Driver's License Demerit Points from Tickets

If you receive a ticket for running a stop sign, speeding, or another traffic infraction, you might ask, "Will a conviction add demerit points to my driving record? And how do points affect my license and insurance rates?"

The answers to these questions vary by state, but most states follow a similar framework for assessing demerit points for moving violations.

How Do Traffic Violation Demerit Point Systems Work?

In most states, a moving violation—such as running a stop sign or red light—will add demerit points to your driving record. Basically, point systems are used by the state to penalize repeat traffic offenders. In many states, the state agency that tracks points is called the "Department of Motor Vehicles" or "DMV," but some states have a different name for the agency that regulates motor vehicles and licenses.

A handful of states don't use point systems. However, multiple traffic violations or serious traffic offenses might result in insurance rate increases and a license suspension in these states.

How Many Demerit Points Will Go on Your Driving Record for a Ticket?

Each traffic violation is generally assigned a certain number of points, with more serious offenses having more points than minor offenses. However, the least serious violations don't result in any points in some states.

Will You Get Demerit Points From a Ticket in Another State?

In almost every state that uses a point system, you will get points for a ticket from another state if that offense would result in points in your state. For more information about the consequences of getting a ticket in another state, see What Happens If You Get a Speeding Ticket in Another State?

Demerit Points for Speeding Tickets

With speeding violations, the number of points normally depends on the amount by which the driver exceeded the speed limit. For example, the points for a speeding ticket might be something like:

• 1 point for going up to 10 miles per hour over the limit
• 2 points for going 11 to 25 miles per hour over the limit, and
• 4 points for exceeding the speed limit by at least 26 miles per hour.

In some states, minor speeding violations (just barely over the limit) won't result in any points.

Demerit Points for Repeat Offenses

In many states, the points for a violation increase if the driver has been convicted of the same violation in the recent past.

For example, a distracted driving violation might not carry any points for a first offense but carry one point if the driver has a prior conviction within the last 12 months.

Demerit Points for Accidents, Injuries, and Property Damage

In some states, the points for a violation increase if the violation resulted in an accident that involved injuries or property damage.

For instance, a speeding ticket that would normally result in two points might carry four points if the violation resulted in injuries or property damage.

Zero-Point Violations

Not all traffic violations result in points on your driving record. It's common for less serious traffic offenses to carry no points. Violations that are zero-point offenses in many states include:

• distracted driving (texting and cell phone violations)
• seatbelt tickets, and
• child car seat violations.

However, point systems vary by state. So the above violations might carry points in your state.

How Long Do Traffic Violation Demerit Points Stay on Your Record?

Demerit points don't stay on your record forever—usually, the points for a violation are deleted after one, two, or three years (depending on the state).

Is There a Way to Keep Demerit Points Off Your Record in the First Place?

Don't get tickets. The best way to keep points off your record is to avoid getting traffic tickets. But, of course, that's not always possible.

Beat the ticket in court. If you fight a ticket in traffic court and win, no points will go on your record. Points only result from convictions.

Traffic school. Lots of states allow eligible motorists to avoid demerit points by completing traffic school. If you're worried about points going on your record, traffic school is worth looking into. In some states, you can even do traffic school preemptively and get points credits that will cancel out points you might get in the future.

What Happens When You Build Up Demerit Points on Your Driving Record?

The consequences for accumulating too many points vary by state. However, states typically impose progressively severe penalties as a driver accrues points. For example, in one state, a driver might:

• get a warning letter at six points,
• have to complete a defensive driving course at nine points, and
• face a six-month license suspension at 12 points.

In states that use demerit points, the specifics of how the system works are normally posted on the DMV's website.

Do Demerit Points Affect Insurance Premiums?

Insurance rates tend to rise as a driver acquires points. But it's not exactly because of the points. Insurance companies make rate decisions based on how much risk they believe a driver poses. A person's driving record factors into risk. However, there are lots of other factors—like age and accident history—that insurance companies take into consideration.

How Do I Check the Number of Demerit Points on my Record?

Request your driving record. In most states, you can find out how many points you have by requesting a copy of your driving record from the DMV. However, there's often a fee you'll have to pay for this service.

Call your insurance company. You might also be able to figure out how many points you have on your record by making a call to your insurance company.