What Is a Clean Driving Record?
A clean driving record means you have no recent moving violations or incidents on the road.
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Written byJess Ullrich
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10+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Former associate finance editor for Investopedia
Jess is a subject matter expert in insurance, banking, and other personal finance topics. Her byline has appeared in numerous top web media, including Investopedia.
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Edited bySarah Archambault
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Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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Reviewed byDonald Blume
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Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance agent
Experience at AAA and Acceptance Insurance
Donald has 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry. He’s contributed to companies such as Nieman Insurance Group, Answer Financial, and RPR Insurance.
Updated November 19, 2024
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Table of contents
Past violations on your driving record could mean higher insurance rates and fewer job prospects if an employer runs a motor vehicle record check during the hiring process. If you rack up enough violations, your license might be suspended. By contrast, a clean driving record could mean lower insurance premiums and more employment opportunities.[1]
It often takes three years for infractions to drop off your driving record, but it depends on the incident and your state’s laws. Learn about which violations go on your record, how they affect your car insurance rates, and the best insurance companies for drivers with a clean record.
Quick Facts
Many types of violations appear on your driving record, like speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs.
Some violations have a bigger effect on your insurance costs than others.
Nationwide, Erie, and Auto-Owners are Insurify’s top picks for drivers with a clean record.
What types of violations go on a driving record?
Several types of violations go on your driving record, and each may affect your insurance rates in a different way. Many states also operate on a points system, and you receive points on your license if you commit an infraction on the road. If you get too many points, your license could be suspended.[2]
Here are some examples of incidents that might appear on your record:
Minor moving violations: These types of violations include things like speeding tickets for driving slightly over the speed limit, running a red light, and rolling through a stop sign.
Mechanical violations: You can get ticketed for things like broken taillights, headlights, or brake lights; cracked windshields or mirrors; and problems with your license plates.
Major moving violations: Serious violations include DUI/DWI, reckless driving convictions, and accidents that cause injury or death. These incidents generally stay on your driving record for longer and may have a bigger effect on your insurance rates.
How your driving record affects car insurance rates
Your driving record can either reduce or increase your insurance rates. If you have a clean driving record, your insurer will typically reward you with lower insurance premiums. But if you have incidents on your record, you might see your rates increase. In this case, raising your car insurance deductible or researching available discounts might help lower your insurance costs.
Drivers with a clean record pay an average of $204 per month for full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify data, but drivers with major violations pay much higher rates — $263 per month, on average.
Average Monthly Quote by Driving Record
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Best car insurance for a clean driving record
The following insurance companies are Insurify’s top picks for people with a clean driving history.
Erie: Best for customer satisfaction
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $50/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $93/mo |
4.1
Best choiceBased on 240 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
Reviews (126)
Lana
November 10, 2024
Verified Review
Erie Insurance
The policy is difficult to understand. The rates are too high.
George
November 6, 2024
Verified Review
Good People
They handled my claim quickly.
Judie
November 4, 2024
Verified Review
Great Coverage
The coverage is excellent, but I am looking for a cheaper rate.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.49A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Erie Insurance has received consistently high marks for customer satisfaction, particularly in the North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. It was the top-ranked insurance company in those regions on J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, and it also ranked in the top spot in prior years.
Pros
Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
Low rates
High financial stability ratings
Cons
Available in only 12 states
No online claims filing
Mixed customer reviews online
Nationwide: Best for low-mileage drivers
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $83/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $182/mo |
4.4
Best choiceBased on 782 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Nationwide
Drivers appreciate the excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
How drivers feel about Nationwide
Drivers appreciate the excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Reviews (441)
Richard
November 7, 2024
Verified Review
Excellent Company
Nationwide appears to be an excellent company. I have recommended this company to several of my friends. My daughter and her husband have also taken out policies and are very satisfied with this company. Thank you.
Irene
November 4, 2024
Verified Review
Sorry to be leaving you, Nationwide.
I used Nationwide for 32 years. I understand that insurance prices are going up, however, due to my limited income, I can no longer afford to stay with Nationwide.
Sara
November 1, 2024
Verified Review
Very Good!
The customer service is very good. They explain things well and make it easy to understand.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.64A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
If your driving record is squeaky clean and you don’t drive often, a usage-based insurance program like Nationwide’s SmartRide could help you earn big savings. This program offers generous discounts of up to 40% for safe driving habits, including a low number of miles driven. It could be a big money-saver for drivers who don’t venture far from home.
Pros
Highly rated among usage-based insurance programs
Several discounts available
High financial stability ratings
Cons
Fairly high rates for standard car insurance policies
Mixed customer reviews online
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings in some regions and states
Auto-Owners: Best for low rates
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $34/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $73/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 141 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
Reviews (89)
Debra
November 3, 2024
Verified Review
Excellent
They keep raising prices.
Scotty
November 2, 2024
Verified Review
They are a bunch of crooks. My policy has increased every single time, and I've only had one small claim.
