Difference between revisions of "The Points System and ICBC"

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{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = autos}}
{{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = autos}}
If you get a ticket for a driving offence, you’ll typically get points on your driver's record. The more points you rack up, the more you’ll pay in insurance premiums. 


Script 187 gives general information only, not legal advice. If you have a legal problem or need legal advice, you should speak to a lawyer. For the name of a lawyer to consult, call the Lawyer Referral Service at 604.687.3221 in the lower mainland or 1.800.663.1919 elsewhere in British Columbia.
=Understand your legal rights=


This script explains driver penalty points and the driver risk premiums charged by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (called '''ICBC''').  
==Driving violations lead to driver penalty points==
When you receive a ticket for speeding or some other driving offence under the ''BC Motor Vehicle Act'', you typically get points on your driver’s record. You also get points for certain ''Criminal Code'' offences like impaired driving, criminal negligence, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. '''Driver penalty points''' are like black marks on your driving record.


==What are driver penalty points?==
==How many points you get==
When you receive a traffic or violation ticket for speeding or some other driving offence under the BC ''Motor Vehicle Act'', you normally get points on your driver’s record. You also get points for certain ''Criminal Code'' offences like impaired driving, criminal negligence, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. Driver penalty points are like black marks on your driving record.
The number of points you get depends on the driving violation involved. Many driving violations result in two or three points. All speeding violations are three points. Distracted driving is four points. Driving while prohibited or suspended is 10 points.


==When are points added to your record?==
You don’t get points for parking tickets and other minor violations of city bylaws.
Points are added to your record if you plead guilty to a driving offence or if a court convicts you of the offence. If you pay a traffic ticket, you’re admitting that you are guilty, so if you don’t agree with a ticket, you must fight (or dispute) it. You have 30 days from the date of the ticket to dispute it. If you don’t do so, the offence and points are automatically added to your driving record. Check script [[Traffic Tickets (Script 194)|194]] called “Traffic Tickets” for more information on how to fight a traffic ticket.


==How many points do you get?==
==If you dispute a driving violation==
It depends on what the ticket is for. Most traffic tickets are for 2 or 3 points. All speeding tickets are worth 3 points.
Points are added to your record if you plead guilty to a driving offence or if a court convicts you of the offence. If you pay a traffic ticket, you’re admitting you are guilty.  


==What is the driver penalty point (DPP) premium?==
If you don’t agree with a ticket, you must fight (or dispute) it. You have 30 days from the date of the ticket to dispute it. If you don’t do so, the offence and points are automatically added to your driving record. See our information on traffic tickets (no. 194) for more information on how to fight a traffic ticket.
Each year, ICBC looks at your record of driver penalty points and bills you a [http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Driver-Penalty-Points.aspx driver penalty point (or '''DPP''') premium]. The bill is sent 4 weeks before your birthday. The DPP premium depends on the total number of points you get in a 12-month period, called the assessment period. ICBC reviews your driver’s record for this period, which starts about 17 months before your birthday and ends a year later, 5 months before your birthday. For example, if you have 4 points, the annual DPP premium is $175. It’s $230 for 5 points, $300 for 6 points, and so on. If you have 50 points or more, you get the maximum DPP premium of $24,000.


==How are you billed for DPP premiums?==
==Driver penalty points can increase your insurance premiums==
ICBC bills you for a DPP premium only if you’ve had 4 or more penalty points added to your driving record in the assessment period. So if you get only an occasional minor traffic ticket, you won’t be charged any extra premium. Also, you don’t get points for parking tickets and other minor violations of city bylaws.  
Everyone who owns a motor vehicle in BC must have basic vehicle insurance from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Each year, ICBC looks at your record of driver penalty points. If you had four or more points in the previous year, ICBC bills you a '''driver penalty point premium'''. This is an additional premium beyond the premium you pay to insure any vehicle you own. You are billed even if you don’t own or insure a vehicle.


ICBC uses the points just once to calculate the premium and bill you. Once the points go on your record, they aren’t used again for billing, but ICBC keeps a record of each motor vehicle violation and point.
==The amount of the premium==
The driver penalty point premium depends on the total number of points you get in a 12-month period, called the assessment period. ICBC reviews your driver’s record for this period, which starts about 17 months before your birthday.  


