If somebody else is the primary driver on a car, can I insure and register it under my name in Buffalo, New York? I do not have a valid drivers license by the way.

Kelley

Buffalo, NY

Normally insurance companies in Buffalo, New York require you to have a valid US driver’s license before you can get insurance on a car that is titled and registered under your name. Some insurance carriers will permit you to be excluded as a driver and have someone with a drivers license to be the primary driver on the car. The driving record of the primary driver will be used as the rating factor for the car insurance rate.

However car insurance carriers differ on their guidelines and rules so you might be able to find an insurance company that may allow you to insure the car under your name and have someone be the primary drivers. Some of the reason that this may be allowed, if for instance you are elderly and turned in your license or if you have medical conditions etc.

You can shop around for car insurance carriers in Buffalo, New York to see if you can find an insurance provider that will allow you to insure a car under your name and have somebody else the the primary driver. You may also contact the NYS Insurance Department and see if they can assist you find an insurance carrier that will write a policy for you.

I got a ticket in White Plains, New York for driving 24 mph over the speed limit. I have a drivers license in Connecticut. I paid the fine and am now being charged a hundred dollars a year for the next three years for a “Driver Responsibility Assessment”. This is totally unfair assessment I do realize that I will not be able to drive in the state of New York for at least the next 3 years and I’m fine with that but will there be any effect on me here in Connecticut if I just ignore this?

Mark

White Plains, NY

According to the State of New York it has deemed necessary for a driver to pay the driver responsibility assessment if after November 18, 2004 if you are convicted of an alcohol-related traffic offense, you are convicted of a drug-related traffic infraction, a DMV hearing decides that you refused a chemical test or you received 6 or more points on your driver record during a period of eighteen months. The different infractions are assessed with different fees to pay for 3 years.

If you receive a statement from the New York DMV that informs you to pay a driver responsibility assessment, you need to pay the assessment. If you decide to ignore this, the DMV will suspend your driver license, your driving privileges or learner’s permit. Your driver’s license being suspended will probably affect your driving privileges in CT as well. Both states are part of a Driver License Agreement that permits DMVs to exchange information. Probably your CT driver’s license will be suspended for not paying the assessment in New York but for the specifics of what will happen I suggest that you contact your local DMV.