Becoming a habitual traffic offender does not happen overnight. But it doesn’t happen either only to bad drivers. Those who drive often for work, whether it’s to commute all day or for long-distance trips, often face time problems, leading them to drive slightly faster than they would if they were not constrained by time constraints and deadlines. Real estate agents, contractors, sellers, and more are common victims of speeding and seat belt tickets because they often travel from one obligation to another.
So, whether due to lack of vocational time, or just a careless driver, 10 moving violations in a 10-year period, with 1 being a serious violation (i.e. DUI, reckless driving, driving while suspended, etc.), will eventually suspend you from your driving privileges and mark you as an official Habitual Traffic Violator for at least 5 years.
Sounds harsh, right?
But it’s not so bad if you live in a state that allows records to be sealed and expunged. If you qualify to have your driving records sealed from the public, it can help you get your license back, the job you applied for, the promotion you’ve been working for, or obtain a professional license that was previously inaccessible.
Requirements vary from state to state, and not all states offer the option, but the most influential factors are time and severity of violations. Talk to an expungement attorney to see if you are eligible to have a record sealed in your state. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about habitual traffic offender driving records and personal privacy.
While you wait for eligibility
After being convicted as a habitual traffic offender, you must remain a habitual traffic offender for at least 5 years; however, he can apply for a probationary driver’s license after only 3 years. To qualify for a probationary license, one must have:
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You have never been issued a habitual traffic offender probationary license before;
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You have never been guilty of more than 3 unrelated major moving violations in a 10-year period;
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You have never been guilty of a major moving violation that resulted in the bodily harm or death of another person;
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I have never been guilty of violating the usual parole guidelines for traffic violators.
In some cases where the offender is a person who was driving a vehicle for business, such as a street vendor or delivery person, the waiting period may not apply, as your poor driving record may be partly due to their frequent trips. It is important to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure that he is receiving due justice in traffic court.