Reader’s Question:

While on vacation in Montana I received a speeding ticket and was told it would not appear on my LA California driving record since I paid it in full to the police officer citing me the offense. However it is on my driving record and I was wondering if it is possible for me to attend traffic school in Los Angeles and to have it removed?

John

Los Angeles, CA

Both California and Montana are members of the Drivers License Compact and this means that they share information with regards to traffic violations their licensed motorists receive out of state. Unfortunately, the MT police officer did not understand how information was exchanged in other states and that when he turned in the ticket information the Montana court system would forward the information to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles.

The CA Department of Motor Vehicle’s infraction point assessment listing, an out of state speeding ticket is a 1 point violation on your California driving record.

You need to have Los Angeles traffic school approved by the clerk of the court in California, or another judicial official in the country which your ticket was received. Since your citation did not go through a California court because of being from out of state, it would appear that you could not take a driving course to remove it from your Los Angeles CA driving record.

Reader’s Question:

If I have a vehicle that I do not drive, do I have to place insurance on it?

Jim

Los Angeles, CA

California has guidelines for inoperable vehicles. California law requires cars to have current registration if they are operated, stored, towed, parked on public roads or highways or parked in an off-street public parking facility at any time during the registration period.

If you have an inoperable cars in CA and it will not be in any of the places listed above, you can apply for non-operational status on the car and pay a planned non-operation (PNO) fee. Once this status is placed on a car’s record, it stays until you decide to operate the car and pay full registration renewal fees.

Reader’s Question:

Can you please explain to me what an uninsured motorist coverage is? I live in LA, California.

Andy

Los Angeles, CA

Uninsured motorist can be for either for property damage or bodily injury. Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) covers the insured, members of the household and the passengers for any injuries or death caused by an at-fault uninsured driver. A UMBI policy covers the medical bills of those injured up to the limits of the insurance policy.

The exact coverage and terms differ with the insurance policy and applicable state laws and regulations, but typically an uninsured motorist policy will reimburse you for medical expenses, lost wages, and damages such as pain and suffering.

The UM policy usually covers the motorist and passengers, also anyone operating the vehicle with permission. It may even cover such damages when the insurance policyholder is struck as a pedestrian by an uninsured driver.

Each state has different limitations and regulations to determine the UMPD limits. For instance in California if you don’t have Collision coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays up to $3,500 for repairs to the insured vehicle. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays your Collision deductible if you have Collision coverage.