How many points can you get on your license before it’s suspended?
If you’ve been wondering how many points you can get on your license before it’s suspended, the answer depends on your state. Most states use a point system to track traffic violations like speeding, reckless driving, and DUIs.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 23, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 23, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our car insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Most states have a point system to keep track of traffic violations and driving infractions
- States use their own laws to determine how many points you earn per infraction, how long they stay on your record, and when your license should be suspended
- Insurance companies don’t use your point total to determine your rates, but they do look at your DMV driving history
Although we all wish we could avoid them, mistakes happen. From simple mistakes to ones that end in tragedy, all it takes is a few seconds of distraction to make a blunder while driving. It happens to nearly everyone, but even the most innocent of mistakes can have serious consequences.
Even minor driving errors like light speeding or a rolling stop can put points on your license. The DMV might suspend your license if you accumulate too many points.
There are multiple other reasons to avoid points on your license, too. For example, the addition of even a single point can make the price of your insurance skyrocket. Too many points on your record might require you to get high-risk car insurance, which typically costs more.
So, how many points can you get on your license before it’s suspended? Read more to learn about state laws regarding points. You can also find information if you have points on your record and you want to know about companies that will work with you.
What is the driver’s license point system?
Most states use a point system to keep track of your traffic violations. Your state’s DMV will add specified points to your license for each incident you’re involved in. Most minor violations are worth a few points, while serious incidents can be worth more than ten.
In states that use a point system, you can’t accumulate an infinite number of points. Each state has a specific limit to the number of points you can get on your license in a set period before losing it. The state also specifies the length of time points stay on your license.
Most states don’t assign points for parking tickets, so you don’t have to worry about losing your license or your insurance going up if you get a parking fine. However, you can lose your license if you refuse to pay parking tickets.
While most states limit points to events like speeding, reckless driving, and running red lights, some states are a little stricter. For example, New York will assign you points if you get caught without a seatbelt. More states are introducing points for cell phone use while driving.
Are you wondering, “How many points do I have on my license to start?” The good news is that you start with zero points. However, you should be extra careful as a newly licensed driver since most states have stricter point limitations for new drivers.
Getting too many points on your license leads to severe consequences. Consider the following reasons as motivation to avoid traffic incidents.
- Suspension or revocation of your license
- Harsher sentences in future traffic court appointments
- A high-risk designation with insurance companies
Most states use a point system, but nine don’t. In those states, the number and severity of violations are used to calculate when a license should be suspended.
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How many points can you get on your license before it’s suspended?
Any state with a point system clearly defines how many points you can get before your license is suspended. You’ll need to check your state to learn how many points equals a license suspension.
For more information about your state, check the graph below.
| State | Points for minor violation | Points for major violation | Points for suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | 6 | At least 12 points in 2 years |
| Alaska | 2 | 10 | 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months |
| Arizona | 2 | 8 | 8 points in 12 months |
| Arkansas | 2 | 8 | 14 points total |
| California | 1 | 2 | 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months |
| Colorado | 4 | 12 | 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months |
| Connecticut | 1 | 5 | 10 points in 24 months |
| Delaware | 2 | 6 | 14 points in 24 months |
| Florida | 3 | 6 | 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months |
| Georgia | 1 | 6 | 15 points in 24 months |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | 1 | 4 | 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months |
| Illinois | 5 | 55 | Varies by violations |
| Indiana | 2 | 8 | Varies by violation |
| Iowa | 2 | 6 | Varies by violation |
| Kansas | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kentucky | 3 | 6 | 12 points in 24 months |
| Louisiana | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maine | 2 | 8 | 12 points in 12 months |
| Maryland | 1 | 12 | 8 points in 24 months |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 5 | Varies by violation |
| Michigan | 2 | 6 | 12 points in 24 months |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missouri | 3 | 12 | 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months |
| Montana | 2 | 15 | Varies by violation |
| Nebraska | 1 | 12 | 12 points in 24 months |
| Nevada | 1 | 8 | 12 points in 12 months |
| New Hampshire | 2 | 6 | 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months |
| New Jersey | 2 | 8 | 12 points on record |
| New Mexico | 2 | 8 | 7 points in 12 months |
| New York | 2 | 11 | 11 points in 18 months |
| North Carolina | 1 | 5 | 12 points in 26 months |
| North Dakota | 1 | 24 | 12 points on record |
| Ohio | 2 | 6 | 12 points in 24 months |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | 10 points in 60 months |
| Oregon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 5 | 6 points on record two times consecutively |
| Rhode Island | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| South Carolina | 2 | 6 | 12 points in 12 months |
| South Dakota | 2 | 10 | 15 points in 12 months or 22 points in 24 months |
| Tennessee | 1 | 8 | 12 points in 12 months |
| Texas | 2 | 3 | 6 points in 36 months |
| Utah | 35 | 80 | 200 points in 36 months |
| Vermont | 2 | 8 | 10 points in 24 months |
| Virginia | 3 | 6 | 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months |
| Washington | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Virginia | 2 | 8 | 12 point |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 6 | 12 points in 12 months |
| Wyoming | N/A | N/A | N/A |
You should do everything you can to avoid gaining points on your license, but you won’t be punished forever for making mistakes. Points eventually fall off your license, though the speed they disappear at depends on the state.
