Calling everyone from Connecticut!

[DannyDeez]

Hey guys so I just moved up to CT. I grew up in NY all my life. Im very familiar with the laws, rules and regulations there. I need to get caught up to speed on how stuff works in CT asap. Ive been hearing mixed answers on how DMV handles things when you get tickets.

In NY you're allowed 10 points on your license. Once you go over that, you get suspended. Points are given based on the infraction. For example, passing a stopped school bus is like 5 points, running a red light is 3 points, points for speeding depend on how much over the limit you go (1-10mph over is 3 points, 11-20mph over is 4 points, etc).

So basically, what happens when you get a ticket here?
Do they have a point system where 'x' amount of points leads to a license suspension?
Are there certain rules like 3 speeding tickets in 1 year equals a suspension?
Do they revoke your license for certain infractions?

Theres so much more id like to know so feel free to chime in with any input, experience, tips, tricks, whatever.

Thanks

[a4kamila6]

They have a lot of cameras on their highways, almost impossible to get away with speeding. They have good guns laws though. And they probably do have a points system. Best way to check is go on their DMV website.


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[Project Quattro]

I wouldn't swear to it but IIRC if you get a ticket for something "normal" like speeding and you pay it without contesting, you don't get points.

Cops have a huge amount of discretion as to how much they can fine you for a given infraction... for speeding it can be anywhere from like $150 to upwards of $300.

Speeding over 85 MPH anywhere, or going 50% or more over the speed limit (whichever is the lower number) is reckless driving and the cop can take you away in handcuffs and impound your car if he sees fit.

They do have a points system and driver retraining if you get too many of them, I don't know exactly how it works though.

If you challenge a ticket you go to a courthouse and meet with an overworked prosecutor. You tell them your side and if they think its plausible they may throw out the ticket or, more likely, offer you a deal like a non-moving violation to reduce the fine and prevent you from accruing points. Or they'll let you make a moderate "charitable contribution" to have the infraction removed from your record.

More FAQs which seem accurate based on me living here my entire life:

http://www.dmv.org/ct-connecticut/tr...ticket-faq.php

Here's how the points break down:

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/regulations/137a.pdf

[ET550]

[QUOTE=Project Quattro;11250008]I wouldn't swear to it but IIRC if you get a ticket for something "normal" like speeding and you pay it without contesting, you don't get points. QUOTE]

While that is technically true, it doesn't mean much since they still reserve the right to suspend your license or take other action against you if you get three moving violations within 3 years.

[DannyDeez]

They have a lot of cameras on their highways, almost impossible to get away with speeding. They have good guns laws though. And they probably do have a points system. Best way to check is go on their DMV website.


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Thanks!

I wouldn't swear to it but IIRC if you get a ticket for something "normal" like speeding and you pay it without contesting, you don't get points.

Cops have a huge amount of discretion as to how much they can fine you for a given infraction... for speeding it can be anywhere from like $150 to upwards of $300.

Speeding over 85 MPH anywhere, or going 50% or more over the speed limit (whichever is the lower number) is reckless driving and the cop can take you away in handcuffs and impound your car if he sees fit.

They do have a points system and driver retraining if you get too many of them, I don't know exactly how it works though.

If you challenge a ticket you go to a courthouse and meet with an overworked prosecutor. You tell them your side and if they think its plausible they may throw out the ticket or, more likely, offer you a deal like a non-moving violation to reduce the fine and prevent you from accruing points. Or they'll let you make a moderate "charitable contribution" to have the infraction removed from your record.

More FAQs which seem accurate based on me living here my entire life:

http://www.dmv.org/ct-connecticut/tr...ticket-faq.php

Here's how the points break down:

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/regulations/137a.pdf

Dude you are awesome! This is exactly what I was looking for that I couldnt find. Thank you!

I wouldn't swear to it but IIRC if you get a ticket for something "normal" like speeding and you pay it without contesting, you don't get points.

While that is technically true, it doesn't mean much since they still reserve the right to suspend your license or take other action against you if you get three moving violations within 3 years.

Good to know Thanks!


There has to be more people here who drive a little crazy.. Feel free to chime in with any more info please

[doug97gxe]

CT has a point system, however if you pay your tickets on time you will not get any points. However if you go to court and fight it and you lose you will have points on your license.

