Texas uses a points system to track unsafe driving behavior

Texas doesn't suspend your license based on a single ticket. Instead, the Texas Department of Public Safety assigns points to your driving record when you're convicted of certain violations. The more serious the violation, the more points you receive. Once you accumulate enough points within a specific time frame, the state can suspend your license — but the exact number that triggers suspension depends on your age and how long you've been driving.

The points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, not from the date of the ticket. This means a violation from three years and one month ago no longer counts toward your total, even if you haven't paid a fine or completed other requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Most moving violations in Texas carry between 2 and 6 points, with serious violations like reckless driving worth more.
  • Your license can be suspended if you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, 18 or more points within 24 months, or 24 or more points within 36 months.
  • Points remain on your record for three years from the conviction date, then drop off automatically.
  • You can reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points.

How many points each violation costs

Texas assigns points based on the type of violation. A speeding ticket under 10 miles per hour over the limit typically costs 3 points, while speeding 10 to 20 miles per hour over the limit costs 4 points. Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit carries 6 points.

Other common violations and their point values include: running a red light or stop sign (3 points), improper lane change (3 points), following too closely (4 points), failure to yield (4 points), and reckless driving (6 points). Violations involving alcohol or drugs carry higher point values — a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) adds 6 points to your record.

Not every ticket results in points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some administrative violations do not add points to your driving record, though you still have to pay the fine.

When Texas suspends your license based on points

The Texas Department of Public Safety uses three different thresholds depending on how quickly you accumulate points. If you receive 12 or more points within a 12-month period, your license will be suspended. If you accumulate 18 or more points within 24 months, suspension follows. If you reach 24 or more points within 36 months, your license will be suspended.

The suspension is automatic — you don't have to do anything to trigger it. Once the state determines you've crossed the threshold, they mail you a notice of suspension. The suspension typically lasts 30 to 90 days for a first offense, though repeat suspensions can last longer.

How to reduce points on your record

You can remove up to 3 points from your driving record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Texas Education Agency. The course must be at least 6 hours long and cover topics like hazard perception and vehicle control. You can take the course online or in person, and it costs between $25 and $100 depending on the provider.

You can take a defensive driving course once every 12 months and remove points once every 12 months. This means if you have 9 points on your record, you could take a course to drop to 6 points, but you'd have to wait a full year before taking another course to remove additional points.

Completing a defensive driving course also may lower your insurance rates, though that depends on your insurance company's policy. Some insurers offer a discount for completing the course; others do not.

What happens during a license suspension

A suspension means you cannot legally drive in Texas or most other states. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you're stopped while suspended, you face a Class B misdemeanor charge for a first offense, which carries a fine up to $200 and up to 72 hours in jail.

After your suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Texas Department of Public Safety before you can drive again. The fee is typically $100, though it may be higher if you have multiple suspensions or other violations on your record.

How to check your current points

You can view your driving record online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website. You'll need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows all violations from the past three years and the points assigned to each one. You can also request a copy of your record by mail or in person at a DPS office.

Your insurance company also has access to your driving record and uses it to set your rates. If you're unsure how many points you have, checking your record directly is faster and more accurate than asking your insurer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Texas counts violations from other states toward your point total if you were convicted in that state. The points are converted to Texas equivalents based on the severity of the violation. A speeding ticket from California, for example, would add points to your Texas record.

Can I dispute points on my record?

You can dispute a violation if you believe the conviction was incorrect, but you cannot dispute the points themselves once you've been convicted. If you want to challenge the conviction, you would need to do so through the court that issued the ticket, not through the Department of Public Safety.

What if I complete a defensive driving course but still get another ticket?

The 3 points you removed with the defensive driving course stay removed. Your new ticket adds its own points on top of your remaining total. You can take another defensive driving course after 12 months to remove up to 3 more points.

Does paying a ticket faster remove points?

No. Points are assigned when you're convicted, not when you pay the fine. Paying quickly doesn't affect the points on your record. The only way to remove points is to wait three years for them to drop off or to complete a defensive driving course.

Will points affect my car insurance rates?

Yes. Insurance companies review your driving record and typically raise your rates after a violation. The increase depends on the severity of the violation and your insurer's policy. Some companies raise rates more for serious violations like reckless driving than for minor speeding tickets.