A clean driving record comes with several benefits. You can often receive a cheaper insurance quote, a better financing package for a new motorcycle, and even enjoy some leniency if you get a citation.
Your ownership costs rise when you don’t have a clean driving record. Employers often check this information, meaning getting that dream job could be more challenging.
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Anyone can improve their driving record on a motorcycle by sticking to the rules for an extended time, but there are other ways you can see a faster boost.
If you’re looking for ways to improve or keep a clean driving record, these steps are the ones to follow.
Table of Content
1. Take a State-Approved Safety Course
Your DMV or approved third-party providers might offer a motorcycle safety course that can improve your driving record. These classes usually take a weekend to complete, but some court-mandated options could require two weeks or more of classroom and hands-on learning.
Some offenses, such as reckless driving or DUI, could trigger a mandatory requirement to attend these classes.
Once you’ve passed the course, some of your driving offenses could be removed to improve your driving record.
2. Remove the Old Information
It helps to review your driving record at least once per year to ensure the information on it is accurate. Contact your DMV or equivalent office to request this documentation.
Your insurance company typically looks at three to five years of data when evaluating the risk factors that set your monthly rates. You’ll need to know your carrier reviews to ensure you’re requesting the appropriate records.
If any of the information is inaccurate, you can request to have it removed.
3. Avoid Citations and Accidents
A clean driving record occurs when you don’t have any citations or accidents. That takes time to accomplish, especially if you’ve had a recent encounter or collision.
Citations and accidents reflect a higher insurance risk, which is why your insurance rates typically rise after they occur. If you have accident forgiveness or a similar policy feature, a previous incident might not affect your rates, even if the issue is on your driving record.
It can be as little as one year for items to come off your driving record, but Colorado keeps the incidents on there permanently. The encounter is still there even if you get pulled over in a different state.
4. Take an Insurance-Approved Safety Class
Insurance companies have several recognized motorcycle and driver safety courses you can take to lower your rates. GEICO offers a 10% discount for completing an approved defensive driving class.
Most classes in this category are one-day courses that only require a few hours of your time. The information shows you what to expect in different circumstances to ensure that you can recognize potential problems before they develop.
Safety classes won’t improve your driving record but can help your insurance rates.
Some courses are offered for free, while others have a minimal cost. If you pay $1,200 per year for motorcycle insurance and receive a 10% discount for a safety class, you’ll see a $120 reduction in what you owe.
5. Ride a Safer Motorcycle
The motorcycle you purchase can impact your insurance rates – and the attention you receive on the road. High-performance bikes tend to be considered riskier, which means you have more eyes on your behavior while on public roads.
The safest motorcycle models you can buy today include the Yamaha V Star 250, Suzuki V-Storm 650, and Honda CB 650-F.
A clean driving record can help you save each year on your motorcycle insurance. Include the options that make the most sense for your situation to ensure you can have fun adventures all year long.
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