If you are stooped by a police officer and cited for a traffic violation, you sign a promise to appear in traffic court. When you go to court you may plead gulty or not guilty or you may forfeit (pay) bail. Paying bail is the same as a guilty plea.
If you ignore the ticket and don't appear in court a failure to appear (FTA)goes on your driving record. If you fail to pay (FTP) a fine, that will go on your record. One FTA or FTP can cause the DMV to suspend your license. Ending the suspension will cost a $55 reissue fee.
Each moving traffic violation goes on your record, as do convictios reported in other states.
Teenagers as a group average twice as many accidents as adults, while driving only half the miles - or 4 times the rate/mile. Speeding is the most common violation for teenage drivers. Speeding increases teh chance of an accident. Teenagers have 1 2.5 higher rate of having a fatal accident.
Vandalism (defacing property) will cause the court to to suspend, restrict, or delay for one year your driving privelege if under 18. Adults will also have their licenses suspended for one year for vandalism.
The court will suspend, restrict, delay or revoke your driving privelege for one year if you are a habitual truant from school.
The court will suspend or revoke the driving privilege of any minor convicted of possessing a concealable weapon or live ammunition or impose driver license sanctions of misdemeanors involving firearms.
The judge may offer Traffic Violaters School once in any 18 mo period to have a citation dismissed.
Each conviction stays on your record for at least 3 yrs and is accumulated in a point system.
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Example of one point violations:
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Example of two point violations:
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Refer an unsafe driver (your name will be kept confidential) to:
Dept Motor Vehicles Driver Safety Actions Unit M/S J234 Box 942890 Sacremento CA 94290-001The DMV will contact the person for rexexamination, including a driving test when a physician reports the person has lapses of consciousness, a traffic officer requests a DMV review believing the driver incapable of operating a vehicle safely, a relative make a good-faith report to DMV.
An Identification (ID) card can be issued to people of any age. If over 62 a free Senior Citizen card is available and is good for 10 yrs. Free ID cards are available for people who can no longer drive due to phyiscal or mental conditions.
Nonresidents who possess a valid diplomatic driver license issued by teh U.S. Dept of State are exempt for CA driver license requirements.
Yield right of way to vehicles when you cross where intersections or crosswalks are not marked, or jaywalk across a street between interesections. Making eye contact with a driver does not mean the driver sees you or will yield the right of way.
Pedestrians are permitted on a bridge only if there is a sidewalk and signs sating it is allowed.
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic. Do not walk or jog on the freeway. At night make youself more visible by wearing white or refelctive materials or carry a flashlight.