Where to check your Texas driver license points

You can check your driver license points through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website, by phone, or in person at a DPS office. The online method is fastest — you go to the DPS website, enter your driver license number and date of birth, and see your current point total within seconds. If you prefer to call, the DPS Customer Service line can tell you your points over the phone. You can also walk into any DPS office with your license and ask for a driving record printout, which shows your points and any violations on your record.

The points you see are the ones the state has recorded based on traffic violations. Texas uses a point system where different violations carry different point values — a minor speeding ticket might be 3 points, while reckless driving is 6 points. The total matters because once you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, the state can suspend your license.

Key Takeaways

  • The Texas DPS website lets you check your points when ready by entering your driver license number and date of birth.
  • You can also call DPS Customer Service or visit a local DPS office in person to request your driving record and point total.
  • Texas assigns points based on traffic violations, and reaching 12 points in 12 months can trigger a license suspension.
  • Your point total resets after three years without a violation, so older tickets no longer count toward the 12-point threshold.

Using the DPS online driving record system

Go to the Texas DPS website and look for the "Driving Record" or "Check Your Driving Record" section. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Enter these details and the system will pull up your record, which includes every traffic violation on file and the points assigned to each one. The record shows the violation date, the type of violation, and the points you received.

This online record is the same one insurance companies and employers can see when they request your driving history, so it is worth checking regularly to catch any errors. If you spot a violation you do not recognize or believe was resolved incorrectly, you can dispute it through the DPS or contact the court where the ticket was issued.

What different violations cost in points

Texas assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A speeding ticket is typically 3 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal or stop sign is 3 points. Unsafe lane change is 3 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. At-fault accidents are usually 3 points if no one was injured, but can be higher if there was injury or property damage.

The point value does not change based on how fast you were going or other circumstances — the violation type determines the points. A ticket for going 5 miles over the speed limit and one for going 25 miles over both count as 3 points. This is why the total number of violations matters more than the severity of any single one.

How the 12-month rolling window works

Texas counts points within a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year. This means the state looks back 12 months from today and adds up all the points from violations that occurred during that window. If you got a ticket 13 months ago, it no longer counts toward your current total. If you got one 11 months ago, it still counts.

Once you reach 12 points in any 12-month period, the DPS will send you a notice that your license is suspended. The suspension typically lasts 60 days for a first offense, but can be longer if you have had suspensions before. The key to avoiding suspension is spacing out violations so that older ones fall outside the 12-month window before you accumulate new ones.

How long violations stay on your record

Violations remain on your driving record for three years from the date of the violation. After three years, they stop counting toward your point total, but they do not disappear from your record entirely — they stay there for insurance and employment purposes. This three-year window is separate from the 12-month rolling window used for suspension. A violation from two years ago still counts toward your 12-month total, but a violation from three years and one day ago does not.

Understanding this timing can help you plan. If you are close to 12 points and have an older violation approaching its three-year mark, you know that once it passes three years, your point total will drop automatically.

Checking your record by phone or in person

To check your points by phone, call the Texas DPS at 1-888-589-6556. Have your driver license number and date of birth ready. A representative will look up your record and tell you your current point total and any violations on file. This method takes a few minutes but does not require internet access.

You can also visit a DPS office in person. Bring your driver license and ask for a copy of your driving record. The staff will print it out for you, usually at no cost. This gives you a physical copy you can keep, and you can ask questions about any violations you do not understand. DPS offices are located in most Texas cities and counties.

What to do if you find an error on your record

If your driving record shows a violation you believe is wrong — perhaps a ticket you paid and had dismissed, or one that was not yours — you can dispute it. Start by contacting the court that issued the ticket. Bring proof that the ticket was dismissed, paid and resolved, or that you were not the driver. The court can request that the violation be removed from your record.

You can also contact the DPS directly with documentation of the error. Send a letter to the DPS Driver License Division with copies of court documents showing the violation was dismissed or resolved. The DPS will investigate and update your record if the error is confirmed. This process can take several weeks, so start it as soon as you notice the mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my driver license points?

Check your points at least once a year, or whenever you receive a traffic ticket. If you are approaching 12 points, check monthly so you know exactly where you stand. Regular checks help you catch errors early and understand how close you are to a suspension.

Will checking my points affect my insurance rates?

No. Checking your own driving record does not affect your insurance. Insurance companies only see your record when they request it directly from the DPS, usually when you first insure a vehicle or renew your policy. Your own inquiry has no impact on your rates.

Can I remove points from my license by taking a defensive driving course?

Yes, in some cases. Texas allows you to take an approved defensive driving course to reduce points on your record, but only once every 12 months and only if you have not taken one in the past three years. The course removes up to 3 points. You must complete the course before your suspension takes effect to prevent it.

What happens if I get suspended — can I drive at all?

No. A license suspension means you cannot legally drive for the duration of the suspension. Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in arrest. You can request an occupational license in some cases, which allows you to drive to work or school, but you must petition the court for it.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Texas suspension?

Yes. Texas counts violations from other states toward your 12-point total through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you get a ticket in another state, it will appear on your Texas driving record and count the same as a Texas violation would.