They are a bunch of crooks. My policy has increased every single time, and I've only had one small claim.
Dana
October 31, 2024
Verified Review
Average
Ask many questions to cover all aspects of the policy.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.5A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
Cost-conscious drivers with clean records may want to get an auto insurance quote from Auto-Owners. This company offers the lowest average car insurance rates of every insurer we researched.
Pros
High customer satisfaction ratings
Very low rates
High financial stability ratings
Cons
Mixed reviews online
Available in only 30 states
Fewer discounts than some competitors
When choosing the best car insurance companies for drivers with a clean record, we compared factors like costs, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability. The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.
6 tips for maintaining a clean driving record
If you want to keep your insurance rates low, here are the best ways to maintain a clean driving record.
1. Drive safely
The best and easiest way to maintain a clean driving record is to be a safe driver. Adhere to posted speed limits, stop at stop signs and red lights, and follow the rules of the road. Avoid multitasking while you’re driving. For example, don’t text, eat, or search for things in your glove compartment.
2. Take a defensive driving course
Defensive driving courses can help you brush up on your state’s traffic laws, identify potential risks on the road, stay safe behind the wheel, and even qualify you for insurance discounts, if available. Completing a driving safety course can protect you, your passengers, and other drivers.
3. Contest inaccuracies on your driving record
It’s smart to occasionally review your driving record for inaccuracies. Mistakes on your record could increase your insurance rates or make you seem like a higher risk on the road than you actually are. Fortunately, you can contest these inaccuracies with your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) or bureau of motor vehicles (BMV).
4. Contest certain tickets
If you receive a questionable ticket, you have the right to contest it. But you’ll likely need to appear in court, and fees or penalties might apply if a judge deems the ticket is valid. Still, contesting a ticket may help reduce the charge to a lesser violation.[3]
5. Fix mechanical issues
Proactively fixing mechanical issues can help you avoid getting a ticket in the first place. But if you don’t notice a mechanical issue, such as a brake light that needs replacing, and you receive a ticket, work on resolving that issue quickly. The DMV or BMV might be willing to remove the citation from your record once the mechanical problem is fixed.
6. Wait until violations drop off your record
If a legitimate offense is on your driving record, you might not have much recourse. Instead, you may need to wait until it drops off your record. This often happens within three years, but the actual time frame can depend on your state laws and the offense you’ve committed.
Find Cheap Car Insurance
Liability rates average $104 per month for drivers with a clean record
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
How to check your driving record
You can get a copy of your driving record fairly easily if you’re curious about what’s on it. While the process to check your driving record varies from state to state, you’ll typically do the following:
Head to the DMV or BMV. Visit your state’s DMV or BMV in person or go online. You may also be able to request a copy of your driving record by mail.
Complete the request form. Most states require you to fill out a form to release your motor vehicle records. Be prepared to provide your driver’s license number and other personal information.
Pay a fee. Record costs vary by state and the type of record you order. For instance, a three-year standard driving record may cost less than a three-year certified record.
Clean driving record FAQs
If you’re still wondering about clean driving records, check out the additional information below.
What does it mean when a job asks for a clean driving record?
Employers often check driving records for roles required to operate a vehicle or machinery. They’re usually looking for someone with no history of at-fault car accidents, moving violations, or DUI/DWI convictions. These incidents could be a sign that a prospective employee is a high-risk driver.
How long does it take to clean your driving record in California?
The time it takes to clean your driving record in California depends on the driving infraction you’ve committed. For instance, a motor vehicle accident could stay on your record for three years, while a DUI charge could stay on your record for 10 years if you fail to appear in court or pay your fines.[4]
How do you remove violations from your driving record in Florida?
You generally can’t get traffic violations expunged from your driving record in Florida. But if you receive a traffic citation, you could contest it in court or take a driver improvement course to reduce its effect on your driving record and insurance rates.[5]
Can a company actually clean your driving record?
No, companies can’t clean your driving record. Offenses you’ve committed will generally remain on your record for as long as your state laws require. After that time, the incident may fall off your record automatically or you can request a manual expungement if it doesn’t. Report any inaccuracies to your DMV or BMV.
Do you need to report an accident to your auto insurance company?
Yes, you’re typically required to report an accident to your auto insurance company — even if you aren’t planning on filing a claim. Failing to report an accident may be a violation of your car insurance contract, and your car insurance company could cancel your coverage.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Nolo. "Traffic Fines, License Suspensions, and Traffic School."
- Nolo. "Traffic Ticket? Decide Whether to Fight in Traffic Court or Pay Up."
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Retention of Driver Record Information."
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "Traffic Citations."
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Jess UllrichInsurance Writer
Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Edited bySarah Archambault
Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
Featured in
Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance agent
Experience at AAA and Acceptance Insurance
Donald has 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry. He’s contributed to companies such as Nieman Insurance Group, Answer Financial, and RPR Insurance.
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