Insurance companies might differ as to what they determine to be a major traffic violation on your driving record. In general though, there are several offenses that both the DMV and insurance companies consider to be major traffic violations.
What counts as a major driving violation?
A major driving violation is any traffic or criminal offence behind the wheel that signals high risk to insurers and state DMVs.
Although there is no standardized universal list, many state motor‑vehicle departments and auto‐insurance carriers classify as major those infractions that carry substantial legal or safety consequences.
Examples include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (DUI/OWI/DWI)
- Driving with an invalid, revoked or suspended license
- Deckless or negligent driving
- Drag racing and racing on public roads
- Use of a vehicle to commit a felony
- Leaving the scene of an accident (hit‑and‑run)
- Refusing to stop or fleeing from law enforcement
- Vehicular homicide or manslaughter
Why it mattersInsurers treat these offences as high‑risk signals that a driver is more likely to file a costly claim.
How major violations affect your car insurance rates
Major violations can trigger double‑digit premium surges, longer record retention periods, and possible coverage refusals.
Premium spikes. Insurance companies raise rates for drivers with serious violations because these drivers statistically pose a greater risk. For example, while a minor speeding ticket might boost rates by 20‑30 %, a DUI or hit‑and‑run can result in increases of 50% or more.
Duration of impact. The record of a major violation tends to stick around longer. Some infractions stay on your driving/insurance history for 5‑10 years or more, depending on jurisdiction and insurer.
Additional consequences. You might lose “good‑driver” discounts, face non‑renewal of your policy, require an SR‑22 (high‑risk insurance filing) or pay steeper surcharges.
Major vs. minor violations and why they matter
The key distinctions center on the severity of the offence, risk to others, insurer reaction and record longevity.
Understanding whether an offence is treated as a major or a minor violation helps you anticipate how insurers will treat your case and how your record may recover. See more in the table below.
| Feature | Minor violation | Major violation |
|---|---|---|
| Typical examples | Speeding a few mph over, rolling a stop sign, failure to signal | DUI, hit‑and‑run, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving |
| Risk to insurer | Moderate | High |
| Premium impact | Often modest, maybe temporary | Large increase, long‑term |
| Record retention | 3‑5 years typical | 5‑10+ years possible |
| Coverage risk | Usually safe | May lead to refusal to insure |
Steps to minimize the damage (after the violation)
You may not be able to remove a major violation from your record immediately, but you can act to contain its impact and rebuild your standing.
- Complete an approved defensive‑driving or traffic‑school course, if eligible — this may reduce license points or show insurers you are taking corrective action.
- Maintain a clean driving record going forward. The longer you go without further violations, the more insurers may lower your rate.
- Shop around for quotes. Some insurers treat past violations more favourably than others; switching carriers may yield savings.
- Ask about discounts. Even after a major violation you might still qualify for low‑mileage, multi‑policy, telematics, safety‑features or loyalty discounts.
- Explore legal options. For severe violations (e.g., felony driving offences and DUI) you may want to consult an attorney to see if reduction or dismissal is possible — this could reduce long‑term impact.
Final thoughts
Major driving violations carry far greater consequences for your auto‑insurance profile than you might assume. By understanding how insurers classify and respond to such violations — from steep premium increases to long‑term risk ratings — you’re better positioned to act quickly, mitigate the damage and rebuild your record.
The long game matters: a clean driving history is one of your best levers when it comes to keeping insurance costs manageable.
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