Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI remain on your driving record and impact your auto insurance rates in Pearl City Hawaii? I got a DUI about 6 years ago and my insurance rates never went up. I’m now planning on moving and obtaining new insurance. Will I my new insurance be affected by that DUI from 6 years ago?

Rachel

Pearl City, Hawaii (HI)

The Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicle site does not list how long a DUI remains on your driving record but I suggest that you contact the Traffic Violations Bureau at (808) 538-5500 for driving history information. As for insurance carriers they can go back three, five or seven years usually to check your Motor Vehicle Record and rate your car insurance policy.

Some states may have limits on the length of years an insurance carrier can look back, so verify with the Department of Insurance for the state in which you are moving to to verify what their regulations are regarding this concern.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

What is the first thing to do after I get my first moving ticket in Pearl City Hawaii?

Marx

Pearl City, HI

After receiving a traffic ticket in Pearl City Hawaii you will need to follow the instructions on the citation that you receive, which might include contacting the traffic court. By contacting the court clerk you should be able to know what your options are with regards the traffic ticket. A driver typically determines if they want to pay the traffic ticket and admit guilt or contest the ticket and not admit guilt.

If you don’t admit guilt and the courts agree with that evaluation, then your auto insurance won’t be affected. If the court instead agrees that the police officer giving you the traffic ticket was in the right, you will have to pay the the fine, court fees, and have the violation put on your driving record which could affect your auto insurance rate.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, car insurance cost, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

What is the law for Hawaii no insurance and if it is your 1st or 2nd offense in Koolaupoko? Am I going to jail? My 3rd offense was an accident.

Uma

Koolaupoko, HI

Driving without insurance in Koolaupoko and in any part of Hawaii typically results in heavy fines such as $1000 for the first offence and up to $3000 for the 2nd offense. Other penalties may include imprisonment and suspension of your driver’s license. If the last violation was due to an accident the penalties are likely to be quite harsh.

As you know the mandatory amount of auto insurance on a vehicle in Hawaii is $20,000/$40,000 bodily injury liability and $10,000 for property damage liability plus PIP of $10,000. If you do not have this insurance on your car you are required to surrender the registration certificate and license plates and will not be able to drive the car.

To verify what penalties you are likely to get for your latest violation contact the number listed on your citation or even perhaps your local DMV.

Tags: auto insurance, car, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

Recently I was stopped by the police officer in Ewa, Hawaii for an expired registration. My car was towed and I was given a ticket. I would like to know how often is it that the police officers will tow your vehicle for an expired registration?

Jeff

Ewa, HI

There are some state laws that indeed permit for a police officer to tow away a car if they find it without valid registration. Hawaii, and other states such as Texas, Utah, and New Jersey are just a few of these states that permit for the impounding of a car with expired registration.

I am not sure on specific information about how often cars are towed for this offense in Ewa, HI. For your state’s statistics regarding the impounding of cars you could contact your DMV or perhaps Highway Patrol. In most state or local laws it might not be mandatory towing but instead up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer. If that is the case it might be determined by if the law enforcement officer has the time to oversee the impoundment of the car or is called to an incident elsewhere if a vehicle is towed for the offense.

Tags: automobile, traffic violation