Mind your statements, an ICBC issue

[Always Sunny]

I will preface this by saying that I'm not too proud of my driving skills upon first arriving in BC 3 years ago. My Ontario driving record is spotless.

Long story short I received a speeding ticket July 2010. Due to several reasons I disputed the ticket, but did not receive a court date until August 2011, at which time I was unable to attend the location, and paid the fine.

Two more violations came my way in 2011, again not proud...but I later found out that my speedometer was off because of my tires. That has been resolved, but I decided just to pay those tickets within the 30 days.

I just received my statement for my points premium. Because of the timing of when these tickets were posted, all in 2011 and within 17 months of my birthday (one year previous to 5 months before your birthday...where ever they get that figure).

ICBC said that I received 9 points. Though the first ticket was issued in 2010 and outside of that 17 month window (those 3 points would normally be forgiven for that period), it was posted in 2011 and thus added to my 2011 total.

I called up ICBC and asked the question and was told that I was right, that the 2010 should have been forgiven in that previous period.

Not that a $300 premium is great, but it's better than the $640 bill I received.

I hope my stupidity can help someone out.

[KtownCouple]

I thought u were "allowed" 3 points per year.

And isn't it calendar year and not ur birthday year?

[Always Sunny]

I thought u were "allowed" 3 points per year.

And isn't it calendar year and not ur birthday year?

It's not a calendar year, it's "one year previous to 5 months before your birthday".

Say your birthday is July 1st...you go back 5 months to February 1st and then one year previous to that. So your ticketing period would be February 1st 2011 to February 1st 2012. No idea why this is the formula, but it's written out in plain writing on the statement they sent. I'm assuming you've never had the pleasure of receiving one :)

Yes, you are "allowed" 3 points, per ticketing period. Technically my July 2010 was outside of the ticketing period. However, ICBC counted it because it was posted in November 2011 due to the major delays in setting court dates for ticket disputes. That is why I was able to have that one forgven, and reduced my fine by over half.

[OffRoad]

When did you get your first and second tickets in 2011?

My understanding was that, regardless of your assessment period, your points stayed on your license for 1yr from when you got the ticket. A second ticket during that year would add to the points and reset the 1yr period. Depending on the dates of your tickets, you could still have had 9 points for this assessment period.

[Always Sunny]

When did you get your first and second tickets in 2011?

My understanding was that, regardless of your assessment period, your points stayed on your license for 1yr from when you got the ticket. A second ticket during that year would add to the points and reset the 1yr period. Depending on the dates of your tickets, you could still have had 9 points for this assessment period.

I agree with that thinking, but ICBC agreed it was not calculated properly. Based on the assessment period the 2010 ticket was months ahead of this assessment period and should have been forgiven in the previous period. It was an issue with the violation date versus the posted date (which was delayed, putting it incorrectly into 2011).

ICBC sided with me and adjusted it...violations remain on record for five years I believe, but the points can only affect your fine once.