By Natalie Moritz | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed December 04, 2023
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Most states have a traffic ticket points system. These systems assign a point value to different traffic offenses, with more serious offenses carrying a higher point value. For example, violations like driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident assign more points than a seat belt citation, speeding ticket, or running a red light or stop sign.
When you receive a traffic ticket, points are added to your driver's license and become part of your driving record. Accumulating a certain number of points, usually 10-12, can lead to consequences for drivers, such as driver's license suspension or revocation and higher insurance premiums.
Points systems discussed in this article apply to non-commercial drivers. Point values may be different for those with a commercial driver's license (CDL). This is because commercial drivers operate larger and heavier vehicles that pose greater safety risks if not driven safely. Although it varies by state, points systems for commercial drivers typically differ in a few ways:
Not all states have a formal point system. These states use other methods to monitor traffic violations and apply penalties:
The absence of a point system does not mean there aren't penalties for driving offenses in these states. Violations can still impact residents' insurance rates and driving privileges. See the chart at the end of this article for links to these states' alternatives to points-based systems.
Points do not stay on your driving record forever. Most states remove points after a certain period of incident-free driving. The specific period of time depends on the state where you hold your license, but typically points expire after one to three years. Once points are removed, they can no longer be used to restrict your driving privileges.
It should be noted that just because the points for a particular offense have expired doesn't mean they will no longer have an impact. The traffic conviction can stay on your driving record and may still affect your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies set their own guidelines on how long they will charge higher premiums for citations and points.
It's simple to find out how many points you currently have on your driver's license. Although this process can vary by state, it is typically handled through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). There are a few ways to check your point total:
Be prepared to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information.
The links in the table below provide information on each state's points system or alternative.
Alabama |
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides information about the driver's license point system on its website. |
|---|---|
Alaska |
The Alaska Department of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles explains its point system in its Driver Manual [PDF]. It is also discussed in this PDF from The Alaska Court System. |
Arizona |
The Arizona Department of Transportation explains its points assessment in the Driver Services section. |
Arkansas |
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration provides information about its point system on its website. |
California |
The California Department of Motor Vehicles provides information on The Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) on its website. |
Colorado |
The Colorado State Driver Handbook [PDF] provides information about driving in the state, including the point assessment for traffic offenses. The Colorado Department of Revenue also has information on Point Suspensions. |
Connecticut |
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles explains its point system in its State of Connecticut Driver's Manual 2023. |
Delaware |
The Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles explains the Delaware Point System in the Driver Services section. |
District of Columbia |
The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles explains its Driver Point System. |
Florida |
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles explains its Points and Points Suspensions. |
Georgia |
Georgia Department of Driver Services explains its point system in the Points and Points Reduction section. |
Hawaii |
Hawaii doesn't implement a driver's license point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). The Hawaii County website explains its Graduated License system. Hawaii Code Title 17 statute explains the law for driver's license suspensions. |
Idaho |
Idaho's Transportation Department explains its Violation Point System [PDF]. |
Illinois |
Illinois Secretary of State website explains its point system in the Illinois Traffic Offenses document [PDF] |
Indiana |
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles provides lists its point system in the Driving Record Points section. |
Iowa |
Iowa Code 761-615.9(1) explains the state's point system and point schedule. |
Kansas |
Kansas doesn't have a driver's license point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). The Kansas Department of Revenue website provides information on Suspended Licenses and Driver Solutions. |
Kentucky |
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website explains the Kentucky Driver Point System [PDF]. |
Louisiana |
Louisiana doesn't have a state driver's license point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). |
Maine |
Maine's Motorist Handbook and Study Guide explains its demerit point system in its Points Schedule section. |
Maryland |
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration explains its traffic offense point system in the Point Accumulation section. |
Massachusetts |
In Massachusetts, the point system is explained in the Safe Driver Insurance Plan [PDF]. |
Michigan |
The State of Michigan website provides an explanation of its point system [PDF]. |
Minnesota |
Minnesota doesn't employ a point system for traffic offenses. Information on driver's license suspensions is found on the Driver and Vehicles Services website. |
Mississippi |
Mississippi doesn't have a driver's license point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). Find information on driver's license suspensions and reinstatements on the state's Driver Service Bureau website. |
Missouri |
The Missouri Department of Revenue explains its point system in the Form 899 [PDF]. |
Montana |
The Montana Secretary of State explains its point system in the Driver Rehabilitation Point System section of the Administrative Rules of Montana. |
Nebraska |
The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles website explains its point system. |
Nevada |
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles explains its demerit point system on its website. |
New Hampshire |
The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website explains its Demerit Points system. |
New Jersey |
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission explains its point schedule. |
New Mexico |
New Mexico Point System Regulations and Schedule |
New York |
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles website provides an explanation of its driver point system. |
North Carolina |
The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website explains its Driver License Points system. |
North Dakota |
The North Dakota Department of Transportation provides its point schedule on its website. |
Ohio |
The Ohio Revised Code contains a section that explains how points are assessed. |
Oklahoma |
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety website answers common questions on its Point System. |
Oregon |
Oregon doesn't currently use a point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). Information on driver's license suspensions, revocations, and cancellations is found on the State of Oregon website. |
Pennsylvania |
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provides a Point System Fact Sheet [PDF]. |
Rhode Island |
Rhode Island currently doesn't use a point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). Find information on driver's license suspensions and reinstatements on the state's Division of Motor Vehicles website. |
South Carolina |
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles provides an explanation of its Points System website. |
South Dakota |
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety website explains the state's Point System. |
Tennessee |
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provides the Schedule of Points Values. |
Texas |
Texas no longer uses a driver's license point system. The Driver Responsibility Program was repealed in 2019. The Texas Department of Public Safety website explains driver's license suspensions for traffic violations. |
Utah |
The Utah Department of Public Safety website provides a section on its point system. |
Vermont |
Title 23, Chapter 25 of Vermont Statutes explains the state's Motor Vehicle Violation Point System. |
Virginia |
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website explains its point system in Moving Violations and Point Assessments. |
Washington |
Washington doesn't currently use a driver's license point system but does participate in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). Find information on suspended licenses on the Washington State Department of Licensing website. |
West Virginia |
The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles explains its point system in the Problem Driver Point System [PDF]. |
Wisconsin |
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation website explains the state's point system. |
Wyoming |
Wyoming doesn't currently have a formal point system for traffic offenses. Each county decides how to penalize traffic violations. The Wyoming Department of Transportation adds each traffic violation to your driving record. |
If your driver's license is at risk because of too many points, you may want to contact a traffic ticket attorney in your area. An attorney experienced with local traffic laws can review your options and even help you challenge a traffic citation. This could help keep your driving privileges and save you a costly fine.
Contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many traffic ticket attorneys offer free consultations.