2 or more moving violations will result in you having to take an 8 hr driving retraining class.. its actually pretty fun and the time goes by really fast .. everyone pretty much embellishes their story of how they ended up in the class.. one guy told us he was doing 180 in a civic for miles being chased by the troopers... right.. failure to take the driver retraining course will result in suspension of license

[chris@fifteen52]

There are lots of good roads to stretch your legs on. I had FL plates for years and that did not help. Having a CT plate did.

[booost]

CT has a point system, however if you pay your tickets on time you will not get any points. However if you go to court and fight it and you lose you will have points on your license.

2 or more moving violations will result in you having to take an 8 hr driving retraining class.. its actually pretty fun and the time goes by really fast .. everyone pretty much embellishes their story of how they ended up in the class.. one guy told us he was doing 180 in a civic for miles being chased by the troopers... right.. failure to take the driver retraining course will result in suspension of license

I never had to go to driver retraining but have friends that did, said all the people there just get in their cars and drive away with suspended licenses after the class lol.

[doug97gxe]

I never had to go to driver retraining but have friends that did, said all the people there just get in their cars and drive away with suspended licenses after the class lol.

yup pretty much.. they never check.. i've been to 5

[DannyDeez]

CT has a point system, however if you pay your tickets on time you will not get any points. However if you go to court and fight it and you lose you will have points on your license.

2 or more moving violations will result in you having to take an 8 hr driving retraining class.. its actually pretty fun and the time goes by really fast .. everyone pretty much embellishes their story of how they ended up in the class.. one guy told us he was doing 180 in a civic for miles being chased by the troopers... right.. failure to take the driver retraining course will result in suspension of license

Haha thanks! So basically if I get a ticket, just pay the fine? Why would anyone bother going to court to fight a ticket then? In NY we go to court to fight tickets so we can get a reduction in points.

So what happens if you take the driver retraining course, and then get more tickets? Do they suspend your license then? Or do they just make you take the course again?

[doug97gxe]

Haha thanks! So basically if I get a ticket, just pay the fine? Why would anyone bother going to court to fight a ticket then? In NY we go to court to fight tickets so we can get a reduction in points.

So what happens if you take the driver retraining course, and then get more tickets? Do they suspend your license then? Or do they just make you take the course again?

Lots of people fight because they can't afford the ticket or feel they can get it reduced

You just keep taking the course .. CT ticketing is a money making machine .. They make money they don't care


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[DannyDeez]

Lots of people fight because they can't afford the ticket or feel they can get it reduced

You just keep taking the course .. CT ticketing is a money making machine .. They make money they don't care


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Haha thats awesome. I can blow money, but I need my license to stay clean for work.

[martin0079]

They have a lot of cameras on their highways, almost impossible to get away with speeding. They have good guns laws though. And they probably do have a points system. Best way to check is go on their DMV website.


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What the fuck? Our gun laws blow and none of the cameras on the highways are for speeding.

CT has a point system, however if you pay your tickets on time you will not get any points. However if you go to court and fight it and you lose you will have points on your license.

2 or more moving violations will result in you having to take an 8 hr driving retraining class.. its actually pretty fun and the time goes by really fast .. everyone pretty much embellishes their story of how they ended up in the class.. one guy told us he was doing 180 in a civic for miles being chased by the troopers... right.. failure to take the driver retraining course will result in suspension of license

That is if you are under 25 years old. Over 25 it is 3 moving violations to go to retraining and now once you go to retraining you are on probation for 36 months if you get a ticket it is a 30 day suspension and another trip to retraining a second 60 day and retraining and third 90 days and retraining and all subsequent are 90 days and retraining. I just took my 6th trip to retraining over the summer. My previous 4 trips were before they changed the rules to the subsequent suspension and one was to lesson the blow of a reckless driving ticket.

[doug97gxe]

What the fuck? Our gun laws blow and none of the cameras on the highways are for speeding.



That is if you are under 25 years old. Over 25 it is 3 moving violations to go to retraining and now once you go to retraining you are on probation for 36 months if you get a ticket it is a 30 day suspension and another trip to retraining a second 60 day and retraining and third 90 days and retraining and all subsequent are 90 days and retraining. I just took my 6th trip to retraining over the summer. My previous 4 trips were before they changed the rules to the subsequent suspension and one was to lesson the blow of a reckless driving ticket.

Oh ok my last retraining class was about 14 years ago


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[DannyDeez]

What the fuck? Our gun laws blow and none of the cameras on the highways are for speeding.



