Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1164(b), “Failed to Use Signal Lamps”

On the Description of Violation on the ticket it may appear as NO/FAILED TO USE SIGNAL LAMPS”. VTL § 1164B is a ticket that is issued when there is an alleged failure to signal when changing lanes. It is similar to VTL 1163(d). If a motorist pleads guilty or is found guilty of VTL 1164-B they will get two points on their New York driving record. The exact fine is determined by the assigned judge. The maximum is $150 + $93 mandatory state surcharge. The bigger cost of this violation is the increased insurance rates. With traffic ticket convictions appearing on a driving record, the insurance company will be inclined to raise the bi-annual rates.

Statute

The text of Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1164(b) provides:

Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab, or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles. On a combination of vehicles, the rear signal lamps shall be at the rear of the last vehicle in the combination. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a vehicle, alone or in combination with other vehicles or implements, if such vehicle is used solely for agricultural purposes, and is not designed and intended primarily for use on the highway, or to fire vehicles, or to special purpose commercial motor vehicles registered under schedule F of subdivision seven of section four hundred one of this chapter.

Pleading Not Guilty to a 1164(b) Ticket

It is generally advised to plead Not Guilty to traffic law violations that will appear on your driving record. Pleading Not Guilty allows the ticketed motorist to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation (parking ticket). Whether the allegations are true, untrue, or partially true, does not matter so much because the burden of proof remains with the prosecutor/officer. An experienced traffic ticket lawyer gives you the best shot at beating the charges. Your attorney can also make any necessary court appearances in your place. For more detailed information, you can contact the team at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a traffic ticket law firm. Our firm has been fighting all kinds of New York traffic related charges since 2011. We have received hundreds of five-star testimonials over the years, most of which speak to our stellar results and customer service.

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office has specific experience handling 1164-b charges. We have gotten such charges dismissed or reduced to parking tickets. Some of the courts where we have seen success include Hancock Town Court, North Hudson Town Court, Ulster Town Court, and Rotterdam Town Court. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office provides all motorists with a free consultation. Our team will be glad to review your ticket in detail and advise on the available options. We can be reached by phone call, text message, email, or website submission. Feel free to contact us at your convenience.

Fight a VTL § 1164(b) Ticket