unpaid speeding ticket = suspendended drivers license = nursing over??? please help!!

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Hi everyone, thank you in advance for your help and time!

Okay, so here's the story. I got a speeding ticket in february. I forgot to pay this speeding ticket, which resulted in my drivers license being suspended. I then moved to a different city and didn't officially change my address on my drivers license, so I wasn't getting the notices reminding me to pay, etc (my fault, I know). So then, I get pulled over for "driving left of center" when the cop informs me that my license was suspended for this unpaid speeding ticket. The police officer then impounds my car, handcuffs me, puts me in the back of the cop car, takes me to the police station where my pictures are taken and I am fingerprinted. Then I called my parents, who came and got me and paid 100.00 dollars bond money.

I paid the speeding ticket and license reinstatement fee the very next morning. I confirmed with the secretary of state that my license was reinstated, and officially changed my address. I sent a letter via certified mail to the prosecutor explaining the situation and apologizing for my actions.

I had an appearance date, where I pled "not guilty" to the driving while license suspended charge.

I then went to pretrial, where I met with a substitute prosecutor, who did two things. He dismissed the "driving left of center" civil infraction. He also reduced the "driving under suspended license charge" to "driving without license on person" charge. I accepted that.

What concerns me? The "Driving without license on person" charge is also a misdemeanor. the prosecutor said it was a traffic misdemeanor, which meant that it would NOT show up on my criminal background check, but would show up on my driving record.

I am confused. Does this mean that I do not have to report it? I want to become a nurse. Nursing schools run criminal background checks, they don't run your driving record. So would I be obligated to report this? Or no?

How bad is this? Please help! I have NOTHING else on my record (criminal) or on my driving record, just other speeding tickets and a ticket for having my high beam on....nothing else.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. If i am NOT obligated to report this to nursing schools, I would be so thankful.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

let me tell you this is the right place for you to be.. these are the most non-judgemental people you will ever meet, they are kind and always willing to go out of the way to give great advice.. well then i have to say... we can't give any legal advice according to the TOS...... have you checked with your state's board of nursing? i would hope they could give you some sort of advice.. i would also advise a lawyer .. when it comes to these legal problems always consult a lawyer... i wish you the best of luck in all you do.. don't ever give up on your dream , nursing is a rewarding job !!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Um - Chill out! Your speeding ticket and so called "driving without a license" is in the same category as "traffic offenses". I'm sure your speeding ticket cost more than the fine for driving without a license. Minor traffic offenses should not worry you, note I said MINOR, like speeding (within reason, not reckless driving), seatbelt, invalid inspection sticker, etc.

"Criminal" misdemeanors is what most background checks show: destruction of property, shoplifting, possession.

I have speeding tickets and a seat belt violation and a car wreck where I was charged with "improper driving". None showed on my background check and all were within 7 years.

I am in VA - so it may be different, check with your BON...but it would be very odd for this to keep you out.

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Specializes in SRNA.

It sounds like you aren't a nurse. I'd call your state's board of nursing and give them your scenario and see what they have to say out it.

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

I had the same thing happen! Sorry you were actually handcuffed/impounded(I for sure would have fainted and vomited at the same time). It's a minor traffic offense and won't show up, I think, mine didn't. Sorry about your awful experience, good luck with school :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Also - what state handcuffed you? I just want to make sure I never travel there. :)

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Specializes in ICU.

Ohio will - happened to a relative of mine.

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

Ohio???Uh oh. Time for me to travel.......

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Same in Ga. If you r caught driving on a suspended license you will be arrested.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Good gosh!

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Specializes in OR.

here where I live its jail time and a fine .

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In Indiana, where I live, it is normal to be arrested for driving on a suspended license but I think it may be discretionary with the officer that pulled you over. I have had friends "let go" after the cop confiscates the license and allows another person to drive instead. As for still being/becoming a nurse I think honesty is the best policy. I have gone over the minutes of meetings for my state's nursing board and the majority of people who seem to be in actual trouble are ones who had DUI's or OWI and even then it seems like it is the ones who did not admit it to the board or did not follow the boards recommendations (diversion classes etc). With all that being said I worked with a nun who was also an RN who had so many speeding tickets we called her the "flying nun" :saint: and to the best of knowledge never had problems with the Nursing Board with her license.

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