That is if you are under 25 years old. Over 25 it is 3 moving violations to go to retraining and now once you go to retraining you are on probation for 36 months if you get a ticket it is a 30 day suspension and another trip to retraining a second 60 day and retraining and third 90 days and retraining and all subsequent are 90 days and retraining. I just took my 6th trip to retraining over the summer. My previous 4 trips were before they changed the rules to the subsequent suspension and one was to lesson the blow of a reckless driving ticket.

Hey whats up bud! Thanks for the info! Im over 25 so I fall into that category. Damn man you get a lot of tickets huh? lol

[a4kamila6]

What the fuck? Our gun laws blow and none of the cameras on the highways are for speeding.



That is if you are under 25 years old. Over 25 it is 3 moving violations to go to retraining and now once you go to retraining you are on probation for 36 months if you get a ticket it is a 30 day suspension and another trip to retraining a second 60 day and retraining and third 90 days and retraining and all subsequent are 90 days and retraining. I just took my 6th trip to retraining over the summer. My previous 4 trips were before they changed the rules to the subsequent suspension and one was to lesson the blow of a reckless driving ticket.

Dude compared to NYC where I live, connecticut has great gun laws. Maybe not in hartford or any of the big cities, but that is expected. If you go upstate NY, same thing. And its funny you say non of the cameras are for speeding. The camera may not take a picture of your plate and send you a ticket, but if they see you doing 100 on the highway best believe the next available, closest trooper will intercept you and wait for you to fly by him. Ive been in this situation at least 3 times with my buddies in connecticut while they were driving. Cop straight up told us they saw us on camera flying down the highway and dispatched a unit.

Maybe I should have made that clearer.


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[grovlet]

The last time I went to court to fight it - they wouldn't let it go - I had two choices:
#1 - pay the fine - and admit guilt (yeah sure I spent all this time for nothing)
#2 - Pay the fine amount + $50 extra to the "Police Charity" = no ticket no thing - just a charitable donation and off I go ticket dismissed....

From what I hear that's the same that most folks face these days face when fighting tickets - unless you're in court very 2 months - you plead with the "Prosecutor" and they offer up this type of deal....

Since I haven't been back since - I don't know if they actually track you appearance count - but there is definitely no ticket or admission of guilt on your record - so no way they could use the multiple infractions to send you to "Driver Retraining" - just costs you extra cash - so it's pay to play unless you are guilty of some major infraction vs. the typical offenses like speeding.

And in my youth I took retraining 5x - so yeah CT is kind of lax on taking your license.....

[Powderhound]

Lost my license years ago in NY for racking up too many points speeding and an "unauthorized speed contest" according to the ticket. That was 1980 and I'm sure a lot has changed since then. Did have to take the classes though. In the years since, and having moved to CT, I haven't ever accumulated enough infractions in the same state over a short enough period of time to actually lose my license again. I'm pretty sure the points accrue in each state independent of each other and also drop off after a period of time. Anyone know how long the points stay on from date of infraction?

[Powderhound]

Just read the links form Project Quattros post. Looks like points in CT drop off after 24 months. Thanks for info.

[DannyDeez]

The last time I went to court to fight it - they wouldn't let it go - I had two choices:
#1 - pay the fine - and admit guilt (yeah sure I spent all this time for nothing)
#2 - Pay the fine amount + $50 extra to the "Police Charity" = no ticket no thing - just a charitable donation and off I go ticket dismissed....

From what I hear that's the same that most folks face these days face when fighting tickets - unless you're in court very 2 months - you plead with the "Prosecutor" and they offer up this type of deal....

Since I haven't been back since - I don't know if they actually track you appearance count - but there is definitely no ticket or admission of guilt on your record - so no way they could use the multiple infractions to send you to "Driver Retraining" - just costs you extra cash - so it's pay to play unless you are guilty of some major infraction vs. the typical offenses like speeding.

And in my youth I took retraining 5x - so yeah CT is kind of lax on taking your license.....

Lost my license years ago in NY for racking up too many points speeding and an "unauthorized speed contest" according to the ticket. That was 1980 and I'm sure a lot has changed since then. Did have to take the classes though. In the years since, and having moved to CT, I haven't ever accumulated enough infractions in the same state over a short enough period of time to actually lose my license again. I'm pretty sure the points accrue in each state independent of each other and also drop off after a period of time. Anyone know how long the points stay on from date of infraction?

Thanks for the input guys!!