Depending on which state your license is from will determine whether you can have points added onto your driving record for an out-of-state traffic violation.

The information below will help you better understand the role that out-of-state traffic tickets play in Kansas and New York.

Summary:

• Kansas drivers will face fines, points, and possibly increased auto insurance rates as a result of paying New York traffic tickets.
• Kansas Department of Licensing will suspend licenses after three moving violations--and New York traffic ticket convictions can count towards that total.
• Hiring an attorney means most Kansans won’t have to return to New York to fight a traffic ticket.

New York may not be Oz but it is still a world away from Kansas. Drivers from the Sunflower State are likely to feel like they are out of their element when they get a traffic ticket while in New York. While Kansans are familiar with how states add hidden fees to tickets, they could be shocked to see just how expensive those fees can get in NY. Even worse, a ticket from NY can come with other unexpected consequences, including massive insurance increases and even a suspended license.

Kansas drivers who get traffic ticket while in New York should not ignore it! At the same time, paying the ticket could bring on a world of hurt. A Kansas driver charged with a traffic violation while in New York has only one choice: Hire a NY attorney to fight the ticket!

New York and Kansas Share Driver Information

Kansas and New York both participate in the Driver’s License Compact. States in the Compact share information about drivers with each other. That means when a Kansas driver is convicted of a traffic ticket issued in New York or fails to respond to a NY ticket, Kansas’s Department of Licensing (DOL) will be notified of the infraction. If a driver fails to respond, pleads guilty, is convicted in court, or refuses to pay the ticket it will be recorded on his/her Kansas driving record.

Kansas Drivers Should Not Ignore a NY Ticket

Ignoring a ticket issued in another state can have serious consequences. New York can suspend driving privileges in the state for any driver that fails to respond to or pay a traffic ticket issued there. Since both states participate in the Compact, Kansas could choose to suspend a Kansas license holder based on the New York traffic ticket.

Kansas Drivers Can Lose Their Kansas License Over a NY Ticket

Kansas does not assess points for violations that occur out of state. However, Kansas drivers who are convicted or plead guilty to three moving violations in 12 months could have their license suspended for one year. Unfortunately, a guilty plea to an out-of-state ticket will count toward that total! Thus, if drivers who are ticketed for speeding and running a red light while in New York and who already have one speeding ticket on their license may find their Kansas driving privileges suspended.

In addition, if a Kansas driver gets suspended in New York, the Kansas DOL may choose to reciprocate a suspension based on the New York suspension. The decision to do this can result from a variety of circumstances, including the reason for the NY suspension and any current or past convictions from the home state. In addition committing infractions worth 11 or more points based on NY’s point system (see below), Kansas drivers could find their license suspended in NY (and thus at home) for violations such as driving without auto insurance, DUI/DWI, or participating in a speed contest.

Kansas Drivers Can Get Points in NY and Lose NY Driving Privileges

Despite being from out of state, Kansas drivers need to be aware of the point value of the infraction(s) they commit in NY. Those who are convicted of offenses worth 11 points or more in under 18 months could find their right to drive in NY suspended. Unfortunately, it is way too easy to reach 11 points in NY. For example, just one ticket for texting while driving (five points) combined with another for speeding 21 mph over the limit (six points) add enough points for a suspension.

A NY Ticket Can Increase Kansas’ Auto Insurance...or Lose it Altogether

Because New York traffic offenses will show up on Kansas driving records, these convictions can impact auto insurance rates. Insurance carriers can update rates whenever they notice a new traffic violation. Insurers tend to pull up the driving record of their customers often, especially around renewal time. A study of Kansas auto insurance carriers found that a single speeding ticket can increases rates by as much as $125 per year! And if the ticket results in a suspended license, premiums rates can go up even more--drivers could even end up getting dropped by their insurer altogether.

Kansas Drivers Will Face Brutal Fines in NY

When a traffic violation occurs in New York, that is the state that sets (and collects) the fine—and those fines are a lot higher than they would be back in Kansas. For example, if running a red light in New York can cost $150, which is twice what Kansas charges for the offense ($75). Likewise, drivers caught speeding 21 mph over the limit in NY may have to fork over $300, rather than the $75 charged back home.

Kansas drivers know to expect a $108 court fee with every ticket. While New York does not charge court fees, it does slap a mandatory state surcharge on top of every ticket. This typically costs $88 to $93. A driver that has been ticketed for texting while driving and speeding 21 mph over the limit can face a combined cost of $636 ($150 for texting + $93 surcharge + $300 for speeding + $93 surcharge).

Surcharges aren’t the only hidden cost drivers face in New York. The state also imposes a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) for those who get six or more points on their license. This is an annual fine that a driver must pay each year for three years after reaching six points. The DRA costs $100 plus an additional $25 for each point over six. Drivers who refuse to pay a DRA (or any fine from New York) could see their driving privileges in New York suspended.

The DRA for the above-mentioned two tickets, which are worth 11 points in total, would cost $675 over three years ($300 for the first six points plus $375 for the three points over six). That means the final cost paid to New York State could be $1,311! This would be in addition to a likely hike in insurance premiums. And since the two tickets alone are worth 11 points, it means a possible suspension of driving privileges.

Kansas Drivers May Not Need to Return to NY to Beat a Ticket

Kansans who get a traffic ticket while in New York might not wish to return to the state. The one good thing about NY tickets is that drivers who hire an attorney to fight the charges most likely won’t have to return to state. Most NY courts allow a lawyer to present an argument and make plea deals on a driver’s behalf.

Remember: Paying a ticket, even one from out of state, does not help drivers avoid the worst consequences. In fact, it’s what causes them in the first place. By hiring an attorney, Kansans can minimize the fines, impact of points, and risk of suspension that come with NY tickets--likely without having to fly back to face a judge. If you recently received a traffic ticket in New York and are licensed to drive in Kansas or any other state, contact Rosenblum Law right away. Our team of experienced NY traffic ticket attorneys can help you avoid the insurance hikes, suspension risk and other consequences that come with a conviction. Contact us today at 888-883-5529.

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