I recently got 2 speeding tickets within a span of 2 weeks. The first one was in Wicliffe (45mph on a 25mph)and the second in Cleveland Heights (42mph on a 25mph).  I have a Mini Cooper S so you can imagine that its not so easy keeping the speed down especially in the 25mph zones. I have not got any previous tickets in my 10 year driving record. Now I am concerned about my insurance policy. The tickets will add a total of 4 points to my record. My insurance with Geico runs until end of Sept and is up for renewal. What can I do to alleviate the rate hike.

 

Also the traffic violations court system in Cleveland area is kind of wierd. When my friends got tickets in NJ and PA, they could go to court and have the fine and points reduced. But here if I have to go to court they will charge me $90.00 just for court fees and if guilty, I have to pay the fine too.

"I have a Mini Cooper S so you can imagine that its not so easy keeping the speed down especially in the 25mph zones."

 

Yeeeeah... my friend who has an RX8 seems to do okay with the 25mph zones. :?

Sounds like you have a lead foot. 

 

CH is going to screw you, the cops always show up and everything is fully documented.  Be prepared to pay!

I know its totally my fault. I am still learning to drive a manual and I tend to press the gas more than I should from second gear to third gear. I got insurance from geico in Mar and is up for renewal in Sept, will they be hiking the premium? Is there anything I can do to alleviate it?

Sounds like you have a lead foot.

 

CH is going to screw you, the cops always show up and everything is fully documented. Be prepared to pay!

 

I dont mind paying the fine, I am more concerned about the insurance premiums getting higher. Cant I go to Traffic School and have the ticket erased?

You may want to try negotiating with your insurer ahead of time. You never know.

Sounds like you have a lead foot. 

 

CH is going to screw you, the cops always show up and everything is fully documented.  Be prepared to pay!

 

I dont mind paying the fine, I am more concerned about the insurance premiums getting higher. Cant I go to Traffic School and have the ticket erased?

 

hint...hint.

 

Call the city and ask what your options are.  Call you insurance company and pretend to be a new customer and ask those questions.

Thanks folks. Will do.

Some information I found out after talking to the DMV.

 

Ohio does not have a program where they remove points if you take a traffic course. So taking a defensive course does not help in my case. Am screwed thats for sure :(

The tickets are on my NJ license. What if I go get an Ohio license, will the points carry over?

Just caught the part about learning to drive manual - I feel your pain; an ex tried to teach me once. After having to shift for the 5th time in the span of a 1/4 mile stretch (with a slight grade), I said forget it - too many steps when you can just step on the gas and go with an automatic.

It depends on the circumstances, really.

 

I have been to traffic court and successfully defended myself on 4 different tickets.  But you have to have a reasonable explanation and an otherwise clean record (it sounds like you have the latter - not having proper control of your car is not an excuse unless it's not your car).

 

I have heard CH police always show to court but I've heard the same thing about Cleveland city police and it's not always true.  Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, it's just on average more often than in suburbs.  I can't tell you to go to court or not,but if you think you can make a reasonable argument as to fighting the ticket, it's worth the time and money.

 

If you are going to court:

- come prepared to immediately go into a trial.  If you plead not guilty and the officer is there, they will go right into it.  This means you need to do your research and be ready ahead of time.  I won't lead you into what argument you might put up but you can find lots of information on the internet.  Do point out your otherwise clean driving record.

 

If you lose, yes, you're out more money - it's a gamble, but IMO has always been one worth taking.  If they don't show up, you automatically win and owe nothing, have no ticket, no points.  If they do show up, you have about a 20-50% chance of winning depending on your argument and preparedness.  WEAR A SUIT and address the judge as "your honor" and the cop as "officer."

 

If you lose one or both tickets, I personally wouldn't alert my insurance company. In my early days when I worked on the E side a lot, which is where I got nearly ALL my tickets by the way, I don't think my insurance company EVER found out about them and after a certain # of years they drop completely off your record.

 

If they do find out about it and plan to raise your rates, you should talk to the underwriter and ask for leniency based on your good past driving history (nice guy approach) and if they refuse to budge, get some quotes from other companies and call back and threaten to switch companies.  There's almost always someone who can do better for you.

