.
Drivers may get involved in minor offenses such as forgetting to pay for tickets, misplacing, or losing them. When this happens, the state may suspend their licenses until the fines are paid. Failure to pay the fines promptly may also lead to increased insurance rates.
Paying the fines as soon as possible helps clean up the record to restore it to a good one. Some penalties cannot be removed, and hence you may have to wait. You could have to wait for three years in some situations, but some may take longer depending on the offense.
Clean driving records are important in various ways. It is vital to keep your record clean to avoid problems with the authorities and the insurance companies. Learning to be cautious and alert when driving may take time, but it helps you enjoy a safe and accident-free life.
