Moving violations relate to when a motorcycle is moving under the control of the rider’s decisions. Choosing to drive 89 in a 55 would be an example of this issue.
A non-moving violation occurs when the issue is detectable without the motorcycle moving.
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How a non-moving violation impacts your motorcycle insurance depends on several circumstances. Here’s a closer look at what to expect if you face this issue.
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What Is a Non-Moving Violation?
A non-moving violation involves incidents when a traffic infraction occurs without operating the motorcycle. These tickets usually have smaller fines than speeding and other moving points and don’t cause demerits to appear on your driving record.
A non-moving violation can involve issues that are seen while you’re operating a motorcycle. If your headlight is out or the taillight is broken, these issues fall into this category.
Here are some other non-moving violations that motorcyclists encounter while going about their daily routine.
- Parking Tickets. This issue might include parking in no-parking areas, placing your bike next to a fire hydrant, or failing to put money into a meter.
- Safety Violations. Non-moving violations in this category involve missing license plates, excessive noise, or handlebars set too high.
- Expired Registration. Renew your tags yearly to avoid this non-moving violation.
Most incidents are easily resolvable by rectifying the situation. If a fine is issued, pay it promptly to avoid going to court.
Judges will sometimes dismiss non-moving violations if they are minor, although paying court costs is often required. Anyone who feels they were wrongly ticketed can seek legal counsel or fight the charge through self-representation.
Do Non-Moving Violations Affect Insurance?
Although any violation can affect your insurance rate, most companies don’t consider non-moving violations when providing a quote.
Since this issue can vary by each insurer and state, you’ll want to verify how parking tickets and similar incidents could impact your rates.
If you fail to pay a non-moving violation, you might see more than a problem with your rates increasing. Many states will only renew your motorcycle registration once you’ve caught up on your fines and court costs.
You could be cited for illegal driving if you drive without an active registration. That incident would be a moving violation that could significantly increase your monthly premiums.
Do Non-Moving Violations Go on Your Record?
Many states use a points system as a safety system to monitor drivers. Different violations and infractions are assigned points that get deducted from your license, and things like parking tickets could be included in those circumstances.
Washington State does not use a points system, but a non-moving violation would still appear on your driving record.
If something goes on your record, the insurance company will see it when requesting a quote or receiving a new policy.
How Long Do Tickets Stay on Your Record?
Most states keep tickets on your driving record for 24 to 36 months. While Virginia keeps minor violations on for two years, California, Montana, and Ohio maintain those records for three years.
In Montana, a person’s driving record is permanent, though the points assigned by infractions eventually expire.
If you get a ticket in another state, it will likely be reported to where you live. Even if it doesn’t appear on your driving record, it is still your responsibility to pay whatever fine is assigned to the violation unless you contest the incident in court.
Some moving violations stay on your record much longer or could be permanent. In Virginia, a DUI conviction remains for 11 years. For Washington motorcyclists, an alcohol-related incident stays on the driving record indefinitely.
Do You Have to Report Speeding Tickets to Insurance Companies?
You must declare speeding tickets when you purchase a new motorcycle insurance policy.
This violation only affects an ongoing policy once it is time to renew. Unless you have provisions in your coverage that forgive the speeding ticket, your premiums will rise.
Motorcyclists with only one speeding ticket on their record can pay $45 or more per month for their insurance coverage.
There is no way to hide speeding tickets or non-moving violations in states where points are issued for violations. These incidents will be reflected in your next policy update.
You can shop around for better rates if you face a premium increase due to moving or non-moving violations. Each insurer places a different emphasis on these issues, so the savings you find could be extensive.
If you receive a non-moving violation, the best outcome is to take care of the fine as quickly as possible. You can contest the issue, but the judge’s ruling is often final. That way, you can keep the long-term consequences to a minimum.
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