Check the Yellow Pages for an attorney that specializes in traffic defense. In most cases they can get moving violations such as speeding tickets reduced to a non-moving violation. Non-moving violations will not count as points on your driving record. It is not as expensive as one might think and the cost of a non-moving violation is less than a speeding ticket and will make up for most of the cost of the attorney's fees.

Yes, you can take a driver's safety course through the BMV and have 2 points taken off (or maybe it adds 2 points to your allowed total before suspension, I am not exactly sure).  But that will help keep your insurance and points down.

 

You can call the city prosecutor in each city and see what your options are for negotiating a lesser violation.  You may be paying more up front, but it might keep your insurance down.  That is more risky though, especially b/c you were simply speeding - that's pretty black and white.

 

And if you're already at speed when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, you need not apply the gas at all while shifting (so if you're in a 25 mph zone and simply want to decrease RPM, just shift - don't hit the gas).  You only really need to apply the gas when stopped and shifting to first, although if you find the sweet spot in your clutch, you can inch forward as if you had an automatic.

and if you intend to go to court, I would check first what Ohio's residency laws are with out of state licenses.  In California for example, you can only live there for something like 2 weeks before being required by law to get a CA license.  Many people DON'T within that time frame, but legally you are supposed to, and if you are arguing a ticket as an Ohio resident with a NJ license, you should know the law before you go in.

 

Since you are a recent transplant from NJ, that could play positively into your argument as long as they can't prove you've been here for like 6 months and still haven't gotten an OH license.

Yes, you can take a driver's safety course through the BMV and have 2 points taken off (or maybe it adds 2 points to your allowed total before suspension, I am not exactly sure). But that will help keep your insurance and points down.

 

You can call the city prosecutor in each city and see what your options are for negotiating a lesser violation. You may be paying more up front, but it might keep your insurance down. That is more risky though, especially b/c you were simply speeding - that's pretty black and white.

 

And if you're already at speed when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, you need not apply the gas at all while shifting (so if you're in a 25 mph zone and simply want to decrease RPM, just shift - don't hit the gas). You only really need to apply the gas when stopped and shifting to first, although if you find the sweet spot in your clutch, you can inch forward as if you had an automatic.

 

Taking the traffic course adds 2 points as credit so now the driver has 2 points more before his drivers license gets suspended. But it does not lower or remove the points.

"WEAR A SUIT and address the judge as "your honor" and the cop as "officer."

 

Amen - I forgot to mention that. The one time I had to go to traffic court, I think I was given a break compared to the people dregs of humanity that showed up in stained/ripped tank tops, shorts and flip flops (no, not kidding). It probably didn't help their case that they acted bratty with the judge, and were bragging about their dozens of priors with other people in the court. My fine was $125 but the judge reduced it to $75 - other than me and a gal who was dressed professionally, that didn't happen for anyone else.

What argument can I possibly use. I know I was speeding although I have to say that I was not speeding like I wanted to overtake someone. Just speeding for that fraction to change gears. Its a driving technique that I need to fix else I will keep getting such tickets. Both these tickets I got for my NJ drivers license. Does any one know if there is a link between NJ DMV and OH DMV. I am thinking of getting a new OH drivers license tomorrow. I moved here from NJ in July of last year and have not changed my license yet.

 

Some folks here including Mayday and MyTwoSense may remember me. I moved to the Huron Sqr apts in downtown on their recommendation and then moved to the hamptons in beachwood based on their feedback too. I have to say besides these tickets Cleveland has been very kind to me. I have got my first break in life here. I have a nice apt, good job, nice car :) and overall have been able to keep myself busy doing fun stuff in Cleveland. Lots of friends warned me prior to moving here but I think am really enjoying my time here. May be I will buy a house and live here for many many years :)

It depends on the circumstances, really.

 

I have been to traffic court and successfully defended myself on 4 different tickets. But you have to have a reasonable explanation and an otherwise clean record (it sounds like you have the latter - not having proper control of your car is not an excuse unless it's not your car).

 

I have heard CH police always show to court but I've heard the same thing about Cleveland city police and it's not always true. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, it's just on average more often than in suburbs. I can't tell you to go to court or not,but if you think you can make a reasonable argument as to fighting the ticket, it's worth the time and money.

 

If you are going to court:

- come prepared to immediately go into a trial. If you plead not guilty and the officer is there, they will go right into it. This means you need to do your research and be ready ahead of time. I won't lead you into what argument you might put up but you can find lots of information on the internet. Do point out your otherwise clean driving record.

