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So you’re on a weekend trip two states away, and you get pulled over. The police officer gives you an out-of-state speeding ticket for going 15 miles over the posted speed limit. What do you do next? And will the ticket follow you from state to state? Here’s everything you need to know—and why it pays to keep your driving record clean.
What Happens If You Get a Speeding Ticket in Another State?
When you’re driving in another state and you get a ticket, you’re legally required to respond to it, whether you plan on paying the ticket, contesting it, or appearing in court. Most states participate in the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC), which allows them to share ticket information. In other words, if you ignore the citation, the issuing state can notify your home state, potentially leading to license suspension until you resolve the ticket.
Do Out-of-State Tickets Affect Your Driving Record?
If you get an out-of-state traffic ticket, it will likely affect your driving record. But the actual impact of the ticket from another state will depend on the type of violation and the state in which you received it.
Do license points transfer from state to state?
States handle points differently, but many share conviction data through the Driver License Compact (DLC). While the exact point value may not transfer, the violation itself often does.
Will an Out-of-State Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
Your car insurance may well be affected, particularly if you’re young and inexperienced or if this isn’t your first ticket.
How insurers may view tickets from other states
Insurers typically don’t care so much about where you got a ticket, but they will look at the violation and likely raise your rates when it comes time to renew your premium. That’s especially true depending on the type of violation and whether you’ve had multiple tickets in the past.
“Out-of-state traffic violations can still impact your driving record and insurance rates. It’s important to understand how the ticket is reported and address it promptly to avoid additional penalties or surprises later on,” says Larry Anderson, Director, Underwriting Operations.
What to Do After Getting a Ticket While Traveling
Once you’ve received a ticket, the onus is on you to take action ASAP in order to resolve the issue.
Paying vs. contesting the ticket
Paying the ticket is usually the fastest option, but it means you’re admitting guilt. Contesting may be worth considering if the ticket could add points, lead to a large fine, or significantly affect your insurance. If you plan on contesting an out-of-state traffic ticket, just know that you’ll either have to appear in person, you may be able to hire a local attorney to act on your behalf, or you might be asked to appear remotely.
Checking your driving record
After you’ve reached a resolution with your out-of-state speeding ticket, check your driving record through your state’s DMV to confirm how, or if, they recorded the violation. Let’s say you get a speeding ticket while traveling through Texas, and when you check your home state’s DMV record, you notice it lists your violation as “reckless driving” rather than a minor speeding offense. By contacting your DMV and providing proof of the original citation, you can correct the error before your insurance renewal and prevent a potential premium increase based on inaccurate information.
How to Protect Your Rates Moving Forward
Even if the ticket sticks, there are steps you can take to minimize its impact:
Maintain a clean driving record
Be sure you’re going the speed limit and avoid more violations, particularly in the months after your out-of-state ticket. Insurers typically look at patterns of behavior, such as a historically clean driving record, rather than one-offs.
Talk with your insurance agent
Your Mercury Insurance agent can explain whether the ticket is likely to affect your rates. In some states, insurers might even forgive the first minor violation. Your agent can also help you explore options like safe-driver discounts, usage-based programs, or policy adjustments as needed.
Stay Informed Before Your Next Road Trip
Make your next getaway a stress-free experience by adhering to the rules of the road and resolving any traffic tickets as soon as possible. Contact Mercury today for a fast, free auto insurance quote.
Larry Anderson is the Director of Underwriting Operations for Mercury Insurance, where he leads several teams including Audit, Training, and Regulatory Compliance. Anderson has been with Mercury since 2002 when he began as an underwriter. Anderson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
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