==What are driver risk premiums (DRPs)?==
If you have four points, the premium is $210. It’s $276 for five points, $360 for six points, and so on. If you have 50 points or more, you get the maximum driver penalty point premium of $28,800. ICBC’s website [https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Driver-Penalty-Points.aspx lists all the premiums].
[http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Driver-Risk-Premium.aspx Driver risk premiums] ('''DRPs''') started in 2007 and applies to more serious offences. DRPs may eventually replace DPP premiums. Currently, both programs operate together. Under the DRP program, ICBC reviews your driving record for offences for the previous 3 years. You will have to pay a DRP if, during the previous 3 years, you have:
* one or more driving-related ''Criminal Code'' convictions (such as, impaired driving)
* one or more ''Motor Vehicle Act'' convictions worth 10 points or more (such as driving while suspended)
* one or more excessive speeding convictions (an excessive speeding conviction does not create a criminal record)
* two or more roadside suspensions or prohibitions


The DRP (like the DPP premium) is in addition to the usual ICBC insurance premium that you pay for any vehicle you own. And it differs from the fine you have to pay for the traffic or violation ticket. It also differs from any insurance cost increase or surcharge you have to pay if you are in an accident that was your fault. You are billed even if you don’t own or insure a vehicle.
==How you are billed for the premium==
The bill for any driver penalty point premium is sent four weeks before your birthday. ICBC uses the points just once to calculate the premium and bill you. So if you have three or fewer points in an assessment period, you won’t be billed for any premium.


==How much are DRPs?==
==Another driver premium program applies to more serious driving offences==
The amount depends on the number of convictions you get. For example, the DRP for one excessive speeding offence is $320. It’s $905 for one ''Criminal Code'' conviction like impaired driving. And it’s $3,760 for two ''Criminal Code'' convictions.
ICBC has a second program, '''driver risk premiums''', that applies to more serious driving offences. Under this program, ICBC reviews your driving record for offences for the previous three years. You will have to pay a driver risk premium if, during the previous three years, you have:
*one or more driving-related ''Criminal Code'' convictions (such as impaired driving)
*one or more ''Motor Vehicle Act'' convictions worth 10 points or more (such as driving while suspended)
*one or more excessive speeding convictions 
*two or more roadside suspensions or prohibitions


==How are you billed for a DRP?==
==The amount of the premium==
You will get only one DRP bill a year. But because the assessment period is 3 years, one conviction during this period means you have to pay the DRP each year for 3 years. For example, if you have one excessive speeding conviction, then you’ll have to pay $320 each year for 3 years, for a total of $960.
The amount of the driver risk premium depends on the type and number of convictions you get. For example, the premium for one ''Criminal Code'' conviction (such as for impaired driving) is $1,086. The premium for two ''Criminal Code'' convictions is $4,512.


==Can you be billed for both a DPP premium and a DRP?==
==How you are billed for the premium==
No, both the DRP and the DPP premium will operate until the DRP replaces the DPP. Until then, you will be billed only one premium, whichever is highest.
You will be billed only for one driver premium, whichever is highest. Because the assessment period for the driver risk premium is three years, one conviction during this period means you have to pay this premium each year for three years. 


==How long do you have to pay?==
You get a DPP or DRP bill once a year. You have to pay the bill within 30 days of the invoice date. You can pay it with online banking or in person at any bank, at Autoplan insurance brokers, ICBC claim centres, and driver licensing office. You can mail a cheque to ICBC at ICBC Revenue Accounting, 151 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3H9.


==What if you can’t or don’t pay?==
If you don’t pay the bill within 30 days, ICBC will charge you interest. ICBC can also refuse to renew your vehicle insurance until you pay. Also, you won’t be able to renew your driver’s license if you don’t pay a DPP bill or a DRP.