 

If you lose, yes, you're out more money - it's a gamble, but IMO has always been one worth taking. If they don't show up, you automatically win and owe nothing, have no ticket, no points. If they do show up, you have about a 20-50% chance of winning depending on your argument and preparedness. WEAR A SUIT and address the judge as "your honor" and the cop as "officer."

 

If you lose one or both tickets, I personally wouldn't alert my insurance company. In my early days when I worked on the E side a lot, which is where I got nearly ALL my tickets by the way, I don't think my insurance company EVER found out about them and after a certain # of years they drop completely off your record.

 

If they do find out about it and plan to raise your rates, you should talk to the underwriter and ask for leniency based on your good past driving history (nice guy approach) and if they refuse to budge, get some quotes from other companies and call back and threaten to switch companies. There's almost always someone who can do better for you.

MayDay, you got a ticket??  :?  I can't imagine that.  You're such a follow all the directions type.

and if you intend to go to court, I would check first what Ohio's residency laws are with out of state licenses. In California for example, you can only live there for something like 2 weeks before being required by law to get a CA license. Many people DON'T within that time frame, but legally you are supposed to, and if you are arguing a ticket as an Ohio resident with a NJ license, you should know the law before you go in.

 

Since you are a recent transplant from NJ, that could play positively into your argument as long as they can't prove you've been here for like 6 months and still haven't gotten an OH license.

 

Technically the "suggested" time is 30 days, but I don't believe that's actually a law...  I am currently in the process of transferring residencies myself.

and if you intend to go to court, I would check first what Ohio's residency laws are with out of state licenses. 

 

Wow, Ohio dosen't mess around, I thought Florida was tough. It is 30 days:

 

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/HSY-7607.pdf

"What argument can I possibly use. I know I was speeding although I have to say that I was not speeding like I wanted to overtake someone. Just speeding for that fraction to change gears. Its a driving technique that I need to fix else I will keep getting such tickets. Both these tickets I got for my NJ drivers license. Does any one know if there is a link between NJ DMV and OH DMV. I am thinking of getting a new OH drivers license tomorrow. I moved here from NJ in July of last year and have not changed my license yet. "

 

Like I said.  First off I would REALLY research the law before even considering going to court.  You could be in Big Trouble because you have been here for over a year and still haven't gotten an OH license.  As for reciprocity, only someone really familiar with traffic court laws could advise but I always err on the side of reciprocity - I would assume it would transfer over.  If you have a warrant here and they run you in another state, it pops up on their radar, so infractions may as well.  Always assume in their favor.  You cannot just get a clean slate because you get a new license, that just seems really, really unlikely though again I am no expert.

 

If the law makes it not a good idea for you to go to court, suck it up, pay the tickets, hope your insurance doesn't find out and drive like an old man, particularly on the E side where they are notorious for tickets.  Eventually the tickets will come off your record.  I can't imagine driving stick so improperly that you have to speed up 20 mph in between shifting gears, and I've been driving stick for 24 years.  It's just not a good argument. 

 

And as I said earlier, there are ALL KINDS OF ARGUMENTS you can make in traffic court, but I'm not going to do your work for you.  If you want someone to do the work for you, hire an attorney for traffic court.  But again, I would suggest if you decide to pursue it, go on the internet and research your options.

"Some folks here including Mayday and MyTwoSense may remember me."

 

Yep, and it's good to hear that (other than the tickets) things are going well. It sounds like you may have some options like what shs96 suggested, and if nothing else - when you go to court, just be humble, polite, and professional (as rockandroller said - ALWAYS *ALWAYS* say "your honor" when speaking to the judge). And hope the judge is feeling lenient that day :-)

and if you intend to go to court, I would check first what Ohio's residency laws are with out of state licenses.

 

Wow, Ohio dosen't mess around, I thought Florida was tough. It is 30 days:

 

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/HSY-7607.pdf

 

30 days is standard most places.  While you have driving privvys on another state's license, if you become a resident in a new state, you are expected to change all things related to your residency - your car insurance, your registration, your license/identification, just like everything else you change with a move. Admittedly like I said, a lot of people don't, but you are taking a risk.  They could have cited you for being a resident here and not having gotten your OH license.

