Why Should I Care About This Driver Record Baloney?
First of all, it’s spelled B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Second, if you have racked up too many negligent driver points, your license will either be suspended or revoked by the DMV. You can apply for a new license at the end of this period, and hopefully you’ve changed your ways by then. Oh, sure, it starts with a few minor traffic violations here and there, but before you know it you’ll be committing grand larceny, bank fraud, and/or treason. We just don’t want to start seeing your name in the paper. Unless it’s for inventing some useful electronic gadget, or winning a peace prize. That would be pretty cool.
Each time you have a mark on your record, it stays there for 36 months (or longer, if you did something really shady). Your license can be suspended for 30 days if you accumulate 12 points within a 12-month period, three months if you accumulate 18 points in an 18-month period, or one year if you accumulate 24 points in a 36-month period. If you can put up 30 points in 42 minutes, you’ll probably make tonight’s highlight reel on ESPN.
Like a Vandal in the Wind
If you absolutely must destroy something, either break a pencil or beat up on your pillow. It’s far too costly to be caught doing anything worse, such as spray-painting graffiti onto the side of a bridge or keying your ex-boyfriend’s Mustang. If already licensed, you can lose your license for a couple years; if you’re not there yet, you can have the issuance of your license delayed for several years. And you’re going to need your license, because it sounds like you’ll have to be doing a lot of running from the authorities.
Here are a few examples of what can get you points on your driving record:
3-pointers
- Driving during restricted hours
- Unlawful speed of 15mph or less over lawful and posted speed limit
- Child restraint violation
- Driving with an open container as the vehicle operator
- Most minor moving violations
- Any shot made from beyond the 3-point arc
4-pointers
- Reckless driving
- Any moving violation that results in a crash
- Passing a stopped school bus
- Unlawful speed of 16mph or more over lawful and posted speed limit
- Violation of a traffic control signal/sign/device (no points if you were caught by a camera, though; only if you were nabbed by the coppers)
- Rear-ending someone important, like Mickey Mouse
6-pointers
- Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50
- Unlawful speed resulting in a crash