What Are Driver’s License Points?
Points are a numerical penalty the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) applies to an individual’s driver record when they commit certain traffic violations. The driver record is a record of all the traffic violations committed by the driver over a specified period of time. Different moving violations are worth a different number of Driver Violation Points – and once a driver reaches a certain number of points in a specified period of time, the DMV will take action, such as imposing penalties and even suspending their driver’s license. Your car insurance rates may also be affected if you exhibit poor driving behavior. Driving carefully and obeying traffic rules is always the best bet.
On average, this program assigns between two and four Driver Violation Points to a person’s driver record if they are guilty of a moving traffic violation. But it varies considerably: Illinois assigns 20 Driver Violation Points for texting while driving. Considering that driver’s license codes vary from state to state, it’s essential to check the driver’s license points program where you live.
Driver Violation Points are for moving violations only, meaning the DMV doesn’t apply any for non-moving minor offenses. One thing worth noting — the number of Driver Violation Points depends on the type of violation. For instance, the Driver Violation Points assigned for a speeding ticket are different than those assigned for an illegal lane change.
How Many Points Can I Get Before My License is Suspended?
Each state has its own set of rules around the points system – and some states don’t use it at all. For those states that do, there’s typically a number of points handed out for each moving violation. Once you accumulate a specified number of points in a designated time period, your license may be suspended. Most states start the time frame by the violation date, not the date of conviction.Remember, even though a state may not use a formal points system, they typically have some other form of identifying high-risk drivers. Just because you don’t accumulate points, you can still face a suspended license or revocation for a certain number of moving violations (MV) or very serious actions.
| State | Number of Points | Time Frame for License Suspension |
| Alabama | 12-14 | 24 months |
| Alaska | 12 points | 12 months |
| Arizona | 8 points | 12 months |
| Arkansas | 14 points | When you reach 14 points |
| California | 4 points | 12 months |
| Colorado | 12 points | 12 months |
| Connecticut | 10 points | 24 months |
| Delaware | 14 points | 24 months |
| District of Columbia | 14 points | 24 months |
| Florida | 12 points | 12 months |
| Georgia | 15 points | 24 months |
| Hawaii | No point system | |
| Idaho | 12-17 points | 12 months |
| Illinois | 3 violations | 12 months |
| Indiana | 2 violations | 12 months |
| Iowa | 3 violations | 12 months |
| Kansas | No point system | |
| Kentucky | 12 points | 24 months |
| Louisiana | No point system | |
| Maine | 12 points | 12 months |
| Maryland | 8 points | 24 months |
| Massachusetts | 3 surchargeable offenses | 24 months |
| Michigan | 12 points | 24 months |
| Minnesota | 4 violations | 12 months |
| Mississippi | No point system | |
| Missouri | 12 points | 12 months |
| Montana | 30 points | 36 months |
| Nebraska | 12 points | 24 months |
| Nevada | 12 points | 12 months |
| New Hampshire | 12 points | 12 months |
| New Jersey | 12 points | When you reach 12 points |
| New Mexico | 7 points | 12 months |
| New York | 11 points | 18 months |
| North Carolina | 12 points | 36 months |
| North Dakota | 12 points | When you reach 12 points |
| Ohio | 12 points | 24 months |
| Oklahoma | 10 points | 60 months |
| Oregon | No point system | 3 criminal violations in 5 years |
| Pennsylvania | 2 points for minor, 5 for major violations | When you reach 6 points for a second offense |
| Rhode Island | No point system | 3 reckless driving in 12 months |
| South Carolina | 12 points | 12 months |
| South Dakota | 15 points | 12 months |
| Tennessee | 12 points | 12 months |
| Texas | No point system | 4 MV in 12 months |
| Utah | 35 points minor, 80 points major | 200 points in 36 months |
| Vermont | 10 points | 24 months |
| Virginia | 18 points | 12 months |
| Washington | No point system | 3 serious offenses in 5 years |
| West Virginia | 12 points | 24 months |
| Wisconsin | 12 points | 12 months |
| Wyoming | No point system |
Different states assign different points for offenses. For example, in California, running a red light is 1 point. In New York, it’s worth 2 points. In Florida, you’ll be looking at 4 points.
