How long does a ticket stay on your record?

The answer to, "how long does a ticket stay on your record?" will vary by state and by the severity of the infraction. While some states keep tickets on your record for up to 10 years, the average amount of time is only three years. Your auto insurance rates will likely increase with a ticket, and multiple tickets can result in high-risk auto insurance. You can take a defensive driving class and use discounts to lower your rates.

UPDATED: Apr 18, 2023Fact Checked

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Sara Routhier

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Sara Routhier, Managing Editor and Outreach Director, has professional experience as an educator, SEO specialist, and content marketer. She has over five years of experience in the insurance industry. As a researcher, data nerd, writer, and editor she strives to curate educational, enlightening articles that provide you with the must-know facts and best-kept secrets within the overwhelming world o...

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Written by Sara Routhier

Sr. Director of Content

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Heidi Mertlich

Licensed Insurance Agent

Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, Finance101.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she under...

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Reviewed by Heidi Mertlich

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UPDATED: Apr 18, 2023

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How long does a ticket stay on your record?

Every driver has a record that monitors their driving and records how long they’ve had a license, accidents, tickets, and DUI offenses.

Every time you acquire an infraction, you will receive points. However, those points on your license aren’t beneficial. Once you accumulate enough points, your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked. Every state determines that points limit.

Every state also determines how long points remain on your record. Although the average is three years, some states — like Hawaii — allow tickets to stay on your record for 10 years.

The type of ticket you receive also makes a difference. Tickets for minor speeding violations are treated differently than tickets for DUI infractions or major accidents.

For example, how long does a speeding ticket remain on your record in Georgia, New Mexico, Florida, and Tennessee? While New Mexico only maintains a ticket on your record for one year, Georgia and Tennessee tickets remain on your record for two years. Florida, on the other hand, displays tickets on your record for five years.

While the majority of states only keep tickets active on your record for three years or less, those three years can cost you a lot of money.

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How does a ticket affect your auto insurance rates?

There are many different factors that affect your auto insurance rates, and the most significant is your driving record.

Your driving record gives an auto insurance company an indication of how risky you are to insure. Are you a safe driver with a clean record? Or are you a driver who racks up speeding tickets and has had multiple accidents within the last few years?

The more likely you are to cost your auto insurance company money, the higher your rates. This table discloses average annual rates from top companies based on driving records.

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Driving History

Companies	Average Annual Rates with a Clean Record	Average Annual Rates with One Accident	Average Annual Rates with One DUI	Average Annual Rates with One Speeding Violation
Allstate	$3,819.90	$4,987.68	$6,260.73	$4,483.51
American Family	$2,693.61	$3,722.75	$4,330.24	$3,025.74
Farmers	$3,460.60	$4,518.73	$4,718.75	$4,079.01
Geico	$2,145.96	$3,192.77	$4,875.87	$2,645.43
Liberty Mutual	$4,774.30	$6,204.78	$7,613.48	$5,701.26
Nationwide	$2,746.18	$3,396.95	$4,543.20	$3,113.68
Progressive	$3,393.09	$4,777.04	$3,969.65	$4,002.28
State Farm	$2,821.18	$3,396.01	$3,636.80	$3,186.01
Travelers	$3,447.69	$4,289.74	$5,741.40	$4,260.80
USAA	$1,933.68	$2,516.24	$3,506.03	$2,193.25

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Drivers with tickets, accidents, and DUI violations will pay much higher rates than drivers who maintain a clean record. The good news is that — in most states — points will drop off of your record over time which will lower your rates.

How long does a ticket remain on your insurance? Similar to your driving record, tickets can affect your insurance for three years on average but for longer in some states. Again, it will depend on your state and the severity of the infraction.

Remember that although the points from a ticket are removed after a certain amount of time, the offense stays on your record forever. However, insurance companies only consider recent tickets when determining rates.

It should be noted that some tickets, such as parking tickets, won’t cause your auto insurance rates to increase.

How can you save on auto insurance with a ticket?

If you’ve received a ticket and have seen your car insurance rates increase, there are still ways in which you can obtain lower rates. The best long-term option is to clean up your driving record. Obey traffic laws and drive carefully to avoid adding more violations to your record.

