You can learn how many points are on your license by contacting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or accessing your driving record online.
You become a negligent and reckless driver when you have too many points on your license. Your license will get suspended for six months when you obtain four points in one year, six points in two years, and eight points in three years.
If you are interested in learning more about driver’s license points or are in need of legal help after an accident, contact our Los Angeles car accident lawyers.
What Are the Types of Violations for License Points?
Two types of motor vehicle violations can impact your driving record and driver’s license: a moving violation and a non-moving violation.
Moving Violations
A moving violation is when traffic laws are broken while your car is in motion, and these typically result in demerit points through the point system. Some examples of moving violations that will give you driver violation points include:
- Speeding convictions
- Running a red light
- Causing an accident due to reckless driving
- DUI
- Driving while your license is suspended
These violations can lead to Point Assessments and even Driver’s License Suspension if they accumulate.
Non-Moving Violations
The second type of violation is non-moving, which pertains to broken motor vehicle violations while your car is stationary. While non-moving violations don’t put points on your license, they still appear in your driving history and DMV records, which can affect your driving status or vehicle registration database.
Some examples of non-moving violations include:
- Parking tickets
- Fix-it tickets (needing to repair car equipment like a broken light)
- Having no front plate
- Improper auto insurance
- Improper vehicle registration
Some violations relate to cell phones and texting. If you receive two violations for this within three years, you will have a point added to your license. A first-time cell phone violation is generally treated as a warning, but it’s still documented in your driver’s license history.
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What Are Examples of One-Point vs. Two-Point Violations?
The difference between one-point and two-point violations has to do with the severity of the offense. Here’s a look at both:
One-Point Violations
One-point violations are considered less severe but still negatively impact your driving record and may influence insurance rates or result in driver improvement programs. You will receive one point if you commit any of the following:
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Driving in the bicycle lane
- Making an unauthorized U-turn
- Making an unsafe lane change
- Failing to stop at a railroad crossing
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle
- Causing a traffic accident
- Not paying an out-of-state traffic ticket
Two-Point Violations
Two-point violations are serious and can quickly lead to license suspension, especially for those with a probationary or commercial driver’s license. You will receive two points for:
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving over 100mph
- Performing a hit-and-run with injury and/or property damage
- Driving on the wrong side of the highway
- Transporting illegal explosives
- Driving while a license is suspended or revoked
These offenses may also require mandatory enrollment in a defensive driving course or driver Improvement program to restore safe driving points and reduce the risk of suspension. Keep in mind that your driving record abstract might potentially also include entries from vehicle title records, crash reports, and details about your vehicle registration record.
Understanding the points and point suspension system and how it affects your license type is crucial for every driver. If you’re concerned about your driving status, consider reviewing your DMV records or enrolling in a defensive driving program to protect your privileges while operating a vehicle.
Can I Still Get Points if I Pay Off My Ticket?
There is a common misconception that if you pay off your traffic violation ticket, you will be in the clear and no longer receive a point on your driver’s license. This is not true because if you pay off the ticket, you are essentially admitting guilt. Therefore, yes, you will still receive a point on your license.
To avoid putting a point on your license, which can increase your auto insurance and potentially risk your privilege to have a license, it would be wise to actually not pay off the ticket. Instead, try fighting the traffic violation ticket in court or opt for attending a traffic school program if there is one. You should only pay off the ticket as a last resort.
Can I Hide Points on My License?
Sometimes, yes. Masking means your points are hidden from the public and your insurance company. By hiding your points, you can save yourself from having to pay sky-high insurance rates and possibly losing a job due to background checks.
One form of masking is when you decide not to pay a traffic violation ticket and complete the California DMV-approved traffic school program instead. By successfully completing this, your points will only be visible to a court unless you commit another violation within 18 months. Then, your masked points are no longer hidden.
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What if I Have Too Many Points?
Once you receive the maximum amount of points on your license within a certain time period, your license will be either suspended or revoked by the California DMV.
Once again, the conditions for this are four points in one year, six points in two years, and eight points in three years. You can mask or hide points, but you cannot have your points removed before the time period is up.
Point Duration Depends on the Offense
The length of time that a point will remain on your license solely depends on the severity of the offense. This can range from 3 to 13 years. If you have four or more points against you in the span of one year, you risk having your license suspended.
A one-point traffic ticket for speeding will stay on your license for three years, as it is a less severe crime. A two-point traffic violation, such as for reckless driving, will remain on your license for at least seven years because it is a more severe crime than speeding.
A two-point traffic violation for a DUI can remain on your license for 13 years since it is a very serious crime that causes injury, property damage, and even fatality.
Contact the Experienced Car Accident Team at Simmrin Law Group to Learn More
Now you know how to find the answer to, “How many points are on my license?” Knowing how many points are on your license is essential for protecting your driving privileges, avoiding higher insurance rates, and addressing any potential issues before they lead to serious consequences.
For more information, reach out to Simmrin Law Group. Our lawyers have decades of experience between us, and we can help with your driver’s license concerns.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form