What Happens When You Get a Traffic Ticket While Driving a Rental Car in NY?

Posted on 
August 31, 2018
By 
No Comments

Plenty of drivers who rent a car are extra diligent in their driving habits. Whether the rental is a temporary replacement for a car that is in the shop or is for driving while on vacation, it is normal for drivers to be more cautious than normal about getting into an accident in a car they do not own.

Unfortunately, not all rental car drivers are as diligent with avoiding traffic tickets. How a traffic ticket affects the driver of a rental car depends on how the ticket was issued—via traffic camera or by a police officer.

Police-issued Ticket to Rental Driver

Regardless of whether one is in their home state or another state, when a police officer issues a traffic ticket, the ticket is associated with the license of the driver. As such, the effect is the same as though the driver had been in their own vehicle.

If the car was rented while out-of-state, many drivers are tempted to toss the ticket. They assume an out-of-state traffic ticket will not follow them home. This is a huge mistake. Most states communicate when driver from outside their state is convicted of a traffic violation or fails to pay a traffic ticket. Those who do not pay out of state tickets can face a variety of issues, including points and fines. Some states, like New York, will even suspend the right to drive in the state should the ticket go unpaid. In addition, most local licensing authorities will display out-of-state traffic tickets on driving records, which means that ticket can affect a person’s auto insurance rates.

Camera-issued Ticket to Rental Driver

Traffic cameras, including red light cams, speed cameras, and even bus stop parking cameras, have no way of knowing who is driving a car. All the camera can do is photograph the vehicle and license plate in the process of committing a violation. Because the license plate is registered to the rental car company, the ticket is sent there.

Drivers should not assume that this means they will get off scot-free. The date and time stamp on the ticket will tell the rental car company who the car was loaned to when it was ticketed. As such, the rental car company will either bill the driver for the cost (possibly with an “administration fee” charge tacked on) or deduct it from any possible damage deposit.

How to Fight a Rental Car Traffic Ticket

This also depends on how the ticket was issued. For camera-based tickets, there may be no option to fight the ticket; the rental car company most often pays the civil fine and then charges the driver. By the time the driver finds out, it is usually too late to fight the ticket. The good news is that there is little chance the ticket will appear on one’s driving record, and even if it did, camera tickets in nearly all states do not carry points.

When a police officer issues a traffic ticket, drivers will almost always be able to challenge the ticket. If the ticket was issued in one’s home state, there is no difference between this and a ticket received while in one’s own vehicle. If the ticket was issued while out of state, then things can get more complicated. Drivers should first contact their local DMV to find out how an out-of-state ticket will affect them. Then they should contact an attorney licensed in that state to find out the best strategy for avoiding the consequences.

Who Should You Contact?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket while driving a rental car (or your own car) in New York or New Jersey, you should speak with an attorney to find out if and how you can beat the charges. The lawyers of the Rosenblum Law are experienced traffic ticket attorneys with offices in New York and New Jersey. Email or call 888-883-5529 for a free consultation about your case

Author Bio

Adam H. Rosenblum

Founding Attorney Of Rosenblum Law

Adam H. Rosenblum is an experienced and skilled traffic violations and criminal defense attorney. Mr. Rosenblum provides expert and aggressive representation to those facing points on their drivers’ licenses and the associated fines and surcharges.

Read Full Bio

No Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free Consultation

Call us now for a quick, free, and no obligation colustion with one of our attorneys.
888-883-5529

Featured Experts

Kent Ng

NYPD (Ret.)
Read More

Mike Gheller

NYPD Officer
Read More

Travis Hall

NY State Police
Read More

Related Articles

Learn more about traffic tickets and criminal matters in New York and New Jersey.

Operating An Uninspected Motor Vehicle In New York – VTL 306

Life can get pretty busy, so for many drivers one of the last things on your mind is making sure...
Read More
January 21, 2013

Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Authority Is Open For Business

We reported previously that Suffolk County was changing the way they handle traffic violations beginning April 1, 2013.  As of...
Read More
April 8, 2013

Are U.S Postal Service Workers Immune To Traffic Tickets?

The short answer is no. You may have seen police officers violating traffic laws in non-emergency situations, such as officers...
Read More
April 10, 2013

We've Fought Over 50,000 Traffic Ticket Cases

Call us now for a quick, free, and no-obligation consultation.
888-883-5529
chevron-down Free Consult Call Now linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram