Obtaining a driver’s license for the first time can be one of the most exciting events in a teenager’s life. After spending hours behind the wheel, attending various driving courses, and getting yelled at by nervous parents as they are learning to drive, being able to finally ride on the roads without parental supervision can make a minor finally feel independent. However, driving without parents in the car does not mean that young motorists have surpassed the various restrictions allotted to new drivers. Many teens incorrectly believe that once they have a driver’s license, they have the same rights on the road as any other driver. Understanding the restrictions that exist for new drivers is extremely important before hitting the road, especially since traffic violations can have a significant effect on a person's license and insurance rates, and serious violations may even lead to criminal charges and a lifelong criminal record.

License Phases

Each state has its own rules for new drivers, and it is imperative to have a good understanding of this, whether you are a parent or a new teen driver. In Texas, there are two types of driver’s licenses, known as “phases,” and each phase has its own rules and regulations.

Traffic laws vary from state to state, and while the rules may seem relatively similar, you should understand how the consequences change as you cross state lines. Drivers who violate traffic laws can receive traffic tickets, and they may face serious fines and fees. What many people do not realize is that receiving a traffic violation can lead to more than just an expensive ticket.

Common Offenses and Their Penalties

Traffic violations come in many different forms — and so do their legal consequences. Speeding may be the first type of violation to come to mind, but drivers may face hundreds of dollars in fines and other consequences for a variety of other reasons, including driving without a seat belt, texting while driving, driving without a valid license, or failing to maintain liability insurance. Charges can become even more serious for offenses such as reckless driving or DWI, and in these cases, drivers may face license suspension or even jail time.

So you just got pulled over and immediately start to panic as police sirens are blaring and lights are vigorously flashing from the rearview mirror. Were you speeding? Broken tail light? Swerving? As the officer approaches your car, you realize a potential high-price traffic ticket will soon follow. Traffic tickets are overwhelmingly frustrating because many people are unsure of the law when it comes to these incidents. We want you to know exactly how they work and what you need to know if you ever have the displeasure of being in this situation in the state of Texas.

What is Reasonable Suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is what an officer needs to lawfully institute a traffic stop. While this term may lack a definite explanation, small incidents such as failing to use your blinker or incorrectly changing lanes is enough for an officer of the law to pull you over.

Officers need probable cause.

If you’re ordered to step out of your car by an officer, you must comply. However, the officer needs probable cause to enter your vehicle. You have the right to say no to an officer asking to search your vehicle without a search warrant. If an officer proceeds to search your vehicle without a warrant, this act is an illegal search. Call BCP at (830) 769-1010 immediately to handle this case for you.

Seeing the red and blue flashing lights behind you is a situation that every driver hopes to avoid. You slow down, pull over to the side of the road, and hope that you do not receive a high-priced ticket. What many people fail to realize is that paying a large fee is not the only legal consequence of a traffic violation, and in many cases, even those who do not receive a ticket may still face penalties or consequences to their driving records.

What Is the “Point System?”

Every Texas traffic violation is put on record and has “points” attached to it. The more serious the violation, the higher the points. Unlike many states, Texas only has two categories of violations that determine the number of points. Any Texas or out-of-state traffic conviction will warrant two points added to the driver’s record and any Texas or out-of-state conviction resulting in a collision will result in three points. These numbers may sound low; however, even having two points on your record can translate to financial consequences such as higher insurance premium rates.