What Can I Get Points For?
In the majority of cases, points will be for moving violations only. These typically consist of what is defined as minor and major infractions. Some states use more subtle ways to catch their drivers breaking traffic laws, including cameras that are used to monitor speed limit and red light runners. These nefarious traffic monitors are sneaky – in some cases, you won’t even know you’ve broken the law and been caught until a bill comes in the mail. Sometimes the difference between a minor offense and a major one is at the discretion of the ticketing police officer, so it behooves you to be polite when you get pulled over.
All states assign different numerical values to each of these. A speeding ticket is the most common moving violation across the board and the number of points you receive may depend on how fast you were driving over the posted limit.
Minor Traffic Offenses
Most states consider the following to be minor violations.
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Failure to yield
- Not obeying traffic cones
Major Traffic Offenses
Most states consider the following to be major infractions. For some of these, even though they are still misdemeanors, a driver can be hauled off to jail. If you are committing any of these violations and are involved in or cause a car accident or injury, the offense may be automatically upgraded to a felony.
- Operating the vehicle under the influence of any alcohol or narcotics
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Texting while driving (distracted driving)
- Speed or drag racing
- Hit and run
- Fleeing from an officer
- Improper passing of a school bus
Automated Traffic Enforcement
Many states use cameras to catch red light runners, those who speed and, in some states, those who fail to pay a toll on highways that use them. Typically, these cameras will snap a photo of a driver (and their license plate) who has committed a violation. Once the photo is reviewed by the proper authorities, if it is deemed credible, the offending driver will get a ticket in the mail.
These citations are every bit as legally binding as a ticket handed to you by a cop. Failure to respond may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
How Long Will Points Be On My Record?
Again, it depends on the state and the violation. For example, say you get a major infraction, such as reckless driving, in New York. That’s worth 5 points and it stays on your record for 18 months. If you’ve received no other citations in that time, the points drop off and you get reset to zero. In California, points stay on your record for 3-7 years.
What Steps Can I Take to Get Points Off My Driving Record?
For starters, drive safely and don’t accumulate points. It’s the best way to have a clean driving record. However, there are some steps you can take if you receive a citation and want to work towards lessening the impact.
Enroll in a Defensive Driving Course
Depending on the severity of your circumstances, many judges will look more favorably on a driver who takes proactive measures to show their desire to be a better driver in the future. One way you can do this is by enrolling in traffic school or signing up for a defensive driving course – immediately after receiving your ticket. This won’t work for more serious offenses, such as DUI. You can find a good online course, if going in person is not viable.
Dispute Your Ticket
If you feel that your ticket was issued erroneously, you can plead not guilty. You’ll be assigned your day in court. Once you get to court, you’ll need some evidence to show the judge why you shouldn’t be penalized for this ticket. You can also hire some help in the form of a traffic ticket attorney.
Hire an Attorney
If you are going to court, taking some legal help with you may be a good idea. You’ll need to decide if the cost for the legal beagle outweighs the short- and long-term costs of the ticket. If this is the ticket that adds enough points to your already-established record to result in a suspended license, then it may be worth the expense. Contesting (or even just appearing for) more serious tickets, such as DUI, will almost always need some legal representation.
Additional Consequences of Points on Your License
Besides the risk of losing driving privileges, there’s important information to understand. There’s a chance that your car insurance rates will increase or your car insurance company will drop you as a client. Again, it depends on the offense. Typically, driver’s license points won’t directly affect insurance rates.
If someone admits to or the court convicts them of multiple moving offenses, not only will that become a permanent part of their driving record but also their insurance history. Therefore, at the time of renewing a policy or when switching to a different insurer, there’s no guarantee the insurance company will offer that person coverage.
Find Affordable Car Insurance Quotes Online Today
If you have driver’s license points on your record but need quality and affordable insurance coverage, Freeway Insurance can help. We don’t discriminate just because someone made a mistake. For a free quote, contact us today.