You can avoid paying a DPP or DRP bill if you’re willing not to drive for a year. If you give up your driver’s license to an ICBC driver licensing office for the whole one-year billing period, you won’t have to pay the bill.
=Common questions=


Or you can reduce a DPP or DRP bill by giving up your license for 30 days or more during the billing period. When you want your license back, go to a driver licensing office and pay the reduced bill, plus any extra license fees. But this works only if you do not have to take a driver re-examination and don’t have any outstanding prohibitions.
==What if I can’t (or don’t) pay the premium?==
If you don’t pay the bill for a driver premium within 30 days, ICBC will charge you interest. ICBC can also refuse to renew your vehicle insurance until you pay. Also, you won’t be able to renew your driver’s licence if you don’t pay a driver premium bill.


If you do this, be sure to actually take your license in person to the driver licensing office and get a receipt for it. If you just put your license away and decide not to drive, you’ll still owe the same money as before, plus interest, because there would be no proof that you gave up your right to drive.  
If you give up your driver’s licence to an ICBC driver licensing office for the whole one-year billing period, you won’t have to pay the bill.


==You may be able to reduce a DPP or DRP bill in other cases too==
Or you can reduce a driver premium bill by giving up your licence for 30 days or more during the billing period. When you want your licence back, go to a driver licensing office and pay the reduced bill, plus any extra licence fees. But this works only if you do not have to take a driver re-examination and don’t have any outstanding prohibitions.
ICBC will reduce a DPP or DRP bill if you’ve been prohibited or legally banned from driving for 60 days or more in the billing period. It usually does this automatically, but you may have to ask it to do so and to prove your situation. Also, you can apply to ICBC Customer Service for a refund or reduction if, for at least 30 days in a row during the billing period, any of the following cases apply:
 
* you lived in another province and legally held a driver’s license there
==What if I’m not allowed to drive? Do I have to pay the driver premium?==
* you were not in Canada or the US
ICBC will reduce a driver premium bill if you’ve been prohibited or legally banned from driving for 60 days or more in the billing period. It usually does this automatically, but you may have to ask it to do so and to prove your situation.  
* you were in jail
 
* you had medical reasons for not driving
Also, you can apply to ICBC for a refund or reduction if, for at least 30 days in a row during the billing period, any of the following apply:
*you lived in another province and legally held a driver’s licence there
*you were not in Canada or the US
*you were in jail
*you had medical reasons for not driving


Again, you may have to prove your case to ICBC.
Again, you may have to prove your case to ICBC.


==Multiple crash premium==
==Are there premium increases if I cause multiple accidents?==
If you are 50% (or more) at fault for 3 crashes in 3 years, you have to pay a [http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Multiple-crash-premium.aspx multiple crash premium] of $1,000. For each additional crash within 3 years, you would pay an extra $500.  
Yes. If you are 50% (or more) at fault for three motor vehicle accidents in three years, you might need to pay a '''multiple crash premium''' of $1,000. This is in addition to your regular Autoplan premiums.
 
For each additional crash within three years, you would pay an extra $500.
 
 
 
=For help=
 
==With more information==
'''ICBC''' has information on the [https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Driver-Penalty-Points.aspx driver penalty point premium] and the [https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Driver-Risk-Premium.aspx driver risk premium].
:Toll-free: 1-800-663-3051
:Web: [https://www.icbc.com icbc.com]


==More information?==
* Check the [http://www.icbc.com/ ICBC website] for [http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/default.aspx information on both DPPs and DRPs].
* Call ICBC Customer Contact at 604.661.2800 in the lower mainland, or 1.800.663.3051 (toll-free) elsewhere in BC.
* Check the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_00 Motor Vehicle Act]'' and the ''[http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/index.html Criminal Code]''.




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[updated May 2018]
[updated May 2018]


'''The above was last edited by John Blois.'''
'''The above was last reviewed for legal accuracy by Janet Mackinnon, ICBC.'''


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Revision as of 18:03, 22 January 2019

If you get a ticket for a driving offence, you’ll typically get points on your driver's record. The more points you rack up, the more you’ll pay in insurance premiums.

Understand your legal rights

Driving violations lead to driver penalty points

When you receive a ticket for speeding or some other driving offence under the BC Motor Vehicle Act, you typically get points on your driver’s record. You also get points for certain Criminal Code offences like impaired driving, criminal negligence, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. Driver penalty points are like black marks on your driving record.

How many points you get

The number of points you get depends on the driving violation involved. Many driving violations result in two or three points. All speeding violations are three points. Distracted driving is four points. Driving while prohibited or suspended is 10 points.

