It’s frustrating to get a speeding ticket, even more so when it happens out of state. If you live in Georgia and received a ticket in Tennessee, the situation might feel confusing since every state handles violations differently.
While paying the fine may seem like the end of the story, it’s important to understand how a speeding ticket in one state impacts your insurance rates at home.
Will Tennessee report my speeding ticket to Georgia?
Tennessee won’t officially report your speeding ticket to Georgia because neither state is part of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC). It is an agreement between 45 states that share traffic violation data. Since Georgia and Tennessee are among the five states that don’t participate, they don’t automatically exchange information about speeding tickets through this compact.
However, both states are members of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). Under this agreement, your home state can suspend your driver’s license if you fail to pay or resolve a traffic ticket received in another member state. If you don’t take care of a speeding ticket in Tennessee, Georgia could suspend your license through the NRVC.
Do car insurance companies check out-of-state tickets?
Car insurance companies can check out-of-state tickets, and they often do, especially when they renew your policy or if you apply for a new one. Insurance companies use your driving record to help determine how risky you are to insure, including looking back at past tickets or violations from other states, not just your home state.
Insurance companies typically use a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to assess your driving history. This report is pulled from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and because of data-sharing agreements between states, out-of-state violations appear on the report.
How do I minimize the impact of a speeding ticket on insurance rates?
Getting a speeding ticket while driving out of state might seem like something that won’t follow you home, but it often does. Many states share driving records through national databases, which means your insurance company could still find out.
Here’s how to reduce the impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance rates:
- Pay the ticket: Ignoring a ticket from another state can escalate the situation. Most states are part of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC), which means failing to pay can lead to a suspended license in your home state.
- Check how your state handles out-of-state violations: Each state handles out-of-state violations differently. Some may record the ticket and apply points to your license. Find out your state DMV’s policy or contact them directly to determine how an out-of-state violation is treated.
- Notify your insurance company strategically: You’re not always required to report a minor ticket to your insurer. However, the ticket may still arise if your insurer pulls your driving record during a policy renewal. Being upfront can help if you have a lengthy clean driving history, especially if you’re switching insurers.
- Shop around before renewal: If your insurer raises your rates due to the ticket, shop around. Auto insurance companies assess risk differently; some may offer more affordable rates even with a minor violation on your record.
One speeding ticket won’t ruin your driving record forever. Most insurers look at violations from the past three to five years, so keeping your record clean after the incident can help lower your rates over time.
The bottom line
While Tennessee may not directly report a paid speeding ticket to Georgia’s DMV due to its non-participation in the Driver’s License Compact, your car insurance company can still find out about out-of-state violations through national databases. Paying the ticket promptly can help you avoid a license suspension.
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