The more things change, the more they stay the same. If you're moving away from Florida or Louisiana or any other state to the land of steak and football and big sunsets, then you're going to find that while some of those marks on your driving record aren't such a big deal anymore, others will carry over to your Texas driving record, and vice versa. Here we'll look at some of the violations that will stay on your driving record regardless of whether or not you move across state lines:
Speeding Tickets
If you were caught speeding, it's going to transfer from state to state. In Texas, points and violations like speeding tickets alike will stay on your record for three years.
Red Light Tickets
Red light tickets transfer from state to state whether you were ticketed in California, Texas or Alaska. If you were allegedly caught running a red light by a camera, then it may be possible to fight the ticket if the camera was out of date or its view of your license plate somehow obscured.
DUI
All states consider out-of-state DUI convictions, but different states treat them differently. In some states, a DUI is treated as a single, isolated offense if it took place in another state. In Texas, it can contribute to a record of habitual DUI, so even if you only have one point on your record, a single new conviction can put you in hot water.
The good news is that the points and violations expire from your record based on the statue of limitations where you were dealt them, so if you had some points slapped onto your license in Colorado, you only need to wait two years for them to go away, even if you currently live in a three-year state like Texas. All the same, points on your license are a real pain, and most serious transgressions of traffic law will stay on your Texas driving record as well as your California, Colorado, Florida, Alaska, and every other driving record.
In Texas, if you were ticketed for something that would have your license revoked or suspended, even if it happened out of state, you may have your license revoked or suspended when you return to the Lone Star State, so that Texas defensive driving class is going to come in handy even when you're on vacation.
- Curious about red light ticket fines in New York? Explore our guide on 'How much is a Red Light Ticket in New York?' to understand typical penalties and related information.
- Curious about the fines for speeding tickets in Virginia? Learn more about the costs and regulations in our comprehensive guide on How much is a Speeding Ticket in Virginia?