 

If I were you, I would not fight the tickets in court and I would feel lucky they didn't ticket me for that (or other) additional offenses.

MyTwoSense,

 

I am. And I am not a rash driver. Its just I bought this new car and its my first manual car and I have been learning it the hard way.

You got a ticket?? :?   I can't imagine that. You're such a follow all the directions type.

 

I think the NJ license may just save me. I looked at NJ DMV and they do have a program where if you take defensive drivers course, Two points will be removed from the accumulated points you currently have on your license. Or so it says on the website. So this way because of my NJ license I can atleast knock 2 points off and hope the insurance premium is not raised too high.

RockandRoller,

 

I think you are right. I should be glad they did not give me a ticket for not having OH drivers license. I am not going to court, going to pay the ticket, take the defensive drivers course and hope the insurance dont find out.

 

If you folks see a red mini cooper S with white stripes driving like an old man, thats probably me :)

 

and if you intend to go to court, I would check first what Ohio's residency laws are with out of state licenses.

 

Wow, Ohio dosen't mess around, I thought Florida was tough. It is 30 days:

 

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/HSY-7607.pdf

 

30 days is standard most places. While you have driving privvys on another state's license, if you become a resident in a new state, you are expected to change all things related to your residency - your car insurance, your registration, your license/identification, just like everything else you change with a move. Admittedly like I said, a lot of people don't, but you are taking a risk. They could have cited you for being a resident here and not having gotten your OH license.

 

If I were you, I would not fight the tickets in court and I would feel lucky they didn't ticket me for that (or other) additional offenses.

MyTwoSense,

 

I am. And I am not a rash driver. Its just I bought this new car and its my first manual car and I have been learning it the hard way.

You got a ticket??  :?   I can't imagine that.  You're such a follow all the directions type.

 

I think the NJ license may just save me. I looked at NJ DMV and they do have a program where if you take defensive drivers course, Two points will be removed from the accumulated points you currently have on your license. Or so it says on the website. So this way because of my NJ license I can atleast knock 2 points off and hope the insurance premium is not raised too high.

 

I learned how to drive with an automatic.  I'm glad I did.  You never forget.  Pretty soon, you'll be able to driver, eat, change gears, etc. without even blinking.

I am usually on 2nd gear even at 25 mph, and then when I change to 3rd gear with a little gas, the car easily shoots to 40mph+. And then I brake to bring down the speed. Its poor technique, I always press gas when I change gears but I have been told I dont have to press gas. I need to work on fixing this.

 

"What argument can I possibly use. I know I was speeding although I have to say that I was not speeding like I wanted to overtake someone. Just speeding for that fraction to change gears. Its a driving technique that I need to fix else I will keep getting such tickets. Both these tickets I got for my NJ drivers license. Does any one know if there is a link between NJ DMV and OH DMV. I am thinking of getting a new OH drivers license tomorrow. I moved here from NJ in July of last year and have not changed my license yet. "

 

Like I said. First off I would REALLY research the law before even considering going to court. You could be in Big Trouble because you have been here for over a year and still haven't gotten an OH license. As for reciprocity, only someone really familiar with traffic court laws could advise but I always err on the side of reciprocity - I would assume it would transfer over. If you have a warrant here and they run you in another state, it pops up on their radar, so infractions may as well. Always assume in their favor. You cannot just get a clean slate because you get a new license, that just seems really, really unlikely though again I am no expert.

 

If the law makes it not a good idea for you to go to court, suck it up, pay the tickets, hope your insurance doesn't find out and drive like an old man, particularly on the E side where they are notorious for tickets. Eventually the tickets will come off your record. I can't imagine driving stick so improperly that you have to speed up 20 mph in between shifting gears, and I've been driving stick for 24 years. It's just not a good argument.

 

I am usually on 2nd gear even at 25 mph, and then when I change to 3rd gear with a little gas, the car easily shoots to 40mph+. And then I brake to bring down the speed. Its poor technique, I always press gas when I change gears but I have been told I dont have to press gas. I need to work on fixing this.

