Texas tracks violations through a points system, and accumulating too many points can suspend your license

Texas uses a Driver Responsibility Program that assigns points to your driving record when you receive certain traffic citations. The state does not suspend your license based on points alone — instead, it suspends your license if you fail to pay surcharges that the state assesses after you accumulate points. This distinction matters: you can have points on your record and keep driving, but if you ignore the financial obligation tied to those points, your license will be suspended.

The system works like this: when you are convicted of or receive a ticket for certain violations, points are added to your record. Once you hit a threshold (typically 6 points in a 36-month period for drivers under 25, or 4 points for drivers 25 and older), the state sends you a notice of surcharge. If you do not pay that surcharge within a set timeframe, your license is suspended. The surcharge is separate from any fine you paid to the court.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas assigns points for violations like speeding, at-fault accidents, and unsafe lane changes, but points alone do not suspend your license.
  • Once you accumulate 4 or 6 points (depending on your age), the state assesses a surcharge that you must pay to keep your license active.
  • Surcharges typically range from $100 to $300 per year, depending on the violation, and must be paid within 30 days of the notice.
  • Your driving record points stay on file for 36 months from the date of conviction, and the state counts all points within that window.
  • If you do not pay the surcharge, your license is suspended, and you cannot reinstate it without paying the full amount owed plus a reinstatement fee.

Which violations add points to your Texas record

Not every traffic ticket results in points. Texas assigns points only for moving violations — tickets for things you did while driving, not parking or equipment violations. Common violations that carry points include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, unsafe lane changes, at-fault accidents, driving without a valid license, and reckless driving.

Most moving violations carry 2 or 3 points. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is typically 1 point; speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points; speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit is 3 points. At-fault accidents usually result in 3 points. Violations like driving without a valid license or reckless driving can carry 2 to 3 points depending on the circumstances.

If you receive a ticket and are unsure whether it carries points, you can check your driving record through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or request a copy by mail. Your record will show all violations from the past three years and their point values.

How the surcharge system works once you hit the point threshold

The moment your record reaches the threshold — 4 points if you are 25 or older, 6 points if you are under 25 — the state calculates a surcharge based on the violations on your record. You do not have to do anything to trigger this; the state sends you a notice by mail. The notice includes the total surcharge amount, the violations it is based on, and the important date for payment (usually 30 days from the date of the notice).

Surcharge amounts vary by violation. A single violation typically triggers a surcharge of $100 to $300 for the first year, and the state assesses an additional surcharge each year you remain above the threshold. If you accumulate more points, the surcharge increases. For example, if you have 6 points, you might owe $200; if you later accumulate 8 points, you might owe $300 or more.

The surcharge is due within 30 days. If you do not pay by the important date, the state suspends your license. You cannot renew your registration, and driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Texas.

What happens if you do not pay the surcharge

If the surcharge important date passes without payment, the Texas DPS suspends your license. You will receive a notice of suspension by mail, but the suspension takes effect even if you do not receive the notice. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and can result in arrest, fines up to $1,000, and jail time.

To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay the full surcharge amount plus a reinstatement fee (typically $100). You can pay online through the Texas DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Once payment is processed, your license is reinstated, usually within one business day if you pay online.

If you cannot afford the surcharge, you can request a payment plan or a hearing to contest the surcharge. Contact the Texas DPS Driver Responsibility Program office to discuss your options. Some people are granted hardship exemptions if they can demonstrate financial hardship, though these are not common.

How long points stay on your driving record

Points remain on your Texas driving record for 36 months (three years) from the date of conviction, not from the date you paid the fine or the date of the ticket. This means a violation from January 2022 would drop off your record in January 2025. The state counts all points within the 36-month window when determining whether you have exceeded the threshold.

Once a point falls off your record, it no longer counts toward the threshold. However, if you are still above the threshold because of other violations, you will continue to owe surcharges. The surcharge obligation does not end until your total points fall below the threshold.

You can view your own driving record through the Texas DPS website to see exactly which violations are currently on file and when they will expire. Checking your record periodically helps you understand when you will drop below the threshold and stop owing surcharges.

Differences between points and court fines

A common source of confusion: the fine you pay to the court and the surcharge the state assesses are two separate obligations. When you receive a ticket, the court sets a fine (often $100 to $300 depending on the violation). You pay this fine to the court, and it goes toward the court system. The surcharge is assessed by the state and goes to the state's Driver Responsibility Program.

You can pay your court fine in full and still owe the state surcharge. Conversely, paying the surcharge does not pay your court fine. Both must be paid separately. If you do not pay your court fine, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest or suspend your license through a different mechanism (the court's own suspension authority, separate from the DPS surcharge system).

How to check your points and surcharge status

The Texas DPS maintains your driving record and makes it available to you online. Visit the DPS website and use the driving record lookup tool. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record shows all violations from the past three years, the points assigned to each, and any surcharges currently owed.

If you prefer not to look it up online, you can request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a DPS office. There is a small fee (typically $3 to $5) for a paper copy. If you are contesting a violation or need the record for a legal matter, you can request a certified copy.

If you see an error on your record — a violation you do not believe you committed, or points assigned incorrectly — you can file a dispute with the DPS. You will need documentation supporting your claim, such as court records showing the case was dismissed or the conviction was overturned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record early?

No. Points remain on your record for exactly 36 months from the conviction date, and there is no process to remove them early. However, some people take a defensive driving course, which can reduce points on one violation per year (up to 5 points removed). You must take the course within 30 days of receiving the ticket, and you must not have taken a course in the past 12 months.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

If someone else was driving your vehicle, you can contest the ticket in traffic court. You will need to bring the person who was actually driving or provide a statement from them. If you win the case, the conviction is dismissed and no points are added. If you lose or do not contest it, points are added to your record regardless of who was driving.

Do points from other states show up on my Texas record?

Texas has access to violations from other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver License Compact. Points from out-of-state violations may be added to your Texas record and count toward the surcharge threshold. Check your Texas driving record to see if any out-of-state violations appear.

Can I pay the surcharge in installments?

You can request a payment plan by contacting the Texas DPS Driver Responsibility Program office. They may allow you to pay in installments if you demonstrate financial hardship. However, you must request this before the surcharge important date passes; if your license is already suspended, you must pay the full amount plus reinstatement fee to restore it.

Does a dismissed ticket still add points?

No. If your ticket is dismissed in court, no conviction occurs and no points are added to your record. You must obtain a certified copy of the dismissal and send it to the DPS to may support the violation does not appear on your record. If the dismissal is not processed, contact the court and the DPS to correct the record.