You must keep your driving record as clean as possible. Your driving record serves as proof of your driving. It contains a compilation of past and ongoing motoring conduct, including violations, accidents, and other roadside occurrences. While this may be embarrassing to some, car insurance companies take it very seriously.
Car insurance companies generally raise a person’s premiums if they have a history of negligence and bad decision-making. This is because past experiences would indicate that the motorist is more likely to submit an insurance claim. Drivers who have a clean driving record pay lower premiums. Those records, like at-fault accidents or DUIs/DWIs, pay higher premiums, the extent of which varies by state.
So, if you’ve recently gotten a parking ticket, how will it affect your driving record? Not at all! While the penalties for different parking offenses vary by state and municipality, they are always non-moving violations. As a result, a parking penalty doesn’t appear on your driving record because it does not reflect badly on your driving habits.
Do Parking Fines Affect Car Insurance Premiums?
Parking fines have no effect on your auto insurance prices on their own. Auto insurance companies won’t know about your ticket because it doesn’t show up on your driving record. You don’t need to worry about higher insurance rates as long as you pay the fine by the deadline.
However, if you fail to pay a parking ticket on time, it may cause complications with your insurance company. The consequences might escalate in severity depending on the severity of the fine and how long you go without paying it. Penalties can include an increase in the fee, your vehicle being towed by the municipality, or even your driver’s license being suspended.
In addition, failing to pay a parking citation can negatively influence your credit score, which insurance companies are quite concerned about. A low credit score can indicate to insurance providers that you have a history of mismanaging your money and not paying your bills on time.
Consequences of Having a Parking Ticket on Your Record
While a parking ticket won’t appear on your driving record, it does not mean that receiving one is unimportant. Here are a few examples of how a parking ticket can cause you grief:
Fines: When it comes to parking violations, the fees are the most important consideration. The amount they cost is determined by rules established at the local, county, and state levels. These fines will eventually have a due date. Failing to pay on time will certainly result in a bigger fine.
Negative effect on the credit score: Not paying a parking ticket on time can hurt your credit score.
Suspension of your driver’s license: This is the most important one. If you wait long enough and don’t pay your fines, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may suspend your license entirely. Driving with a suspended license is risky, as you could be pulled over by the police and issued a ticket.
What to Remember About Parking Tickets on Your Record
So, while parking fines may not have a direct impact on your driving record, if you don’t deal with them sooner rather than later, you risk losing access to your car or driver’s license, as well as harming your credit score. State and local administrations have long memories and little tolerance for misbehaving citizens. Even if parking citations do not appear on your driving record, the phrase “the long arm of the law” can undoubtedly apply to them.
Sara Sam may not look like your typical car and finance expert, but don’t let that fool you. With over four years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins and outs of cars, car insurance, and refinancing. You can trust Sara to help you navigate the often-confusing world of automobiles and financing.