 

"What argument can I possibly use. I know I was speeding although I have to say that I was not speeding like I wanted to overtake someone. Just speeding for that fraction to change gears. Its a driving technique that I need to fix else I will keep getting such tickets. Both these tickets I got for my NJ drivers license. Does any one know if there is a link between NJ DMV and OH DMV. I am thinking of getting a new OH drivers license tomorrow. I moved here from NJ in July of last year and have not changed my license yet. "

 

Like I said. First off I would REALLY research the law before even considering going to court. You could be in Big Trouble because you have been here for over a year and still haven't gotten an OH license. As for reciprocity, only someone really familiar with traffic court laws could advise but I always err on the side of reciprocity - I would assume it would transfer over. If you have a warrant here and they run you in another state, it pops up on their radar, so infractions may as well. Always assume in their favor. You cannot just get a clean slate because you get a new license, that just seems really, really unlikely though again I am no expert.

 

If the law makes it not a good idea for you to go to court, suck it up, pay the tickets, hope your insurance doesn't find out and drive like an old man, particularly on the E side where they are notorious for tickets. Eventually the tickets will come off your record. I can't imagine driving stick so improperly that you have to speed up 20 mph in between shifting gears, and I've been driving stick for 24 years. It's just not a good argument.

 

 

You do NOT press the gas when shifting - the car is in neutral and the gas does absolutely nothing (except be wasted).  It is a simultaneous motion - lift right foot while depressing left foot (clutch) and shift.  The car continues to move. 

 

While driving on an empty street, lift your foot off the gas and put the clutch in but do nothing else.  The car continues to coast and will only slow down a little bit unless you are on an incline.  It is during the coast that you change gears.  You don't need to continually power the car through the shifting - it's causing your speed problems and probably adding to your gas consumption quite a bit, unnecessarily.

 

 

You do NOT press the gas when shifting - the car is in neutral and the gas does absolutely nothing (except be wasted).  It is a simultaneous motion - lift right foot while depressing left foot (clutch) and shift.  The car continues to move. 

 

While driving on an empty street, lift your foot off the gas and put the clutch in but do nothing else.  The car continues to coast and will only slow down a little bit unless you are on an incline.  It is during the coast that you change gears.  You don't need to continually power the car through the shifting - it's causing your speed problems and probably adding to your gas consumption quite a bit, unnecessarily.

 

 

 

Agreed.  Lay off the gas!  Who taught you how to drive or are you learning as you go?

There is a chance that the ticket won't make it to your NJ license but don't bank on it. I got a ticket just about two years ago on the Ohio Turnpike and it never showed up on my Florida drivers license.

 

I spoke to an attorney up there and he said that some states are better than others about transferring points. Ohio does notify the state of residence but the other states don't always follow through.

Thats true, you can press the clutch, coast and then change gears. But if you dont give it gas and leave the clutch, the car jerks. For me from first to second and second to third, it jerks a lot. So I give it gas and take the RPM to 3000 at the same time as I leave the clutch. This way there is no jerk. I definitely need a radar detector.

 

I am usually on 2nd gear even at 25 mph, and then when I change to 3rd gear with a little gas, the car easily shoots to 40mph+. And then I brake to bring down the speed. Its poor technique, I always press gas when I change gears but I have been told I dont have to press gas. I need to work on fixing this.

 

"What argument can I possibly use. I know I was speeding although I have to say that I was not speeding like I wanted to overtake someone. Just speeding for that fraction to change gears. Its a driving technique that I need to fix else I will keep getting such tickets. Both these tickets I got for my NJ drivers license. Does any one know if there is a link between NJ DMV and OH DMV. I am thinking of getting a new OH drivers license tomorrow. I moved here from NJ in July of last year and have not changed my license yet. "

 

Like I said.  First off I would REALLY research the law before even considering going to court.  You could be in Big Trouble because you have been here for over a year and still haven't gotten an OH license.  As for reciprocity, only someone really familiar with traffic court laws could advise but I always err on the side of reciprocity - I would assume it would transfer over.  If you have a warrant here and they run you in another state, it pops up on their radar, so infractions may as well.  Always assume in their favor.  You cannot just get a clean slate because you get a new license, that just seems really, really unlikely though again I am no expert.

 

If the law makes it not a good idea for you to go to court, suck it up, pay the tickets, hope your insurance doesn't find out and drive like an old man, particularly on the E side where they are notorious for tickets.  Eventually the tickets will come off your record.  I can't imagine driving stick so improperly that you have to speed up 20 mph in between shifting gears, and I've been driving stick for 24 years.  It's just not a good argument. 

