Driving is a powerful privilege. But with great power comes great responsibility, and for new drivers, that responsibility is about more than just staying out of the way of other cars—it’s about following the traffic laws, too.
In fact, if you’re the type of driver who thinks a law that discourages drivers from turning left on red is ridiculous, you might want to take a look at this list of the eight most commonly cited traffic violations for new drivers.
Here are the most commonly cited traffic violations for new drivers—and what you need to know about them:
1.Texting While Driving
We all know that texting and driving is extremely dangerous, but many states have yet to pass laws banning it. Because of this, new drivers can easily find themselves pulled over for texting while driving.
In fact, it’s the most common violation for new drivers, in large part because of how easily ignored it is by non-new drivers. Still, if you want to avoid looking like an inexperienced driver and taking a ticket—don’t text while driving.
2. Speeding
Most states do have a speed limit. Unfortunately, most new drivers don’t realize this until they are pulled over for going way over the speed limit. In fact, speeding is one of the most common traffic violations for new drivers because new drivers aren’t aware of how fast they should be going.
And while most seasoned drivers understand that going five miles over the speed limit isn’t a big deal, new drivers are often unaware that just one or two miles can actually be the difference between getting pulled over or getting away with it.
3. Improper Lane Usage
At some point, every driver has been guilty of improper lane usage. It happens! But in most cases, improper lane usage is considered a pretty minor traffic offense. Still, new drivers tend to be pulled over for it quite a bit simply because they seem unaware of how to properly use the roads around them. So, how can you be prepared for what’s going to happen down the road?
4. Failing to Signal
Having trouble getting somewhere? Just forget about using turn signals—it shouldn’t take this long! This is what new drivers often learn the hard way after being pulled over for failing to signal. So, in order to avoid getting pulled over for it, here’s a lesson you should remember:
• When turning left or right, use your turn signals. If you feel like having a little fun, try slowing down to 10 miles an hour and give three sharp blasts of the horn.
• Always signal when backing up. When using a turn signal to back up and turning left or right, always use the blinkers.
5. Driving Without a License
For new drivers, the thrill of being behind the wheel can make you forget about licenses. But, this is something that will get you pulled over faster than any other traffic offense on this list. Within minutes of your first drive with a driver’s license, you should already know how to drive with it safely and legally—and what to do if it gets lost or stolen.
6. Driving an Unregistered Vehicle
The 8 Most Common Traffic Violations of New Drivers
Driving is a powerful privilege. But with great power comes great responsibility, and for new drivers, that responsibility is about more than just staying out of the way of other cars—it’s about following the traffic laws, too.
In fact, if you’re the type of driver who thinks a law that discourages drivers from turning left on red is ridiculous, you might want to take a look at this list of the eight most commonly cited traffic violations for new drivers.
Here are the most commonly cited traffic violations for new drivers—and what you need to know about them:
1.Texting While Driving
We all know that texting and driving is extremely dangerous, but many states have yet to pass laws banning it. Because of this, new drivers can easily find themselves pulled over for texting while driving.
In fact, it’s the most common violation for new drivers, in large part because of how easily ignored it is by non-new drivers. Still, if you want to avoid looking like an inexperienced driver and taking a ticket—don’t text while driving.
2. Speeding
Most states do have a speed limit. Unfortunately, most new drivers don’t realize this until they are pulled over for going way over the speed limit. In fact, speeding is one of the most common traffic violations for new drivers because new drivers aren’t aware of how fast they should be going.
And while most seasoned drivers understand that going five miles over the speed limit isn’t a big deal, new drivers are often unaware that just one or two miles can actually be the difference between getting pulled over or getting away with it.
3. Improper Lane Usage
At some point, every driver has been guilty of improper lane usage. It happens! But in most cases, improper lane usage is considered a pretty minor traffic offense. Still, new drivers tend to be pulled over for it quite a bit simply because they seem unaware of how to properly use the roads around them.
4. Failing to Signal
Having trouble getting somewhere? Just forget about using turn signals—it shouldn’t take this long! This is what new drivers often learn the hard way after being pulled over for failing to signal. So, in order to avoid getting pulled over for it, here’s a lesson you should remember:
• When turning left or right, use your turn signals. If you feel like having a little fun, try slowing down to 10 miles an hour and give three sharp blasts of the horn.
• Always signal when backing up. When using a turn signal to back up and turning left or right, always use the blinkers.
5. Driving Without a License
For new drivers, the thrill of being behind the wheel can make you forget about licenses. But, this is something that will get you pulled over faster than any other traffic offense on this list. Within minutes of your first drive with a driver’s license, you should already know how to drive with it safely and legally—and what to do if it gets lost or stolen.
6. Driving an Unregistered Vehicle
Being pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle is a major pain—and it’s one that new drivers are most likely to experience for one of three reasons:
• They are not sure how to register their vehicle, so they don’t.
• They aren’t aware of the time limits and deadlines that apply to U.S. car registration.
• They don’t know that they need to register their vehicle in the state they are in at all.
If you are pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle, tell the officer that you didn’t realize you needed to register your vehicle until recently—and that you will be registering it in the next 24 hours. This should be enough to avoid a ticket—and if not, make sure that you do register!
7. Noncompliance with Seat Belt Laws
New drivers tend to carry this annoying (and sometimes dangerous) habit of not wearing their seat belts. Many states require all drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts, so failing to comply with this law is not only illegal but can be deadly in the case of an accident.
For new drivers, this means that not wearing a seatbelt is a death wish. This is also why it’s a good idea to make sure that everyone in your car is buckled up—especially because new drivers are likely to be driving with their friends and not their parents.
8. Not Meeting Insurance Requirements
For new drivers, insurance might not even be an option—particularly when it comes to being able to afford it. This is not the time you want to roll the dice and hope that there are no accidents; your parents get stuck with the bill (which, if they have car insurance, they will)—and you’ll have these points on your driving record.
In conclusion, many of these traffic violations are minor but need to be taken seriously. Andif you don’t want to get pulled over, remember: always follow the rules.
Being pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle is a major pain—and it’s one that new drivers are most likely to experience for one of three reasons:
• They are not sure how to register their vehicle, so they don’t.
• They aren’t aware of the time limits and deadlines that apply to U.S. car registration.
• They don’t know that they need to register their vehicle in the state they are in at all.
If you are pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle, tell the officer that you didn’t realize you needed to register your vehicle until recently—and that you will be registering it in the next 24 hours. This should be enough to avoid a ticket—and if not, make sure that you do register!
7. Noncompliance with Seat Belt Laws
New drivers tend to carry this annoying (and sometimes dangerous) habit of not wearing their seat belts. Many states require all drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts, so failing to comply with this law is not only illegal but can be deadly in the case of an accident.
For new drivers, this means that not wearing a seatbelt is a death wish. This is also why it’s a good idea to make sure that everyone in your car is buckled up—especially because new drivers are likely to be driving with their friends and not their parents.
8. Not Meeting Insurance Requirements
For new drivers, insurance might not even be an option—particularly when it comes to being able to afford it. This is not the time you want to roll the dice and hope that there are no accidents; your parents get stuck with the bill (which, if they have car insurance, they will)—and you’ll have these points on your driving record.
In conclusion, many of these traffic violations are minor but need to be taken seriously. Andif you don’t want to get pulled over, remember: always follow the rules.
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