Did you know that not all speeding violations will go on your driving record, even if you’re convicted? It’s true, thanks to the man shown above, Chuck Dimler. Mr. Dimler was a farmer-turned-legislator who seems to have had strong feelings about traffic laws (or may just a heavy foot?).
In 1986 he sponsored a bill that now bares his name and changed the way that traffic violation records are maintained. Under the Dimler Amendment, certain violations do not go on a person’s driving record. However, it applies only to very specific circumstances.
Under the statute, a violation will not be recorded if it occurred in a 55 mile per hour zone, and the violation was for a speed of 10 miles per hour or less over the speed limit. Therefore, in a 55 mile per hour zone, a conviction for speeding at 65 miles per hour or less will not appear on the driver’s record. A conviction for 66 or more will still be recorded, however.
Similarly, a violation will not be recorded if it occurred in a 60 mile per hour zone, if the violation was for a speed of 5 miles per hour or less over the speed limit. Thus, in a 60 mile per hour zone, a conviction for speeding at 65 miles per hour or less will not appear on the driver’s record. A conviction for 66 or more would not be affected by the Dimler amendment and would appear on the driver’s record.
Note that the law only applies to violations occurring in a 55 or 60 mile per hour zone. Any violation in any other zone will go on a person’s record. One other important exception applies as well – this does not apply to anyone with a commercial driver’s license, even if they’re not operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the offense. If you have a CDL, a conviction will go on your record for any speed in any zone in any vehicle.