 

 

You do NOT press the gas when shifting - the car is in neutral and the gas does absolutely nothing (except be wasted).  It is a simultaneous motion - lift right foot while depressing left foot (clutch) and shift.  The car continues to move. 

 

While driving on an empty street, lift your foot off the gas and put the clutch in but do nothing else.  The car continues to coast and will only slow down a little bit unless you are on an incline.  It is during the coast that you change gears.  You don't need to continually power the car through the shifting - it's causing your speed problems and probably adding to your gas consumption quite a bit, unnecessarily.

 

 

Thats true, you can press the clutch, coast and then change gears. But if you dont give it gas and leave the clutch, the car jerks. For me from first to second and second to third, it jerks a lot. So I give it gas and take the RPM to 3000 at the same time as I leave the clutch. This way there is no jerk. I definitely need a radar detector.

 

The jerking is because you haven't learned (or don't know how) to switch gears at ease yet.

 

Switching gears should be one swift fluid motion.

Thats true, you can press the clutch, coast and then change gears. But if you dont give it gas and leave the clutch, the car jerks. For me from first to second and second to third, it jerks a lot. So I give it gas and take the RPM to 3000 at the same time as I leave the clutch. This way there is no jerk. I definitely need a radar detector.

 

 

This is because you are shifting too soon.  The car is not up to the proper speed before you are shifting.  You will not hurt the car by runnign the RPMs up higher before shifting, it's actually a little better for your gas mileage.

Judges are very lenient depending on how you talk to them. I once fell asleep behind the wheel when I was 17 and caused a lot of damage.  I almost got my license suspended, but after I went to court dressed professionally and spoke to the judge respectfully I actually got away with only 2 points and a $25 fine. 

It AMAZES me what people wear to court, and how they behave.  Every time I go they think I'm an attorney and ask me to register with the bailiff.

 

I mean, it looks like a contest for "who can look the worst."  I don't know what the strategy is supposed to be there.  It's like Night of the Living Dead.

Well they do the same at job interviews but that's a discussion for another topic.

This is the other part that causes me to overspeed. Lets say I am doing 25 mph on 2nd gear at 2500 RPM. I push the car to 3000 RPM to shift gears to 3rd gear. By the time I have changed gear the car is already at 35 mph +. If I change gears at around 2500 RPM, the car jerks. Same for 3rd to 4th gear. I can be at 50 mph on 3rd gear and still be around 3000 RPM. So when the speed limit changes from 35 mph to 45 mph, my mind is always thinking I should change to 4th gear but for the instance that i change gears to 4th gear, I am past 50 mph and then I have to brake to slow down.

 

This is not even in the Sports mode of the car. In that mode, its got even more responsiveness.

 

Thats true, you can press the clutch, coast and then change gears. But if you dont give it gas and leave the clutch, the car jerks. For me from first to second and second to third, it jerks a lot. So I give it gas and take the RPM to 3000 at the same time as I leave the clutch. This way there is no jerk. I definitely need a radar detector.

 

 

This is because you are shifting too soon. The car is not up to the proper speed before you are shifting. You will not hurt the car by runnign the RPMs up higher before shifting, it's actually a little better for your gas mileage.

It AMAZES me what people wear to court, and how they behave.  Every time I go they think I'm an attorney and ask me to register with the bailiff.

 

I mean, it looks like a contest for "who can look the worst."  I don't know what the strategy is supposed to be there.  It's like Night of the Living Dead.

 

Oh tell me about it - I was absolutely appalled at the people there. The well-dressed gal I mentioned came in, looked around , saw me and asked "mind if I sit next to you?!?". It was like that line from Titanic - "will the lifeboats traffic court be separated by class?"

This is the other part that causes me to overspeed. Lets say I am doing 25 mph on 2nd gear at 2500 RPM. I push the car to 3000 RPM to shift gears to 3rd gear. By the time I have changed gear the car is already at 35 mph +. If I change gears at around 2500 RPM, the car jerks. Same for 3rd to 4th gear. I can be at 50 mph on 3rd gear and still be around 3000 RPM. So when the speed limit changes from 35 mph to 45 mph, my mind is always thinking I should change to 4th gear but for the instance that i change gears to 4th gear, I am past 50 mph and then I have to brake to slow down.

