How Can Drivers Avoid A License Suspension?

Considering that many cities have substandard public transit facilities, people have little choice but to use their vehicles for commuting. According to the American Public Transport Association, Americans took 9.9 billion trips on public transportation in 2019. This figure might seem astounding. However, U.S. Census Bureau research that those trips account for only five percent of the U.S. population. That figure isn’t surprising because the APTA also reports that 45 percent of Americans don’t have access to public transportation.

Figures show that approximately 86 percent of Americans commute to work by automobile. Most Americans don’t possess a vehicle as a luxury. Instead, they need it because few, if any, alternatives exist.

Considering how many vehicles are on American roadways daily, accidents occur. Driving violations and accidents cause drivers problems, including fines, court appearances, and most importantly, license suspensions.

A license suspension in the United States, particularly outside major cities with good public transportation facilities, can create great difficulty for Americans. A license suspension results in losing driving privileges, meaning you’ll need alternatives to commute to and from work, at the very least. Most people can’t afford to take a cab or Uber daily or expect family or friends to take them places frequently. In such situations, your options are limited. Hence, following proper driving practices is the best way to avoid getting a suspended license.

How to Avoid Getting Your License Suspended

Here are some ways you can prevent a license suspension:

Understand the Causes of License Suspension

It’s essential to understand the factors that cause license suspensions so you can avoid them. License suspension policies and procedures are similar in every state, but variations exist. Generally, you’ll want to avoid doing the following:

• Exceeding the allowable points on your driving record in a specified period (usually between two to three years).
• Refusing to take a breathalyzer test when asked by a police officer
• Driving under the influence / Driving while intoxicated
• Going over the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour
• Not carrying state-mandated liability insurance
• Driving with an expired or invalid license

Avoiding these driving violations is vital if you don’t want to get a suspended license. There are penalty guidelines for motor vehicle violations. Still, judges have discretion in the type and length of penalties they assign, depending on the severity and driving history. Drivers with multiple offenses get harsher punishments than those with no prior violations.

Keep Your Traffic Violation Points Low

Keeping the points low on your DMV record is necessary to avoid license suspension. Generally, the state suspends your license if you add more than twelve points in three years; however, this can vary depending on your state.

Points in Florida: Florida suspends a driver’s license 30 days for accumulating 12 points within 12 months. The suspension is 3 months if you accumulate 18 points within 18 months, and one year for accumulating 24 points within 36 months.

Utilize Your Options

Consider taking advantage of any options available to avoid a license suspension. Some states allow drivers to enroll in traffic school for a limited period following their first violation instead of license suspension. Going back to driving school can also help you unlearn bad driving habits and reinforce proper driving skills.

Get Florida SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance from UltraCar Insurance

No one wants to experience losing their driving privileges. However, things don’t always work out as expected. If you need to reinstate your license, you’ll need to file an SR-22 FR-44 Insurance provider Florida certificate, depending on the reason for your suspension.

You can count on UltraCar Insurance to file your high-risk insurance certificate quickly to get you behind the wheel again. We’re a leading SR-22 provider in 34 states nationwide and FR44 Insurance Florida and Virginia. And we’ll help you with non-owner FR-44 insurance and non-owner SR-22 insurance if you don’t own a car. Check our website to learn more, and call or start an online quote today!