Reckless driving is considered a crime in Idaho, and its repercussions reflect its severity with up to $1,000 in fines, up to two months in jail, and a minimum license suspension of 30 days.

Making a mistake on the road like driving slightly above the speed limit or neglecting to heed a traffic sign can result in a minor traffic conviction, but dangerously maneuvering along the roadway can earn you a reckless driving charge. A reckless driving violation encompasses a range of risky actions on the road and can leave lasting marks on your driving record.

If you’re wondering how to prevent these penalties from coming your way in the state of Idaho, we compiled all the details of Idaho’s reckless driving laws and how to avoid costly convictions that could affect

Idaho insurance costs

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How does Idaho define reckless driving?

Under Idaho state laws, anyone operating a vehicle upon a highway or property open to public use will be convicted of reckless driving for:

“Carelessly and heedlessly or without due caution and circumspection” or

“At a speed or in a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property” or

Passing “when there is a line in his lane indicating a sight distance restriction”

In any case, the motive and intention behind the reckless move in question is key to the law enforcement officer’s determination of the charge. If the driver is believed to have committed the offense unintentionally, a lesser charge called inattentive driving may be issued.

What are the penalties for reckless driving in Idaho?

No matter what the parameters of the reckless driving charge are, it will always be considered a misdemeanor in Idaho.

There are also levels to the severity of the consequences for repeat offenses. For the first offense, drivers can expect these penalties:

Up to $1,000 in fines

Up to six months in jail

A suspended license for 30 days

Repeat offenses within five years of the first offense carry more weight, with the following penalties:

Up to $2,000 in fines

Up to one year in jail

A suspended license for 90 days

If a driver gets charged with a third reckless driving offense within three years of the first, their

license will be suspended

for one year.

Since reckless driving charges cover a range of related moving violations in Idaho, there isn’t a specific set of points that come along with them.

However, convictions like “racing on public highways” carry four points and negligent driving tickets carry anywhere between two and four points. Each situation will be unique to the traffic conditions at the time of the incident.

Key Takeaway: You don’t have to cause a huge accident to go to jail for reckless driving. Any behaviors that unnecessarily endanger other people could get you a reckless driving charge.

MORE:

How to register a car in Idaho

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How can I remove a reckless driving charge from my record?

Since reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic convictions, the charge and any accompanying points will remain on your record for three years.

Although the state will drop the

points on your license

three years after the date of the offense, there’s a more proactive way to drop points from your record. There’s an option to complete an Idaho Defensive Driving Class (DDC) or Traffic Safety Course (TSC).

Completion of one of these courses will remove three points from your record. Keep in mind that you’re only eligible to enroll once every three years, so maintaining safe driving practices in between is crucial to restoring your driving record.

Another option is to hire a lawyer and appear in court to reduce the severity of the reckless driving charge. With an experienced attorney, there’s potential to drop the reckless driving charge to an inattentive driving charge, which is issued for more subtle traffic violations.

It’s still a misdemeanor but comes with fewer penalties:

Up to $300 in fines

Up to 90 days in jail

Three demerit points on your driving record

Will reckless driving make my insurance go up?

Paying fees, accruing points, court appearances, and license suspensions are just precursors to the skyrocketing insurance rates that follow a reckless driving charge. Insurance companies implement a harsh premium increase of $540 per year after a reckless driving offense.

With that rate being 53% higher than the average auto insurance rate in Idaho, it can be a major monetary blow for anyone. Younger demographics and drivers with less-than-pristine driving records already pay astronomical insurance premiums as it is, so if you fall into one of these categories, it’s all the more reason to avoid a reckless driving charge completely.

MORE:

Idaho car insurance laws

How to find affordable car insurance in Idaho

While staring down the stress of criminal charges and soaring insurance premiums, you might be wishing that something—anything—could be easy or free in the equation. Enter

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