LTO Traffic Violations and Penalties 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a traffic school or defensive driving course when offered as a penalty option?
- To increase insurance rates
- To dismiss a ticket or reduce points on a driver's license (Correct answer)
- To permanently revoke driving privileges
- To test for vehicle safety compliance
Correct answer: To dismiss a ticket or reduce points on a driver's license
Traffic school can often result in ticket dismissal or point reduction on a driver's license as an alternative penalty.
Question 2: What is the typical BAC limit for commercial vehicle (CDL) drivers?
- 0.08%
- 0.04% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
- 0.06%
Correct answer: 0.04%
Commercial drivers are held to a stricter BAC limit of 0.04%, half the standard limit for regular drivers.
Question 3: What is 'driving while suspended' (DWS)?
- Driving with a broken suspension system
- Operating a vehicle after your license has been suspended by the state (Correct answer)
- Driving with a vehicle recall notice
- Driving on a temporarily closed road
Correct answer: Operating a vehicle after your license has been suspended by the state
DWS means operating a vehicle after the state has officially suspended your driving privileges.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'street racing' as a traffic violation?
- A minor infraction with a small fine
- A serious offense that can result in felony charges, vehicle impoundment, and license revocation (Correct answer)
- An administrative violation only
- A violation that only applies to race car drivers
Correct answer: A serious offense that can result in felony charges, vehicle impoundment, and license revocation
Street racing is treated as a serious offense that can lead to felony charges, vehicle impoundment, and loss of driving privileges.
Question 5: What happens to traffic violation points on a driver's record over time?
- Points are permanent and never removed
- Points may be reduced or removed after a set period, often 1–3 years (Correct answer)
- Points double every year
- Points are only removed if the driver takes a court-mandated class
Correct answer: Points may be reduced or removed after a set period, often 1–3 years
Most states allow points to expire or be reduced after a period of safe driving, typically 1 to 3 years.
Question 6: A driver is caught without proof of insurance during a traffic stop. What is the typical outcome?
- No penalty if the vehicle is actually insured
- Fine, possible license suspension, and vehicle impoundment (Correct answer)
- A verbal warning only
- Mandatory vehicle inspection
Correct answer: Fine, possible license suspension, and vehicle impoundment
Failure to carry proof of insurance typically results in fines, possible license suspension, and sometimes vehicle impoundment.
Question 7: What is an 'administrative per se' law regarding DUI?
- A law requiring administrative approval before any DUI arrest
- A law that allows license suspension solely based on a BAC at or above the legal limit, regardless of criminal proceedings (Correct answer)
- A law that mandates administrative hearings before fines are issued
- A law requiring DUI offenders to perform public service
Correct answer: A law that allows license suspension solely based on a BAC at or above the legal limit, regardless of criminal proceedings
Administrative per se laws allow the state to suspend a driver's license based on BAC alone, separate from and before any criminal DUI conviction.
LTO Traffic Violations and Penalties 5
What is the purpose of a traffic school or defensive driving course when offered as a penalty option?