I Have A Moving Violation and Both Nullifiable and Non-Nullifiable Non-Moving Violations

Facts:

On May 23, 2007, Randall was pulled over for turning left from the middle lane, not wearing a seat belt, and having an expired vehicle registration tag and Metro sticker. Not surprisingly, Randall’s proof of insurance was at home on his dresser. Randall had received another seat belt ticket back in 2004, making this a second offense. The officer wrote him a citation with five violations checked:

Here’s What Randall Decided To Do:

• Pay and apply for Traffic School by mail since he has proof of correction of his nullifiable offenses

By consulting the tables of moving and non-moving violations contained on his ticket and on this web site, Randall found out that violating a traffic lane restriction is a “moving” violation, making him eligible to apply for Defensive Driving School for that offense. That means that he has the option of either paying the fine amount for that violation or completing and submitting an application to attend school. Since he wants to avoid having another traffic conviction on his driving record, he decides to apply to attend school. He’d hoped he could go to school for his seat belt violation, too, but that is a non-moving violation and cannot be satisfied by attending driving school. To make matters worse, it’s not a nullifiable non-moving violation so Randall’s only choices are to plead not guilty and request a court date or pay the fine. He knows he was guilty so he decides to pay the fine. Randall’s other three infractions are classified as nullifiable non-moving violations. That means if Randall has proof of valid insurance, he can pay a nullification fee instead of the original fine for that violation by sending a copy of his insurance card to the Traffic Violation Bureau. He can also pay a nullification fee instead of the original fine for not having a Metro sticker if he renews his registration and sends a copy to the Traffic Violation Bureau. One good thing is that, since he was cited for Violation Code “I” – Expired Registration after May 23, 2007, he doesn’t owe anything for that violation.

NOTE: If you hold a commercial driver’s license issued in any state, you are not eligible to attend Defensive Driving classes per 49 C.F.R. §384.226 and T.C.A. §55-10-301(c). 49 C.F.R. §384.226 also does not allow for the nullification of moving or non-moving traffic violations. This applies regardless of the type of vehicle being operated at the time of the violation. Refer to the Fine Amount columns on the Moving and Non-Moving Violations tables for the corresponding fine for your violation(s).

Here’s What Randall Owes:

*In this example, Randall had valid insurance at the time of the violation but didn't have it in his car. By providing proof of that insurance to the Traffic Violation Bureau by his compliance date, no nullification fee was due on that violation. If you do not have insurance at the time of the citation but obtain it and provide proof before your compliance date, you must pay a $12.00 nullificaton fee for that violation in addition to any other fees/fines due on your citation.

Here’s What Randall Has To Do:

1. Complete the “Registration Form for Traffic School” printed on his ticket;
2. Send the following items to the Traffic Violation Bureau:

1. A copy of his traffic citation;
2. His completed “Registration Form for Traffic School”;
3. A copy of his vehicle Certificate of Registration;
4. A copy of his insurance card or the declaration page of his car insurance policy showing valid insurance at the time of the violation;
5. One payment by check, money order or cashier’s check containing his citation number made payable to the Traffic Violation Bureau in the amount of $74.00;
6. Included in the same envelope, a separate payment by check, money order or cashier’s check containing his citation number made payable to Metro Government for $65.00 if he is registering for Traffic School using the registration form printed on his ticket.

3. Ensure that all of the above is RECEIVED by the Traffic Violation Bureau by July 9, 2007. Randall has 45 calendar days to submit his school application and payments. However, it is recommended that they be submitted within 30 days. See “Note” below.

Note: If it is determined that Randall is not eligible for Traffic School, he must then pay the original fine amount for his moving violation to the Traffic Violation Bureau within forty-five (45) days from the date the ticket was issued. Click here for payment instructions.

For more information about Traffic School or questions about the Traffic School fees, visit the General Sessions Traffic School web site or call their office at (615) 862-8345.

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