Berkeley California Traffic Violations
If you have been charged with a Berkeley California traffic violation or Berkeley California speeding ticket, the California Motor Vehicle Department (DMV) in Berkeley California this can affect your driving record, depending on the type of infraction. As with most states, you can expect to pay a fine based on the area in which you received your Berkeley California traffic violation or Berkeley California speeding ticket. Berkeley California traffic violations can be paid by mail, in person at the courthouse, by check or money, by phone, or even online, depending on the county in which you received your ticket.
Berkeley California Points System and Suspension of Licenses
There are two levels of Berkeley California traffic violations: 1-point offenses and 2-point offenses. See the Berkeley California DMV website for a complete list of Berkeley California traffic violations and Berkeley California point assignments.
Some of the most common traffic violations include:
- A traffic conviction: 1 point
- Speeding: 1 point
- An at-fault accident: 1 point
- Reckless driving or hit-and-run driving: 2 points
- DUI: 2 points
- Driving while suspended or revoked: 2 points
The California DMV in Berkeley California will notify you when you are halfway to a Berkeley California license suspension. Because you can only remove 1-point offensive with a Berkeley California defensive driving course, it is important to be aware of your Berkeley California driver's license record and take steps accordingly. Your Berkeley California driver's license could be suspended if you accumulate more than:
- 4 points in 12 months
- 6 points in 24 months
- 8 points in 36 months
Points can be masked from your Berkeley California driving record in two ways. First, 1-point Berkeley California traffic violations will automatically clear after three years, as well as most 2-point Berkeley California traffic violation offenses. However, you can attend a Berkeley California internet defensive driving school or Berkeley California online traffic school to help mask the ticket.
Attending a Berkeley California Defensive Driving School or Berkeley California Traffic School
If you have received a Berkeley California speeding ticket or have been stopped for a Berkeley California traffic violation, which includes minor infractions such as speeding or failing to yield, you can take a Berkeley California defensive driving course online to mask violations and points from your Berkeley California driving record.
The Berkeley California Department of Motor Vehicles does not recommend specific Berkeley California defensive driving schools or Berkeley California traffic schools, so be sure to check with your school to make sure it is fully accredited with the state.
The Benefits of a Masked Berkeley California Driving Record
A masked Berkeley California driving record can help you in several ways. By taking a Berkeley California online defensive driving course, you can mask 1-point Berkeley California traffic violations from your Berkeley California driver record. Because you can only take one Berkeley California defensive driving course per 18-month period, iit is important to be aware of accumulated points and to mask them in a timely manner. If you have accrued 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months, your Berkeley California license will be suspended.
In addition, a masked Berkeley California driving record is essential to keeping your Berkeley California car insurance premium as low as possible. In general, the less traffic violations you have on your Berkeley California driving history, the lower your insurance premiums will be. Most Berkeley California car insurance companies will charge higher premiums for each point accumulated. However, Berkeley California car insurance companies often offer a car insurance premium reduction of 5-15% for completion of a Berkeley California defensive driver program, depending on the provider.
Berkeley California Mature Driver Discount Programs
Berkeley California drivers 55 and older are eligible to receive car insurance discount for completing a licensed Berkeley California Mature Driver Discount Program. There are many Berkeley California Mature Driver courses designed to teach current road rules, defensive driving techniques, and generally improve driving skills. These Berkeley California Mature Driver classes cover topics such as how to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots, how to monitor your own driving capabilities, vision and hearing changes, hazardous driving situations, and the effects of medication while driving. Courses include at least 400 minutes of instruction and carry a maximum fee of $30 in addition to a $1 DMV certificate charge, which can be used to obtain a Berkeley California car insurance reduction, depending on your Berkeley California insurance provider.
Berkeley California Juvenile Driver Programs
Berkeley California teen drivers are under special scrutiny from the Berkeley California Department of Motor Vehicles. If you are a Berkeley California teen driver and have received a traffic ticket, your driving license could be suspended if you fail to pay your Berkeley California traffic ticket fine in a timely fashion, usually within six months of the violation. Upon your first at-fault accident, the DMV will send a warning letter. Then, if you are convicted for a second at-fault accident within a 12-month period, your driver's license will be suspended unless you are accompanied by a parent or licensed adult over 25. Berkeley California teen drivers can find out more information about Berkeley California traffic violations and point assignment at the Berkeley California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Enrolling in a Berkeley California online defensive driving course can help educate younger drivers in order to avoid Berkeley California traffic violations, Berkeley California speeding tickets, and accidents in the first place. In addition, many Berkeley California car insurance companies offer a discount for certification of a completed Berkeley California online defensive driving course or Berkeley California online traffic school. In addition to a possible Berkeley California insurance rate reduction, Berkeley California defensive driving courses are also recommended for new drivers because they teach practical skills that will help avoid accidents and traffic tickets in the future.
Berkeley California Classroom Traffic Schools
Remember: the Department of Motor Vehicles in Berkeley California cannot refer drivers to a specific Berkeley California defensive driving school or Berkeley California traffic school, so make sure to check that a school is accredited with the state.