The Wisconsin Department of Transportation states that most convictions on a driving record are eligible to be removed five years after the conviction date. Many alcohol related convictions such as operating while under the influence of intoxicants, with a violation date after December 31, 1988, remain on the driving record for 55 years. There are also commercial driver convictions which remain on the record for 55 years.

The WI DOT also notes that as long as convictions remain on the driver record, the points for those convictions remain available to determine whether 12 or more points have accumulated in any 12-month period. The violation dates, not the conviction dates, are used in that determination.

There are ways in which to reduce your demerit points. If you have completed an approved traffic safety course, you can request a three-point reduction of your demerit point total. Courses can be taken as often as you wish, however, you can receive only one point reduction every three years.

So a speeding ticket does not stay on your driving record only 1 year in Wisconsin but for 5 years according to this WI DOT information and the points remain on your record as long as the violation does. Insurance companies normally have a look back period to rate on a violation conviction for 3, 5 or 7 years. Since your speeding ticket would be on your motor vehicle record (MVR) for 5 years then an insurance company could rate you on this offense for that time period or for a lesser time period.

The Wisconsin insurance regulator, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, states that when determining the rate for an auto insurance policy, insurers separate drivers into categories called classifications.

Drivers are classified based on a number of different characteristics including, but not limited to, age and gender, marital status, where the vehicle is garaged, driving record, make and model of vehicle, prior insurance coverage and annual miles driven. History has shown that drivers with certain characteristics, such as a poor driving record, have a greater chance of being involved in an accident, and the drivers in those classifications must pay higher rates.

While some of the classification criteria (such as age and sex) are out of your control, others, such as driving record and type of vehicle driven, are within your control. In WI your insurer may charge an extra fee, a surcharge, if you are involved in a chargeable accident or were ticketed for a traffic violation. Surcharges must be applied in a uniform manner and are required to be filed with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.

Since insurance companies look back period and rating systems vary you will need to contact your insurance company to see how long they will rate you on the speeding ticket.Your insurance agent should be able to tell you about your insurance provider's rating system and/or you can contact the WI insurance regulator with whom rates and surcharge information must be filed with.

You can always shop around for low cost car insurance if your current Wisconsin auto insurance rates are too high due to this speeding ticket or other violations on your MVR.