 

This is not even in the Sports mode of the car. In that mode, its got even more responsiveness.

 

 

It sounds like you are just a little bit off in your timing with releasing the clutch.  You are either letting it off too early and causing your car to jerk, or you are letting it off way too late and driving up the rpms.  You should drive around with someone you know who is very good at driving manual and have them coach you so that you can get the timing right. 

"This is the other part that causes me to overspeed. Lets say I am doing 25 mph on 2nd gear at 2500 RPM. I push the car to 3000 RPM to shift gears to 3rd gear. By the time I have changed gear the car is already at 35 mph +. If I change gears at around 2500 RPM, the car jerks. Same for 3rd to 4th gear. I can be at 50 mph on 3rd gear and still be around 3000 RPM. So when the speed limit changes from 35 mph to 45 mph, my mind is always thinking I should change to 4th gear but for the instance that i change gears to 4th gear, I am past 50 mph and then I have to brake to slow down. "

 

It's quite possible you are not letting up on the clutch gradually enough.  You don't just pump it in and then pull your foot off like it's a hot coal.  Just like when you start the car from a stop - you gradually lift the L foot while applying the gas.  The perfect mix causes the car to proceed at a gradual increase of speed.  Too much gas causes the car to bolt forward too fast.  Too little clutch causes the jerking.

 

I guarantee you this is not the car's fault, it is driver error.  You are not used to driving a stick properly and are not driving it correctly.  Spend some time in a deserted parking lot and practice starting and stopping from various speeds.  If you cannot drive the car without it jerking or racing forward at 5mph, you don't have the mix right, and you have to fix it til you can.  You should be able to drive all around the parking lot at no more or less than 5mph, 10mph, etc.  Until you have mastered that, you aren't driving the car correctly.

Well they do the same at job interviews but that's a discussion for another topic.

You aint neva lied!

I guarantee you this is not the car's fault, it is driver error. You are not used to driving a stick properly and are not driving it correctly. Spend some time in a deserted parking lot and practice starting and stopping from various speeds. If you cannot drive the car without it jerking or racing forward at 5mph, you don't have the mix right, and you have to fix it til you can. You should be able to drive all around the parking lot at no more or less than 5mph, 10mph, etc. Until you have mastered that, you aren't driving the car correctly.

 

That's actually a really good point.  I got the mix right from sitting in traffic jams in Chicago.  Once I figured out how to travel stop and go at 5 mph without jerking or revving the engine, I found that I was able to drive properly at any speed. 

No offense, but why not just pay the two tickets and get on with your life?  You've admitted you were speeding.  Arguing that you don't quite know how to properly drive your car doesn't seem like a very smart argument to me, especially when you haven't yet gotten your OH license. 

 

As for the insurance bit, to find out what your rate might be, you can do some quotes with different companies and just quote yourself with 2 tickets.  Not sure if GEICO will let you re-quote yourself if you already have a policy or not, but you can certainly get a new quote with all the other companies.

I've been insured with GEICO since 1991. Last December I had an experience made me feel lucky to be alive; I drive a Ford Focus station wagon, and I tangled with a semi and walked away without a scratch.

 

GEICO let me choose one of the best repair shops in town without chasing multiple estimates, and the adjuster made sure it was done right. I can't tell the car was ever hurt, either in the way it looks or the way it drives.

 

And they didn't raise my rates. I'm impressed.

 

BTW, rockandroller has given a ton of good advice. Get an experienced person to coach you on driving a manual transmission. With a high-performance car you may have to stay in lower gears in 25mph zones to maintain good control and avoid lugging the engine. If it jerks, you need to be in a lower gear to keep the rpm up.

Buy a Honda 600 minicar like mine , you sit on the ground so when you are running 25 it feels like 40 also it travels a nice slow 0-60 in 24 seconds. 8-)  The 2 cylinder motorcycle engine is pretty good  on gas too perfect for saving $ you will be paying for insurance as a result of your leadfeet.

^ Were those officially sold here?

Were those officially sold here?

  Yes,  first Honda automobile imported to the US

Geez. The last time I saw one of those was at least 20 years ago. It was an N600 sedan and it was on an <i>Interstate</i> somewhere in eastern Ohio. It looked like the dickens, a pile of rust, but it was buzzing right along.