In the short term, there are also several ways that you can lower your rates.

First, take a defensive driving course. In some states, a driving course can remove points from your record. Also, many auto insurance companies will offer a discount for taking the course.

Next, take advantage of auto insurance discounts. Most insurance companies offer multiple types of discounts based on your driving history, your driving record, the type of policy you have, and the features of your vehicle.

This table displays common auto insurance discounts that you can find from top companies.

Auto Insurance Discounts Available by Company

Discounts	21st Century	AAA	Allstate	American Family	Ameriprise	Amica	Country Financial	Esurance	Farmers	Geico	Liberty Mutual	MetLife	Nationwide	Progressive	Safe Auto	Safeco	State Farm	The General	The Hanover	The Hartford	Travelers	USAA
Adaptive Cruise Control	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No		No	No
Adaptive Headlights	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Anti-lock Brakes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Anti-Theft	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Daytime Running Lights	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Electronic Stability Control	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Utility Vehicle	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Vehicle Recovery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
VIN Etching	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Lane Departure Warning	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Newer Vehicle	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Green Vehicle	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No			No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Forward Collision Warning	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Claim Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Continuous Coverage	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Defensive Driver	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Distant Student	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Driver's Ed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Driving Device/App	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Early Signing	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency Deployment	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Engaged Couple	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Family Legacy	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Family Plan	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Farm Vehicle	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Fast 5	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No		No	No
Federal Employee	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Full Payment	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Further Education	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Garaging/Storing	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Good Credit	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Good Student	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Homeowner	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Life Insurance	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Low Mileage	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Loyalty	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
Married	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
Membership/Group	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Military	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Military Garaging	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Multiple Drivers	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Multiple Policies	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiple Vehicles	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
New Address	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Customer/New Plan		No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Graduate	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Newly Licensed	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Newlyweds	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Occasional Operator	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Occupation	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
On Time Payments	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No		Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Online Shopper	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Paperless Documents	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Paperless/Auto Billing	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Passive Restraint	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Recent Retirees	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Renter	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Roadside Assistance	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Safe Driver	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Seat Belt Use	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Senior Driver	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Stable Residence	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes		Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Students & Alumni	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Switching Provider	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Volunteer	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Young Driver	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

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Acquiring discounts can make a significant impact on your auto insurance rates. Be sure to bundle all of the discounts you are eligible for to receive the most savings.

You can also consider switching to usage-based auto insurance. In that case, your auto insurance company monitors your driving using telematics and offers you either a discount or lower rates based on how well you drive.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, telematics can also improve your driving skills. Drivers are much more likely to correct poor driving habits quickly due to the immediate feedback given by the telematics system. This can save you money and maintain your safety.

How Long Tickets Stay on Your Record: The Bottom Line

Every state decides how long tickets remain on your record, but the average is only three years. However, some states will keep tickets on your driving record for up to 10 years.

Your auto insurance rates will increase with every ticket you receive, and multiple tickets will cause your rates to skyrocket. However, you can take a defensive driving class and use discounts to lower your rates.

Finding affordable auto insurance after receiving a ticket is possible if you shop around. Not every company will view your driving record in the same manner, and each company will offer different rates.

Now that you know how long a ticket stays on your record, compare free quotes from auto insurance companies near you to find the lowest rates possible by entering your ZIP code now.

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Written by:

Sara Routhier

Sr. Director of Content

Full Bio →

Written by Sara Routhier

Sr. Director of Content

Reviewed by:

Heidi Mertlich

Licensed Insurance Agent

Full Bio →

Reviewed by Heidi Mertlich

Licensed Insurance Agent

How long does a ticket stay on your record?

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It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

On This Page

How long does a ticket stay on your record?

How does a ticket affect your auto insurance rates?

How can you save on auto insurance with a ticket?

How Long Tickets Stay on Your Record: The Bottom Line

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How long does a ticket stay on your record?

Free Car Insurance Comparison

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

On This Page

How long does a ticket stay on your record?

How does a ticket affect your auto insurance rates?

How can you save on auto insurance with a ticket?

How Long Tickets Stay on Your Record: The Bottom Line

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