How To Get Points Off My Driver's License

Getting convicted for speeding or violating another driving regulation will most assuredly lead to the DMV adding points to your driving record. Getting above 15 points in 24 months will prompt traffic regulating authorities to suspend your license for a certain period.

It’s only logical to wonder how long it takes for points to get taken off your record officially. In most states, driving points aren’t removed from a driver’s point total until two years after each one is issued. In other words, if you receive multiple points at different intervals, some will be taken off sooner than others.

What Are Driver’s License Points?

Having a driver’s license grants you legal authority to drive. However, you are required by law to adhere to relevant traffic regulations. To keep road users in check, traffic regulating bodies of different states assign points to the records of drivers who violate traffic rules.

Insurance companies also have systems that keep track of all infractions made by policyholders. Just as point accumulation can lead to license suspension, insurance companies can also increase their policyholders’ premiums with too many points.

A State-by-State Guide To Getting Points Off Your Driver’s License

Here’s a rundown of the point management systems of the different states in the US to help you determine whether or not you’re eligible for a reduction of points on your license

Colorado

Currently, the state of Colorado doesn’t utilize a point reduction system. This means that the only possible solution for getting your license suspended due to excessive point accumulation is if sufficient evidence is provided to the traffic court to show a positive change in driving behavior.

Alaska

If you have an Alaskan driver’s license, you are eligible for a point reduction in the state. By completing a defensive driving course, the program allows drivers to remove two negative driving points from their records. Drivers seeking point reduction in Alaska must enroll in defensive driving courses once a year, otherwise they might have their license suspended.

As soon as you successfully complete your driving courses, your assigned course provider will inform the DMV of your current progress, leading to a 2-point deduction from your overall license points.

Delaware

License holders in Delaware who hope to reduce their license points are given the option of taking defensive driving courses. Completing the defensive driving course makes them eligible for a 3-point deduction. Note that drivers who do not complete the course for whatever reason aren’t at all eligible for this point deduction.

Attempting to retake the defensive driving course in the same year with the hopes of reducing one’s driving points is not a viable option, as drivers are only permitted to take a refresher course after three years.

Alabama

Currently, there is no point reduction program in the state of Alabama. Instead, points assigned for traffic convictions will no longer count for suspension after two years. Although the removed points will immediately cease to count for suspension purposes, they will remain on the driver’s record.

Iowa

Iowa doesn’t utilize a point reduction program. However, accumulated points for earlier violations are usually taken off 12 months precisely after the time they were issued. Another 12 months will be required to take points off your license for future violations

Arizona

Getting convicted for a traffic violation in Arizona and forfeiting bail will automatically lead to points on your permanent driving record. On the other hand, if you were given a traffic ticket and somehow managed to avoid getting convicted, you can take a defensive driving course if you want to avoid getting points on your record.

California

Since California doesn’t use a point reduction program, traffic violators should expect their negative driving points to remain on their records for 36 months. The duration can be much longer than the stated period depending on the severity of the violation.

California drivers with licenses who have been apprehended for traffic violations but are yet to be convicted can choose to take defensive driving classes or opt to attend driving school to conceal their points from their insurance companies. Although these options are only viable if the individuals in question haven’t used these methods in the past 18 months.

Arkansas

Currently, Arkansas doesn’t use a point reduction system, which means all points against your license won’t be accessible by your insurance company for 3 years. However, employers don’t face such limitations, which can affect your job prospects.

Connecticut

Connecticut has no known program for deducting points from drivers’ records. As such, all points accumulated by drivers will remain on their records for an entire year, starting from the date they were each assigned.

Florida

Per Florida’s point system, licensed Florida drivers who are yet to be convicted for their traffic offenses may elect to enroll in a basic driver improvement course or an online traffic school to avoid being assigned negative points on their driving records.

If you get a Florida traffic ticket, you may be asked to attend the Florida traffic school to learn the state’s rules and probably points reduction.

Georgia

Although Georgia doesn’t operate a DMV point system, licensed drivers in the state are free to petition the driver improvement services to deduct a few points from their records. However, they can only do so once in 5 years, and only 7 points can be deducted at a time.

To be eligible for the point reduction program in Georgia, you must complete an approved driver’s improvement course, after which proof of your completion must be presented to the state’s driver improvement services.

Hawaii

The point system that was once used in Hawaii for keeping track of traffic violations is no longer in effect due to the recent state legislature. While drivers in Hawaii no longer have to concern themselves about getting points on their records when they commit traffic offenses, they can, however, face fines from traffic tickets, suspension of driving privileges, and other legal repercussions if they are convicted of moving violations.

Illinois

The state of Illinois doesn’t depend on any point reduction program. Therefore, points assigned for moving violations are only stricken off after a 4 to 5-year period.

