Do traffic tickets affect your ability to be hired?

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I'm a new graduate RN and luckily got hired to the ER in a HHC NYC hospital (so thrilled)! This means alot to me as I know its not everyday you can get hired into a hospital as a new grad in the ER, even more so in NYC.

However, on the application it states Were you ever convicted of a violation of any law or ordinance in this state or elsewhere? (Convictions for juvenile delinquency, youthful offender or wayward minor need NOT be reported. Traffic violations MUST BE included. If yes, explain each violation, setting forth the date, charge, court and action taken in the boxes below: (then it asks for in individual columns) Violation..... Date of Violation... Charge.... Court and Action Taken. then it asks to attach a copy of the final disposition for each violation.

Unfortunately I do have a traffic violation, a speeding ticket earlier this year where I was going 72 mph in a 50 limit zone. I contested and plead not guilty with a court date set for sometime in early December. I put it down in the application and for my "court and action taken" stated pending status. I have no other offenses.

My question is, will this affect my ability to get hired? Perhaps I'm over thinking this and being paranoid. Any knowledge or help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I have never declared a speeding ticket. Seems a bit odd, but I don't think you will be denied employment over it.

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Same here, but I've also never fought a ticket. I figure if I was speeding and I was it was my own dumb fault and paid it.

Unless your job requires driving a company vehicle I don't think it should play in.

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Reporting a moving violation will not impact your employment, getting caught lying about it will. Depending on how deep of a background check they do it might be discovered. If they do a deep dive it would be a very effective test to determine employee honesty and integrity.

Just wait until you have to do a credit check with an employer!

I would recommend never lying on an application, not only is it grounds for termination with most facilities but many times you forfeit your legal right to sue your employer for cause.

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Its my first traffic offense, and upon researching most sources say to plead not guilty in hopes of at least reducing the fine and points. Otherwise if you plead guilty, you lose 100% of the time. The big reason is because I dont want my insurance premiums to rise, I would be getting 6 points on my license. I remember telling the nurse recruiter, and she said that it's my right to fight the ticket.

Despite that, I dont want this to affect my chances at getting my first nursing job in a hospital. Thank you for the responses.

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Nope I definitely didnt lie about it on the application. I couldnt remember the exact date at the time but I answered it to the best of my knowledge. I agree on never lying on an employee application!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

The only instances in which your driving record is relevant to the hiring process would be when you're applying for a job that entails driving. So, driving records are always relevant to Home Care. It would also be relevant if you have to drive a mobile screening van, or travel between locations as part of your job, etc.

Otherwise, I have never encountered cross a situation (FYI, I've been around a loooong time) in which an occasional speeding ticket would make a difference. DUI or more serious moving violations? A whole different animal.

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Its my first traffic offense, and upon researching most sources say to plead not guilty in hopes of at least reducing the fine and points. Otherwise if you plead guilty, you lose 100% of the time. The big reason is because I dont want my insurance premiums to rise, I would be getting 6 points on my license. I remember telling the nurse recruiter, and she said that it's my right to fight the ticket.

Despite that, I dont want this to affect my chances at getting my first nursing job in a hospital. Thank you for the responses.

I don't know what state you are in, but at my first offense, I was able to get my violation erased by taking a defensive driving class. I would rather do that than plead not guilty to something I actually knew I was guilty of. Is this an option for you?

After a few speeding tickets over a period of about 10 years, I finally decided "enough." I changed my driving behavior, and haven't received a ticket of any kind since 1990. It can be done!

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If speeding tickets would cause a job offer to be withdrawn.. I would've had a rreeal hard time getting a job in times past. :laugh: Even though my record is much better now, I still faithfully list my driving under suspension charge from over ten years ago on every application. Never had a problem. Don't often get asked about speeding tickets.

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In the sense that one person I am aware of could not get licensed over a traffic violation, yes, there is a chance of not getting hired. In that situation, the fine had not been paid and the individual continued to get the run around between the issuing authority and the collection agency. The lesson there is: pay fines, deal with these matters in a timely manner.

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.

A lot of larger metropolitan cities like to get a more in-depth look at their Nurses. Lying in this situation will get you no where fast, because they usually do an extensive background check. If found that you lied they'll most likely dismiss you.

I worked in CA near the Los Angeles area for my first year of employment. My employer asked similar and very specific questions like this. And like you I had a speeding ticket.

I disclosed in the proper protocol and was later told by the manager after I was hired, "you'd be surprised how many qualified applicants don't get the job because they were dishonest." I think it is mostly a test of character . I think you are right to complete the application as directed and I do not think it will negatively impact your chances.

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Thank you for the feedback. Ill update this thread with my results when I get hired. Although I heard the NYC takes forver with peocessing lol.

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