Getting pulled over for speeding is never fun. But it is even more nerve-wracking when it happens to you while you’re driving in a rental car. Here’s what you should do if you get a speeding ticket in Ohio.
Looking at the average number of speeding tickets issued annually, Ohio ranks no. 6 in the nation, according to a study by Insurify.
How Much Are Speeding Fines in Ohio?
Traffic ticket fines are not uniform throughout Ohio. This means a speeding in Dayton is not the same as in Columbus or Cleveland. Most speeding fines will cost between $100 and $200, depending on your speed and where you get the ticket.
Ohio is one of two states allowing local courts to set their own fines, court costs and other fees. That results in a wide discrepancy in how much you might pay for a violation from one locality to another. These surcharges can be as costly or more costly than the speeding fine itself.
How to Handle a Speeding Ticket in a Rental
Unlike parking tickets and toll violations, which are typically tied to the vehicle, a speeding ticket is generally tied to the driver. If a police officer pulls you over, you’ll be able to handle the fine on your own—possibly without the rental company ever finding out. From there, you can pay the fine or fight it. Going to traffic school or taking a defensive driving course online may also be an option for avoiding points on your record.
There is one way the rental company could find out about the issue. Getting caught by a speed camera that takes a photo of the plate would mean that the rental company would be notified of the fine—and pass on to you at a later date with an added fee. If you receive a notice in the mail about a fine triggered by a speed camera, pay it immediately to avoid dealing with collections agencies or you could end up on the Do Not Rent list.
How to Pay a Speeding Ticket in Ohio
You’ll have to pay for a speeding ticket in Ohio even if you don’t live there, as states disclose out-of-state violations to one another. The quickest way to handle the ticket is to pay for it as soon as possible by following the directions printed on the ticket itself, which usually includes information for paying online or by phone. You can also pay in person at the court denoted on the ticket.
If you choose to contest the ticket, you will have to do so with the specific Ohio municipality that oversees the traffic laws where you were driving—not the rental car company. In some cases you may be able to do this online. That information will be available through the same municipal court listed on your ticket. However, going this route could require showing up in court and paying additional fees in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I document damage done to my car before it is rented?
All documentation including photos should be kept on hand. If you don’t know the damage, ask for help from the agent when you are getting the vehicle inspected. You may need to pay extra for an inspection if there is any damage.
Is it possible for me to rent a car and have it delivered in France?
It may not possible to rent a car through an Italian company and drive it across Europe. However, you could use a service such as Europcar, which offers rentals all over Europe. You would need to contact them directly for information on renting cars in Italy and dropping them off at another location.
Where is the most convenient place to rent car?
The most common places to rent cars are airports, rental agencies, hotels, etc.
It is easy to find airports close to you using online travel websites like Priceline or Expedia.
You may also want to consider local rental companies if they have locations close to where you live. These are often cheaper and easier to use than booking directly on an airline site.
Consider using public transportation if renting a car in a shorter period of time than two weeks. A city-wide bus pass allows unlimited use within a designated area.
You may be able rent a convertible if you are traveling with kids. People prefer convertibles because they offer more protection for their children.
Statistics
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
External Links
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jdpower.com
enterprise.com
autoslash.com
How To
How do I make sure that pre-existing damage isn’t charged to my rental car?
If you take a rental car for a few days, what happens when the vehicle is returned to the rental agency? If there is a scratch on your rental car, do you get charged for this damage? This is a very common issue for those renting cars from different companies. Even if customers do not cause damage to the rented car, some agencies charge customers for it. You should ask whether there will be any dents or scratches on your vehicle to avoid paying these fees. These are the steps you can take to ensure that no charges will be made for damage done before renting a car.
- Ask for a duplicate of the agreement.
- You should carefully read the description of your car.
- Carefully read the fine print.
- Ask for a complimentary cleaning;
- You should be careful about the condition of your vehicle.
- Don’t leave anything behind inside the car;
- You should always bring cash when renting a vehicle.
- Keep receipts of all payments.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that no one touches the car without you permission.
- Never accept a gift from the company;
- Do not rent from a dubious agency.
- Remember to bring the contract along with you;
- You must return the vehicle in its original condition.
- Provide your contact details to the agent
- Avoid repeating the same company.
- Write down important details about the car, such as the mileage, model, engine size, color, etc. ;
- Take photos of the damage;
- Do it yourself.
- A third party should inspect your car.
- Never agree not to pay any additional fees
