What is an Eye Bond (I Bond) and How is it Used with Speeding Tickets?

In most states, if you are facing a driving suspension, you are automatically given a thirty-day "grace" period in which you can drive until that period is up or your court date arrives. In some states, however, you have to purchase what is called an "eye bond." An eye bond is insurance you purchase to allow you to get out of jail and keep driving up and until your court date, at which point whatever penalty is assessed is applied.

When a person has too many convictions or penalties assessed to their record, or when they commit what is considered an "aggravated" offense, their license to drive can be suspended pending their court date and, in some cases, suspended immediately. These types of infractions usually encumber "outrageous abuse," such as exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 MPH, reckless driving that puts pedestrians or other drivers and passengers at risk of injury or death, and cases in which the person exceeds double the legally permitted allowance for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When a person is charged with these types of infractions, they are almost always brought to jail for processing.

To get out of jail, they have to post bail to a bail bondsman. Bail is money you pay to guarantee that you will show up at your trial. Most bail for these types of infractions ranges from $1,000 to several thousand dollars and can have placed on it conditions of release such as cash only, personal recognizance or a percentage payment requirement based on the amount of bail ordered. States that have enacted eye bond practices also require as a condition of release further payment to cover the insurance related to allowing a person to drive from the time of their release until the time of their trial.