A Rochester driver arrested for drinking and driving will usually be issued a Uniform Traffic Ticket that looks very similar to the tickets issued for other driving offenses – such as speeding or passing a stop sign.

Most moving violations for which traffic tickets are issued result in a certain number of “points” being placed on the driver’s license of the defendant following a conviction.

Accumulating eleven or more points in an eighteen month period will result in a loss of driving privileges. Having points on a driver’s license may also result in higher insurance rates.

A conviction for a drinking and driving offense, however, does not result in any points being imposed on the driver’s license of the defendant.

Instead, alcohol-related driving offenses are handled in a completely different – and much more severe – fashion.

Upon a conviction for any drinking and driving offense, the driving privileges of the defendant will be suspended or revoked.

Because loss of driving privileges is automatic upon any DWI conviction, there is no need to impose a certain number of points against the driver’s license to determine whether he or she should retain any driving privileges.

Also, while automobile insurance companies may increase the insurance rates of drivers who have accumulated points on their license, a conviction for a drinking and driving offense may have a much more severe impact on the driver’s auto insurance.

It is not unusual for an insurance company to cancel a driver’s insurance when it learns of a drinking and driving conviction, and many defendants end up in an insurance company’s “risk pool” with rates that may be two or three times higher than their prior payment.

If you have been arrested for DWI in Rochester and need help understanding the law, we would be happy to assist you at 585-484-7432.