| State | Time to remove points |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years |
| Alaska | 2 points every 12 months you go without conviction |
| Arizona | 1 year |
| Arkansas | 3 years |
| California | 3 years for minor violations and 10 years for major ones |
| Colorado | Points don't expire |
| Connecticut | 2 years |
| Delaware | Points lose half value after 1 year |
| Florida | 5 years |
| Georgia | 2 years |
| Hawaii | N/A |
| Idaho | 3 years |
| Illinois | 4 to 5 years for minor violations and 7 years for major ones |
| Indiana | 2 years |
| Iowa | 5 years for minor violations and 12 years for a DUI |
| Kansas | N/A |
| Kentucky | 2 years |
| Louisiana | N/A |
| Maine | 1 year |
| Maryland | 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 6 years |
| Michigan | 2 years |
| Minnesota | N/A |
| Mississippi | N/A |
| Missouri | 3 years |
| Montana | 3 years |
| Nebraska | 5 years |
| Nevada | 1 year |
| New Hampshire | 3 years |
| New Jersey | 3 points every year without violations |
| New Mexico | 1 year |
| New York | 18 months |
| North Carolina | 3 years |
| North Dakota | 1 point every 3 months without violation |
| Ohio | 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 2 points every 12 months without violation, all points after 3 years |
| Oregon | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | 3 points every 12 months |
| Rhode Island | N/A |
| South Carolina | Half value after 1 year, fully removed after 2 years |
| South Dakota | Depends on violation |
| Tennessee | 2 years |
| Texas | 3 years |
| Utah | 3 years |
| Vermont | 2 years |
| Virginia | 2 years |
| Washington | N/A |
| West Virginia | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | Depends on violation |
| Wyoming | N/A |
You should keep in mind that the time points and infractions stay on your license are usually different. For example, it takes five years for points to expire in Florida, but a DUI will remain on your record for 75 years.
Can you remove points from your license?
Once again, the ability to remove points from your license depends on the state you live in. Some states make you wait, while others have point-reduction programs you can participate in.
If your state does offer a point-reduction program, you’ll probably need to find a state-approved defensive driving class. You’ll be responsible for the price of the course, and you won’t be able to take it repeatedly.
If you’re wondering, “How many points are on my license?” you can visit your state’s DMV page to get more information. From there, you can also learn more about your state’s point-reduction program.
How do points affect your insurance rates?
For the most part, insurance companies don’t use the number of points on your license to determine how much your insurance will cost. However, companies look at the same incidents that add points to your license.
That means that the speeding tickets, accidents, and other traffic violations that add points to your license increase the cost of your insurance rates at the same time.
Each insurance company will treat traffic violations differently, but you can get an idea of how much your rates will go up by looking at national averages.
| Violation | Percentage increase on insurance rates |
|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | 23% |
| DUI | 74% |
| Driving with a suspended license | 62% |
| Hit and run | 82% |
| Running a red light | 23% |
| Reckless driving | 70% |
| Improper passing | 23% |
| Tailgating | 23% |
| Cell phone violation | 19% |
| At-fault accident | 42% |
To get affordable rates on your insurance, you must avoid getting points on your license. However, people with points on their license need insurance to drive, and there are plenty of high-risk insurance companies that will work with you to get you the coverage you need.
Find the Best Car Insurance for You
While you should always avoid adding points to your record, mistakes happen. However, if you’ve made a few mistakes and have points on your license, you can still find high-risk insurance to keep you driving.
So, how many points can you get on your license before your insurance rates go up? You can save money on your insurance by comparing prices with as many companies as possible.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Case Studies: Exploring License Suspension and Insurance Consequences
Case Study 1: John’s License Suspension
John, a resident of California, accumulated 12 points on his driver’s license within a one-year period. The points were a result of various traffic violations, including speeding, running red lights, and reckless driving.
According to California state laws, reaching the threshold of 12 points leads to an automatic license suspension. As a consequence, John had to cease driving for a specified period and fulfill certain requirements, such as completing a defensive driving course, to reinstate his license.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Insurance Premium Increase
Sarah, a driver in New York, received multiple traffic tickets over the course of a year. Her violations included speeding, running a stop sign, and driving without a seatbelt. Each violation added points to her license, and her total accumulated points reached 8.
As a result, Sarah’s insurance premium skyrocketed due to the increased risk she represented to the insurance company. She had to pay significantly more for her car insurance coverage until the points dropped off her license after a specified period.
Case Study 3: Mike’s High-Risk Insurance Requirement
Mike, a new driver in Florida, made several driving errors within a short period of time. These errors included causing an accident, driving under the influence (DUI), and exceeding the speed limit. As a new driver, Mike was subject to stricter point limitations.
He accumulated 9 points on his license, which exceeded the limit set for new drivers in Florida. Consequently, Mike was required to obtain high-risk car insurance, which came with a higher premium compared to standard insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points can you get on your license before it’s suspended?
The number of points you can accumulate on your driver’s license before it is suspended varies depending on the state or country you are in. In the United States, for example, each state has its own set of laws and regulations regarding driver’s license suspensions. In some states, your license may be suspended if you accumulate as few as six points within a year, while in other states, you may be allowed to accumulate up to 12 points before your license is suspended. Therefore, to determine the specific number of points that can lead to a license suspension in your state, you will need to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent government agency.
What is the driver’s license point system?
Most states use a point system to keep track of your traffic violations. Your state’s DMV will add specified points to your license for each incident you’re involved in. Most minor violations are worth a few points, while serious incidents can be worth more than ten.
What happens if you accumulate too many points on your license?
Getting too many points on your license leads to severe consequences, such as suspension of your license, increase in the price of your insurance, and requirement to get high-risk car insurance.
Do all states use the point system?
No, nine states do not use a point system. In those states, the number and severity of violations are used to calculate when a license should be suspended.
Do parking tickets count towards license points?
Most states don’t assign points for parking tickets, so you don’t have to worry about losing your license or your insurance going up if you get a parking fine. However, you can lose your license if you refuse to pay parking tickets.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.