The premise of this article is simple- I recommend that WA state drivers check their Department of Licensing (DOL) records periodically. There are all sorts of advertisements urging individuals to check their credit scores, however most people do not take the time to check their WA DOL records.
Why should you check your driving DOL record? From my experience, the records are generally accurate but they are not perfect. Errors on your DOL record not only affect your insurance rates, they can impact your job prospects and lead to embarrassing situations.
The clerks in our judicial system do a fantastic job, but because of factors including the sheer volume of speeding/ traffic tickets and lack of resources due to budgetary constraints, mistakes do happen. You can be impacted by inaction.
I have seen firsthand situations where tickets have been dismissed, yet appear on a WA DOL record. In one instance, the person impacted saw their insurance premium go up approx. $500 for a six month term just for one speeding ticket. He discovered the error when his insurance spiked when it was up for renewal.
I was able to help this motorist, by asking the court to submit a records correction to the WA State Department of Licensing, but my point is that the extra time and effort explaining the situation to insurance companies, reporting agencies, and employers could have been avoided if the WA state driver took a few minutes to check his record online.
Here is the link to request your WA DOL record. There is a nominal cost, but in my opinion it is worth it. http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/requestyourrecord.html
If you received a ticket that you are determined to fight, give me a call for a free consultation or visit my site www.seattletrafficandspeedingtickets.us. I will work hard to help you.
As an experienced traffic ticket attorney, my client’s metro Seattle traffic tickets often are dismissed. If your traffic ticket is not dismissed, the Law Offices of Dan Samas can often arrange for a reduction to a non-moving violation so the ticket will not increase your insurance rates.
Dan Samas has been an attorney since 1995 and has represented thousands of motorists in traffic ticket cases. He has helped Metro Seattle drivers avoid auto insurance premium increases, missed work, and travel expenses since they don’t have to go to court themselves
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