You don’t get points for parking tickets and other minor violations of city bylaws.

If you dispute a driving violation

Points are added to your record if you plead guilty to a driving offence or if a court convicts you of the offence. If you pay a traffic ticket, you’re admitting you are guilty.

If you don’t agree with a ticket, you must fight (or dispute) it. You have 30 days from the date of the ticket to dispute it. If you don’t do so, the offence and points are automatically added to your driving record. See our information on traffic tickets (no. 194) for more information on how to fight a traffic ticket.

Driver penalty points can increase your insurance premiums

Everyone who owns a motor vehicle in BC must have basic vehicle insurance from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Each year, ICBC looks at your record of driver penalty points. If you had four or more points in the previous year, ICBC bills you a driver penalty point premium. This is an additional premium beyond the premium you pay to insure any vehicle you own. You are billed even if you don’t own or insure a vehicle.

The amount of the premium

The driver penalty point premium depends on the total number of points you get in a 12-month period, called the assessment period. ICBC reviews your driver’s record for this period, which starts about 17 months before your birthday.

If you have four points, the premium is $210. It’s $276 for five points, $360 for six points, and so on. If you have 50 points or more, you get the maximum driver penalty point premium of $28,800. ICBC’s website lists all the premiums.

How you are billed for the premium

The bill for any driver penalty point premium is sent four weeks before your birthday. ICBC uses the points just once to calculate the premium and bill you. So if you have three or fewer points in an assessment period, you won’t be billed for any premium.

Another driver premium program applies to more serious driving offences

ICBC has a second program, driver risk premiums, that applies to more serious driving offences. Under this program, ICBC reviews your driving record for offences for the previous three years. You will have to pay a driver risk premium if, during the previous three years, you have:

  • one or more driving-related Criminal Code convictions (such as impaired driving)
  • one or more Motor Vehicle Act convictions worth 10 points or more (such as driving while suspended)
  • one or more excessive speeding convictions
  • two or more roadside suspensions or prohibitions

The amount of the premium

The amount of the driver risk premium depends on the type and number of convictions you get. For example, the premium for one Criminal Code conviction (such as for impaired driving) is $1,086. The premium for two Criminal Code convictions is $4,512.

How you are billed for the premium

You will be billed only for one driver premium, whichever is highest. Because the assessment period for the driver risk premium is three years, one conviction during this period means you have to pay this premium each year for three years.


Common questions

What if I can’t (or don’t) pay the premium?

If you don’t pay the bill for a driver premium within 30 days, ICBC will charge you interest. ICBC can also refuse to renew your vehicle insurance until you pay. Also, you won’t be able to renew your driver’s licence if you don’t pay a driver premium bill.

If you give up your driver’s licence to an ICBC driver licensing office for the whole one-year billing period, you won’t have to pay the bill.

Or you can reduce a driver premium bill by giving up your licence for 30 days or more during the billing period. When you want your licence back, go to a driver licensing office and pay the reduced bill, plus any extra licence fees. But this works only if you do not have to take a driver re-examination and don’t have any outstanding prohibitions.

What if I’m not allowed to drive? Do I have to pay the driver premium?

ICBC will reduce a driver premium bill if you’ve been prohibited or legally banned from driving for 60 days or more in the billing period. It usually does this automatically, but you may have to ask it to do so and to prove your situation.

Also, you can apply to ICBC for a refund or reduction if, for at least 30 days in a row during the billing period, any of the following apply:

  • you lived in another province and legally held a driver’s licence there
  • you were not in Canada or the US
  • you were in jail
  • you had medical reasons for not driving

Again, you may have to prove your case to ICBC.

Are there premium increases if I cause multiple accidents?

Yes. If you are 50% (or more) at fault for three motor vehicle accidents in three years, you might need to pay a multiple crash premium of $1,000. This is in addition to your regular Autoplan premiums.

For each additional crash within three years, you would pay an extra $500.


For help

With more information

ICBC has information on the driver penalty point premium and the driver risk premium.

Toll-free: 1-800-663-3051
Web: icbc.com



[updated May 2018]

The above was last reviewed for legal accuracy by Janet Mackinnon, ICBC.




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