Reader’s Question:

I received a OUIL almost 4 years ago in Michigan, I now live in Fort Worth, Texas and have had no traffic violations nor accidents since. Should I tell my conviction when applying for auto insurance?

Bill

Fort Worth, TX

OUIL means “operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor” and now has been renamed as OWI meaning “operating while intoxicated”.

Now that you are living in Fort Worth an insurance provider can still access your MI driving record so you will need to mention this old conviction if they asked for violations dating this far back on your auto insurance application. If you do not tell them and the insurance carrier finds out about this OUIL conviction then your quote would be incorrect and would need to be reevaluated including this offense. If you have already received your insurance policy and this infraction is later found out about by your insurance company then it could be said that you misrepresented your driving history which may be considered fraud in most states.

Reader’s Question:

How many points does it have to be on your driving record before they suspend your drivers license? I live in fort Worth Texas.

Sam

Fort Worth, TX

Your license will be suspended in Texas if you have what they term “habitual traffic violator”. The meaning of this is an individual who receives four or more traffic violations in a period of 12 months or has 7 or more moving violations in a period of months. If you receive and are convicted of this many infractions you are subject to have your license suspended according to the transportation code 521.292.

You can verify with TX department of public safety to check if there is also a point limit or just the number of violation convictions as listed above.

Reader’s Question:

I received a speeding ticket in IL and I am wondering if this will this affect my insurance rates in Fort Worth, Texas?

Jim

Fort Worth, TX

Your home state of Texas and Illinois are both members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) so if you plead guilty and were convicted of the speeding infraction then the TX Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be notified.

The Texas Department of Public Safety states that they will place out of state violation onto your TX driving record. The Texas points system lists that it is two points for a moving infraction conviction in Texas or that in another state. However, points are not assigned for speeding less than 10% over the posted limit or for seat belt infractions.

Since the Illinois speeding violation will be placed on your Fort Worth TX driving record your insurance carrier will see it the next time they pull your MVR. To verify if this Illinois speeding ticket will affect your rates in Fort Worth Texas you would need to find out about your specific insurance carrier’s rating system. You can find out about a rating system usually by asking your agent or the TX TDI since the insurance company’s rates are filed with this state agency.