In a recent YouGov poll, 47% of drivers rated themselves excellent, while only 1% said they were terrible.
In the eyes of the law, the quality of your driving is based on a points system. Every infraction you’ve ever gotten is tallied up on your license.
Knowing how many points you have is more than helpful information. It can help you stay on the road and out of jail.
Read on to learn about the impact of points on your driver’s license and what to do about them.
What Are Driver’s License Points?
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in most states uses a driver violation points system to track traffic violation penalties. The only states that use other systems are:
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Lousianna
- Mississippi
- Minnesota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Wyoming
- Washington
Depending on the violation, you’ll get a certain number of points on your driver’s license. They range from three for the least serious offenses to six for major ones such as a hit-and-run.
Effects of License Points
The most serious effects of license points include a license suspension and even criminal charges.
They can also lead to financial problems. You may face higher traffic fines and insurance premiums.
Higher Fines
Points tend to stack onto each other.
Once you have one point for a traffic violation, you’ll face a higher fine for the next one. The more you have, the worse the penalties will get.
Higher Insurance Premiums
Florida car insurance rates are among the highest in the US. According to USA Today, the national average is $2,067 a year, but Sunshine State residents pay $4,326 per year.
That number is for drivers with clean records. Each license point is reported to your insurance company, but they also use their own systems to calculate points. Both can increase your insurance premiums.
What if you rack up too many points too quickly? You may also be considered a high-risk driver. That’ll send your premiums through the roof.
License Suspension
Once you get enough points, your license will be suspended. There are also certain infractions that result in immediate suspension, including:
- Speeding to elude arrest
- Drug or alcohol offenses while driving
- Failure to pay traffic violation fines
- Street racing
- Manslaughter or negligent homicide
How long will the suspension last? It depends on how many points you’ve accumulated and how quickly. Lengths include:
- 30 days for 12 points within 12 months
- Three months for 18 points within 18 months
- One year for 24 points within 36 months
Jail Time
Taking away your license due to point accumulation is serious, but taking away your freedom is worse.
You may have to go to jail if you’re a habitual offender with multiple points on your license in a short time. You could also face a manslaughter charge after a traffic accident.
Duration of Points
Points don’t stay on your license forever. Most states allow them to be removed after a period of safe driving. Depending on the severity, they can last for three years.
Being removed from your license doesn’t mean they don’t have an impact. Points may remain on your auto insurance record and affect your insurance rates.
How to Check for Points
Many drivers may be unaware of how many points they currently have on their licenses. It’s even possible to unknowingly drive with a suspended license.
That’s why it’s important to check to see how many points you have. The simplest way is to check the Online Services section of your state DMV website.
You can also go to the local DMV office in person or mail a written request for a copy of your driving record. Have your driver’s license number and identifying information ready.
How to Remove Points On Your Driver’s License
Once you know how many points you have, your next goal should be to remove them. Once they’re gone, they can even be removed from your record.
That starts with proper vehicle maintenance and defensive driving habits. You may also have to go to driving school. If you get points unfairly for an issue that wasn’t your fault, you can challenge the ticket in court.
Keep Up With Vehicle Maintenance
Maintaining your vehicle helps you avoid traffic violation penalties that could lead to points on your license.
It prevents the nonmoving ones you can when you’re not in the car. You won’t have to worry about getting pulled over for a broken taillight.
It also helps you drive more safely. Your vehicle will run better and make it easier to control.
Go to Driving School
One way to reduce driving penalties for certain infractions is to attend traffic school. The classes you’ll need depend on the infractions you received points for.
Removing points from a DUI requires completing an Advanced Driving Improvement (ADI) course and providing proof of FR44 insurance. A basic driver improvement class will help remove points for speeding.
Going to driving school does more than help protect driving privileges. It reduces the cost of your ticket and prevents your insurance rates from going up. Also, the infraction won’t go on your record and the points won’t be applied to your license.
Challenge the Ticket
Points on your driving license may not always be your fault. Perhaps you didn’t realize you were speeding or got back-ended by another car.
Cases involving removing points are often complex, but the right lawyer can help you navigate them. They’ll negotiate with the court and other relevant authorities to prove you weren’t in the wrong. They’ll convince the court to have the unearned points removed from your record.
Find an Expert Lawyer to Help Reduce Points on your Driver’s License
Points on your driver’s license come from any traffic law infractions, from a broken headlight to a DUI. You can avoid and/or remove them with vehicle maintenance or traffic school. You can also go to court to challenge points you’ve received unfairly.
RHINO Lawyers has a team of criminal defense lawyers who are passionate about modernizing the legal industry. That means fast, reliable communication on your terms.
We use the latest technology to work with you and to analyze trends that can help us win your case. Contact us for representation today.
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