Auto insurance rates, while less costly than the financial fallout of causing a severe accident, can still be higher than many would like. To keep your premiums as low as possible, it’s beneficial to minimize traffic violations on your driving record. For instance, a speeding ticket issued in July 2024 could lead to an average 23 percent increase in the cost of full coverage car insurance. The best approach to avoid such an increase is to steer clear of the violations that lead to tickets. However, if you do end up with a ticket, there are still strategies to help mitigate its impact on your insurance rates.

How to get a ticket off your record

There are several strategies you can consider to help get a ticket off your record and potentially lower your auto insurance rates. While not all methods will work for everyone, each approach has its advantages depending on your situation. By exploring these options, you may find ways to minimize the impact of traffic violations on your insurance costs.

1. Opt for traffic school

If you’ve recently received a ticket, such as for a stop sign violation or speeding, you might have the option to take an approved traffic school course instead of accumulating points on your driving record. Enrolling in a defensive driving course for speeding tickets could be an effective approach. Many traffic school programs are available online and can be completed in just a few hours, while others might be offered in-person over a couple of evenings or a weekend.

A traffic school course not only serves as a refresher on driving safety rules and state regulations but may also help in getting points and the citation dismissed or removed from your record, potentially preventing an increase in your insurance premiums. However, most states limit how often you can use traffic school to remove a ticket. Typically, you can only clear one new moving violation by attending traffic school every 12 to 18 months.

Eligibility for traffic school to remove a ticket depends on your state’s regulations. Many states offer ticket dismissal through driving courses, so it’s wise to check your state’s specific rules. Additionally, some insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who complete driver safety courses, which could help reduce your insurance surcharge even if you can’t remove the ticket from your record.

2. Contest the citation

If traffic school isn’t an option for removing a ticket from your driving record, you might consider contesting it. By contesting a ticket, you are challenging the citation rather than accepting it. While this approach can be challenging—since the officer who issued the ticket will typically be present to provide evidence against you—it can be worth pursuing if you have strong evidence that the citation was issued in error.

Contesting a ticket requires extra effort, including attending a court hearing and presenting your case. To increase your chances of success, gather evidence that supports your claim that the ticket was incorrect. Although hiring an attorney is not mandatory, it may be advisable depending on the ticket’s severity.

Look for technical errors on the ticket, such as incorrect or missing information, as these could potentially work in your favor. If the officer fails to appear in court, your case may also be dismissed. However, even with technicalities on your side, you will need to present compelling evidence to support your argument for dismissal. Consulting with a legal professional before pursuing this option can help you prepare effectively.

3. Delay the ticket

If you don’t have strong evidence to contest the ticket, consider requesting a delay in the court hearing. By seeking a continuance, you can push the hearing date as far into the future as possible, potentially giving you more time to manage the situation.

A delay could lead to beneficial changes, such as the officer who issued the ticket transferring or retiring before the rescheduled hearing, which might result in an automatic dismissal if they fail to appear. Additionally, since auto insurance rates are typically adjusted at the time of policy renewal, delaying the ticket until after your next renewal period may help you avoid immediate rate increases.

It’s advisable to consult with a legal professional before pursuing this strategy to ensure it aligns with your best interests.

4. Reach out to the Clerk of the Court in your area

In some U.S. jurisdictions, the Clerk of Court has the authority to modify a citation, such as a speeding ticket, to a non-moving violation that won’t impact your car insurance premiums. To explore this option, contact the Clerk of Court in your area, typically located at the county courthouse. You might find their contact information on the ticket itself or by searching online.

Even if the Clerk of Court can reduce the ticket’s severity to a non-moving violation, you will likely still be required to pay the full fine and any associated court costs.

5. Ask for a deferral

A deferral postpones the processing of your ticket, allowing you extra time before it appears on your driving record. This delay can prevent your insurance company from discovering the violation immediately, potentially helping you avoid a rate increase. During the deferral period, which typically lasts one year, the violation won’t impact your record.

Securing a deferral requires some effort and patience. You may need to appear in court to request it, and a judge or district attorney will need to approve your application. Deferral fees usually range from $100 to $300, though this cost is often less than the potential increase in your insurance premiums following a moving violation.

While a deferral does not eliminate the ticket entirely, it provides an opportunity to have the violation dismissed if you avoid additional infractions during the deferral period. This could reduce the duration your insurance rates are affected. Since insurance rates are adjusted at renewal, a deferral might shorten the period of increased premiums due to the citation. If you generally avoid traffic violations, managing to stay ticket-free during the deferral period could make this approach successful.