Indiana

Licensed drivers in the state of Indiana may request to enroll in a driver safety program to get a 4-point reduction on their driving records. If you ever choose to use this point reduction method, remember that you can only do so once every three years.

Kansas

Like many other states, Kansas does not track traffic violations using a point system. However, they keep records of previous driving convictions, no matter how far back. Subsequent and serious traffic violations are bound to result in license suspension or revocation.

Aside from state penalties, insurance companies tend to increase the premium rates of policyholders convicted of traffic offenses. The only way to be eligible for an insurance discount in such an instance is to take a defensive driving course.

Traffic Violations That Earn Drivers The Most Points

The DMV driver violation system was specifically created to assess and discourage reckless driving behaviors. Not all traffic violations are typically assigned the same number of points, and getting too many driving points on one’s record within 18 months will attract certain penalties.

Here’s a quick rundown of how points are largely assigned:

3 points will be assigned for driving 1-10 MPH over the posted limit; Driving 11-20 MPH over the posted limit will result in 4 points 6 points are assigned to drivers for driving 21-30 MPH; 8 points for driving 31-40 MPH 11 points are issued to drivers who go above 40 MPH. 5 points are assigned for reckless driving Refusing to stop for a school bus will result in 5 points, you can also receive points for passing a stopped school bus. Railroad crossing violations attract 5 negative points Using a cellphone or operating an electronic device will result in 5 points Tailgating - 4 points Refusing to yield right-of-way attracts 3 points Ignoring stop signs or a traffic control device will result in 3 points 3 points for lane changes and illegal U-turn

Most traffic offenses yield fewer points than driving over 21 miles per hour past the specified speed limit. However, if not kept in check, driving points tend to increase as a driver’s traffic citation number increases. This is why it’s essential to drive safely.

Things You Should Know About License Points

Most US states utilize point management systems for assessing driver behavior and dealing with traffic violations. Here are some other things you should know about license points:

1. Points Vary Depending On The Severity Of The Offense

License point systems make it much easier for law enforcement authorities and insurance companies to identify reckless drivers. Getting a traffic ticket is usually accompanied by negative points to one’s clean driving record the same way other on-road offenses attract points. The number of points on your license varies by state and the severity of the offense.

2. Not All State’s Assign Points

Not all states are inclined to assign points for moving violations. A few examples of states that don’t use a point system to keep track of driving infractions are as follows:

• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Washington
• Wyoming

While the above states do not necessarily use a point count system for traffic violations, they do, however, issue speeding tickets and penalize dangerous driving behavior just as severely as other states.

3. There Are Traffic Violations That Do Not Incur Points

Not all traffic violations lead to points on a driver’s license. For instance, depending on the state you’re in, parking violations might not result in added negligent operator points.

Although you can receive tickets for minor traffic offenses, you have no option but to pay the ticket. Note that getting driving tickets will likely increase your insurance rates.

4. Too Many Points Can Result In License Suspension

Typically, to get points on your record, you must have been convicted of a traffic violation. Getting excessive points on your record over a short duration will lead to the DMV temporarily suspending your license. However, the total amount of points that lead to license suspension depends on the state the offense is committed.

5. Your License Can Be Revoked If You Commit A Serious Traffic Violation

Some traffic infractions are considered to be more severe than others. Such violations are usually accompanied by more points assessed against one’s record. Rather than suspension or taking a driver improvement course, your license can be revoked if you are convicted of committing a severe road violation. You might also have to face a traffic court if the traffic citation warrants a more severe penalty.

6. Many Insurance Companies Tend To Have Their Own Point Accumulation Systems

Auto insurance companies often use proprietary point systems for allocating points to different driving infractions.

Although getting points from your chosen insurance company won’t cause you to lose your license, it can cause your auto insurance rates to increase drastically. Your insurance policy can also be canceled if you have an unreasonably high amount of points on your driving record.

Some insurance companies may be more lenient with their policies than others regarding assigning points. Taking part in an insurance reduction program or an approved course to foster a good driving record can also help lower your insurance premiums.

7. It’s Possible To Get The Point Reduction After Taking A Defensive Driving Course Or Going To Traffic School

Different states have their own points reduction time frame. While the deducted points no longer count toward license suspension, they aren’t erased from state records.

You can reduce your point count by taking an online traffic school course or after completing a safety course. In the state of New York, for instance, drivers can get a four-point reduction if they complete an online course or a safe driving course.

Final Words

In case you aren’t sure of the total points on your driving record, you can always request a driving history report. A few other ways to find out how many points you’ve managed to rack up are by visiting the DMV or appropriate agency in your state in person, or by inquiring through the respective website.