How many points can you get on your license?
How many points you can get on your license depends on where you live. Some states allow over 100 points, while other states will suspend your driver’s license after three or four. In many states, it also varies based on age and other factors. To learn more about how many points you can receive on your license or how to get points removed from your license, you can contact your state’s department of motor vehicles.
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The number of points you can get on your license varies from one state to the next
- Receiving points on your license can make your car insurance rates go up
- If you have a lot of traffic tickets, you may need to purchase high-risk auto insurance in your state
Whether you’re a new driver or you’ve been driving for decades, getting pulled over can be extremely stressful. Depending on the infraction, you could face fines, points on your license, and even jail time.
You may be wondering, “how many points can you get on your license?” The answer to that question can vary depending on where you live. Keep reading to learn about traffic tickets, how to get points off your license, and more.
If you’re looking for auto insurance after receiving points on your license, it’s a good idea to shop around. Always compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies in your area to get the best rates.
Start today. Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above to find affordable car insurance companies near you.
How many points can I get on my license?
If you’re wondering how many points you can get on your license before your license is suspended, the answer varies depending on the state you live in.
The table below shows the different U.S. states and how the license points system works.
Points Allowed on a Drivers License by State
| State | Points for Speeding Ticket | Points for Major Offense | Number of Points for License Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Alaska | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| Arizona | 2 | 8 | 8-12 |
| Arkansas | 2 | 8 | 14-17 |
| California | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Colorado | 4 | 12 | 9 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| Delaware | 2 | 6 | 14 |
| Florida | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Georgia | 1 | 6 | 15 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| Illinois | 5 | 55 | 15-44 |
| Indiana | 2 | 8 | 22 |
| Iowa | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Kansas | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kentucky | 3 | 6 | 7-12 |
| Louisiana | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maine | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Maryland | 1 | 12 | 8-11 |
| Massachusettes | 2 | 5 | N/A |
| Michigan | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missouri | 3 | 12 | 8 |
| Montana | 2 | 15 | 15 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 12 | 12 |
| Nevada | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| New Mexico | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| New York | 2 | 11 | 11 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 5 | 12 |
| North Dakota | 1 | 24 | 12 |
| Ohio | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Oregon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Rhode Island | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| South Carolina | 2 | 6 | 12-15 |
| South Dakota | 2 | 10 | 15-22 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 8 | 12 |
| Texas | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Utah | 35 | 80 | 70-200 |
| Vermont | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| Virginia | 3 | 6 | 18 |
| Washington | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Virginia | 2 | 8 | 12-13 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Wyoming | N/A | N/A | N/A |
As you can see, the points allowed on your license vary wildly from one state to the next. So if your question is, “how many points can you get on your license in S.C.,” the answer will be different than if you’re wondering about Iowa.
While a state like California will suspend your driver’s license after four points, Utah will sometimes wait until you’ve accrued nearly 200 points before your license is suspended.
The reason you’ve received a traffic ticket in the first place determines how many points you receive on your license. While this number may not mean that your license is suspended, it could have a serious impact on your car insurance rates.
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How do points on my license affect my auto insurance?
You could be wondering, “how many points do you start with on your license?” The answer is zero.
When you have a driver’s license, you start with a clean slate. You do not accrue points on your license until you get in an accident, run a stop sign, or commit another infraction while behind the wheel.
When this happens, points are added to your driver’s license, and your car insurance company will find out when they run your most recent driving record.
If you receive a speeding ticket, your insurance rates will likely go up by a small to moderate amount. But if you receive a citation for a more serious offense like a DUI, you can expect your car insurance rates to greatly increase.
After you get points on your license, you will probably want to shop around for more affordable car insurance rates. You may even need to look for high-risk auto insurance coverage. Overall, this will depend on the number of points on your license and the reasons for those points.
Certain auto insurance companies offer high-risk coverage for people who have a poor driving history. This type of coverage could help ensure you can drive legally, but it will probably cost more than the average car insurance policy.
What happens if my license is suspended?
If you accrue enough points over time and your license is suspended, you must stop driving until your license is fully reinstated. If you drive on a suspended license, you can receive serious fines and months of jail time.
Once your suspension period is over, you will need to visit your state’s department of motor vehicles to have your license reinstated. This could simply mean paying a fine, or it could mean you will have to take a driver’s test.
Once your license is reinstated, you still cannot drive your vehicle until you have the proper insurance coverage.
If you have a suspended license, you’ll have to jump through some hoops in order to ensure you can legally drive in your state after your suspension period is lifted.
Can I get points removed from my license?
It is possible to have points removed from your driver’s license in some states. For instance, in South Carolina, you can get up to four points removed from your license by taking a driver’s course.
Check with your department of motor vehicles to see what options you have to lower the points on your license and ensure you don’t have to face a license suspension. Be sure to shop around for car insurance coverage regardless of your driving history.
You can find great rates on car insurance by shopping online and comparing rates from multiple companies at once. In addition, you can use our free quote tool below to start your online research today and find cheap car insurance with the coverage you need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are license points?
License points, also known as demerit points or penalty points, are a system used by many jurisdictions to track and penalize driving offenses. Each offense committed by a driver can result in a specific number of points being added to their driving record.
How many points can you get on your license?
The number of points that can be accumulated on a driver’s license varies depending on the jurisdiction and the specific driving offense committed. Typically, more severe offenses result in a higher number of points. The exact point system and the number of points assigned for each offense are determined by the local department of motor vehicles or equivalent regulatory body.
What happens if you accumulate too many points on your license?
When a driver accumulates a certain number of points on their license within a specified timeframe, consequences may follow. These consequences can include fines, license suspension or revocation, mandatory driver education or training programs, increased insurance premiums, or even imprisonment in extreme cases. The specific penalties for accumulating points vary by jurisdiction.
Do points on your license expire?
Again, the rules regarding the expiration of points on a driver’s license depend on the jurisdiction. In some places, points may remain on the license for a specific period, typically ranging from one to three years, after which they will be removed. However, it is important to note that even if points expire, the driving record might still reflect past offenses, which could affect insurance rates or other driving-related matters.
Can you reduce or remove points from your license?
Some jurisdictions offer options for reducing or removing points from a driver’s license. This can be achieved by attending defensive driving courses, completing driver improvement programs, or maintaining a clean driving record for a certain period. However, the availability and specific requirements for point reduction or removal programs vary by jurisdiction.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.