Even beyond Manhattan, New York State stands in stark contrast to Idaho’s mountainous landscapes and small, pleasant towns. But it’s not just the density, hustle, and demeanor of the Empire State that is so vastly different from the Gem State. The cost of a traffic ticket can be two or three times more expensive in the former.
A person who is licensed to drive in Idaho and should assume he/she can just ignore a traffic ticket issued in New York. Nor should a driver just give up and pay the ticket. Either decision can result in numerous unexpected costs and other severe consequences—including losing the right to drive in one or both states.
The information below will help you better understand the role that out-of-state traffic ticket play in Idaho and New York.
Both Idaho and New York are members of the Driver’s License Compact. Their participation in this interstate agreement means that each state will share information about drivers licensed in their state. It also means that if an Idaho driver is ticketed while in New York, the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles will contact Idaho’s Division of Motor Vehicles with details of the infraction. Likewise, Idaho will record every conviction received in NY on a person’s driving record. This will also show points received from New York traffic tickets and any suspensions of driving privileges.
When a driver with an Idaho license is ticketed in New York, it is the latter state which sets the fines. This could be a huge shock for many Idaho drivers, as fines for common infractions are significantly more expensive in New York than in their home state. For example, speeding 20 mph over the limit in Idaho is a $90 fine in Idaho. However, in New York, that same violation would cost $300. Speeding 31 mph over the limit is a $155 fine in Idaho but costs $600 in New York! Likewise, Idaho drivers caught texting behind the wheel will face an $85 fine at home, but will forced to pay $150 in New York.
Idaho’s traffic fines include court fees and other surcharges. In New York, these costs are separate from the fine and often catch drivers by surprise, especially those from out of state. Every driver convicted of a traffic infraction in NYS is required to pay a mandatory state surcharge that typically costs $88 to $93 per violation. That means an Idaho driver that has been ticketed for texting while driving and speeding 21 mph over the limit could end up paying $636 in fines and surcharges ($150 for texting + $93 surcharge + $300 for speeding + $93 surcharge).
But surcharges aren’t the only hidden cost in New York’s traffic fine system. The state also has a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA), which occurs when drivers accrues six points or more on their license. The DRA is an annual fine that a driver must pay each year for three years after reaching six points. It costs $100 plus $25 for each point over six. Drivers who refuse to pay a DRA (or any fine from New York) will see their driving privileges in New York suspended.
Idaho drivers who receive 12 points or more on their license in 12 months will have their license temporarily suspended. Most violations in Idaho carry one to three points, with a small handful worth four points.
New York is not so generous. Drivers who accrue 11 points in 18 months will have their driving privileges suspended in NY. Using the above-mentioned example of texting while driving and speeding 21 mph over the limit, a driver would only face three points for such violations in Idaho (speeding is a three-point violation and texting while driving is point-exempt). However, in New York, texting while driving is a five-point violation and speeding 21 mph over the limit is good for six-points. A conviction for these two tickets could result in a suspension!
The Gem State does not reciprocate fines or points on drivers who are conviction of violations in New York. However, it may choose to reciprocate a suspension. The decision to do this will be based on a variety of circumstances, including the reason for the NY suspension and any current or past convictions from the home state. In addition to accruing 11 points based on NY’s point system, Idaho drivers could find their license suspended in NY (and thus at home) for violations such as drunk driving, racing, or driving without auto insurance.
Because Idaho will record convictions from New York on driving records at home, Idaho auto insurance providers are very likely to learn of them. Every insurance carrier regularly checks the driving record of the drivers they insure and will update a driver’s rate whenever it notices new convictions. An out-of-state traffic conviction or suspension on an Idaho driving record can cause premiums to potentially skyrocket.
Idaho drivers face a great deal when they are handed an out-of-state traffic ticket. Although it might be tempting to simply plead guilty and pay the fine, doing so will not make these negative consequences go away. In fact, the conviction is the very thing that brings most of them on. The best way to successfully avoid the negative consequences of an out-of-state traffic ticket is to hire an experienced traffic ticket attorney to fight the ticket.
If you recently received a New York traffic ticket, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-883-5529.
AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI DC WY