Traffic Ticket Points and How They Affect You 

Operating a motor vehicle is a big responsibility. When your failure to obey traffic laws leads to a traffic offense, you can get a traffic ticket and be subject to other long-term consequences. If you get a ticket, whether it’s for exceeding the speed limit, reckless driving, or any other type of moving violation, you know that you have to pay the fine for the traffic violation. However, you might not know how the infraction impacts your insurance premiums or driving privileges.

Continue reading to learn how the traffic ticket point system affects drivers, how points are assigned for different traffic violations, and the effect on insurance rates and driving privileges. While traffic points are a serious matter that should be avoided, there are ways you can reduce and mitigate them. If you need legal advice about your rights regarding a traffic ticket or license suspension, speak with an experienced traffic violation attorney.

Introduction to Traffic Ticket Points

Your driving history matters. Traffic tickets on your driving record add up and can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. If you receive a conviction for a traffic citation, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state where you were convicted records it on your driving record. If you were driving out of state, the conviction would be sent to the state where you live. In addition to paying a fine, you may have driver’s license points added to your driving record.

How Traffic Points Are Assigned

The law assigns point values based on the particular citation. Each citation has a number of points assigned to it. For example, a speeding ticket may be a two-point violation, while driving with a license suspension or running a red light may be assigned eight points. The citation is assigned points based on its severity.

Some of the more common citations include the following:

• Failure to wear a seat belt
• 1-15 mph over the speed limit
• 16-25 mph over the speed limit
• 26+ mph over the speed limit
• Failure to use headlights
• No brake or signal lights
• Failure to stop at a stop sign
• Failure to yield to a moving emergency vehicle
• Improper U-turn
• Following too closely
• Failure to stop for a stopped school bus
• Speeding in a school zone
• Speed contest on the road or highway racing
• Hit and run
• Driving while your license is suspended

You could get your license suspended depending on how many points you accumulate within a certain period.

Impact of Points on Driving Record

Points on your driving record can lead to several consequences. For example, in New York State, if you accumulate 11 points for traffic convictions within 18 months, you may receive a revocation or suspension by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. The 18-month period begins from the day of the violation. Under a new New York law, traffic convictions remain on your record for up to 25 years.

In addition to the citation, penalty, or fine the government imposes on you, insurance companies also pay close attention to your DMV driving record. Your car insurance company reviews your driving record for DMV points to determine your insurance rates at renewal or when you purchase auto insurance. The infractions can increase your rates for three years due to the insurance points assigned to the convictions.

Managing and Reducing Points

If you receive a conviction for a traffic violation and the DMV assesses points, you can take courses to get points credits. Point credits will reduce the number of points on your record. Your state may offer classes for driver safety or defensive driving courses that will qualify you to receive point credits. It’s worth educating yourself to see if you can do anything to reduce the points or contest the traffic citation before you’re assigned points.

Sometimes, the DMV will require you to take a driving course, but you will still be able to receive a point credit even if the course was a requirement. However, if you are required to take a course and fail to complete it on time, the DMV can suspend your driving privileges until you complete the course.

Legal Options and Advice

If you have questions about traffic ticket points and how they affect your situation, contact an experienced traffic violation attorney. They can provide legal advice and explain your legal rights when you face a traffic violation.