Texas tracks violations on your driving record using a points system, and points can lead to license suspension if they accumulate too quickly
Texas assigns points to your driving record when you receive a traffic conviction — not just when you get a ticket, but when you are actually convicted in court or pay the fine. Different violations carry different point values. A minor infraction like speeding might add one point, while reckless driving adds four. If you accumulate too many points within a set time frame, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will suspend your license automatically.
The suspension threshold depends on your age. Drivers under 18 face suspension if they reach four points within 12 months. Drivers 18 and older face suspension at eight points within 36 months. This means a single serious violation can trigger suspension for a young driver, while an adult driver has more room before the state steps in.
Key Takeaways
- Texas assigns one to four points per traffic conviction depending on the violation type, and points stay on your record for three years from the conviction date.
- Drivers under 18 lose their license at four points in 12 months; drivers 18 and older lose it at eight points in 36 months.
- A conviction means a court judgment or a paid fine — receiving a ticket does not automatically add points until the case is resolved.
- You can request a hearing before DPS suspends your license, and you have the right to see the evidence against you.
- Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, though this depends on the violation type and when you complete the course.
How points are assigned to specific violations
Texas uses a four-tier point system. Most moving violations carry either one or two points. Speeding, following too closely, and improper lane changes typically add one point each. Reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and at-fault accidents add two points. Serious violations like driving under the influence (DUI) or driving with a child passenger while intoxicated add three or four points.
The violation must result in a conviction for points to be added. If you receive a ticket but the case is dismissed, no points are recorded. If you pay a fine without going to court, that counts as a conviction and points are added. If you contest the ticket in court and are found not guilty, no points are added.
Points remain on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. After three years, they drop off automatically — you do not need to request removal. However, if you accumulate new points before old ones fall off, the total can still trigger suspension.
When DPS will suspend your license based on points
The Texas DPS monitors your point total continuously. If you cross the threshold for your age group, DPS sends you a notice of suspension by mail. The suspension takes effect 10 days after you receive the notice, giving you a short window to request a hearing if you want to challenge it.
A suspension based on points is different from a suspension for other reasons (like failing to pay a fine or missing a court date). A points-based suspension typically lasts 90 days for a first suspension, six months for a second within five years, and one year for a third within five years. After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated if you have no other suspensions pending.
If you receive notice of suspension, you can request a hearing before DPS to present your case. You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request the hearing. At the hearing, you can argue that the points were recorded in error or present other circumstances you believe are relevant. However, the hearing officer will focus on whether the points were properly recorded — not on whether you think the punishment is fair.
Requesting a hearing before suspension takes effect
To request a hearing, contact the DPS Driver License Division in writing or by phone. The notice of suspension will include the phone number and mailing address. You must request the hearing within 10 days of receiving the notice. If you miss this important date, you lose the right to a hearing and the suspension takes effect as scheduled.
At the hearing, you will have the chance to see the violations on your record and challenge them if they are incorrect. You can bring documents, witnesses, or other evidence. The hearing officer will review your record and decide whether to uphold the suspension, reduce your point total if an error is found, or dismiss the suspension.
Even if you request a hearing, the suspension may still take effect while your case is pending. Some drivers request a hearing and then also request a temporary driving permit so they can continue driving for work or essential purposes during the suspension period. A temporary permit is not may provide, but DPS will consider your request.
How defensive driving courses affect your points
Texas allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. However, the rules are strict. You can only use a defensive driving course once every 12 months, and you can only reduce points for certain violations — typically minor moving violations like speeding or improper lane change. Serious violations like DUI or reckless driving cannot be reduced through a course.
You must complete the course before you are convicted of the violation. If you have already paid the fine or been found guilty in court, the course will not remove the points. Some courts offer the option to take a defensive driving course in place of paying a fine, which prevents the conviction from being recorded in the first place. If your court offers this option, take it — it is far more effective than taking the course after conviction.
The course must be approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Many online providers offer these courses, and they typically take four to six hours to complete. After you finish, the provider sends proof of completion to DPS. DPS then reduces your point total by one point (not the full point value of the violation). The reduction appears on your record within 30 to 60 days.
Checking your driving record and point total
You can view your driving record and current point total through the Texas DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person. Online, you can order a copy of your driving record, which will show all violations, convictions, and points from the past three years. The record costs a small fee and is usually available within a few business days.
Your driving record is not the same as your credit report. Only traffic violations appear on your driving record — criminal charges or civil judgments do not. However, your driving record is public information, and insurance companies, employers, and courts can request it.
If you find an error on your record — a violation you do not recognize or points assigned incorrectly — contact DPS when ready. Bring documentation of the error (such as a court dismissal letter or proof of payment) and request a correction. Errors can take weeks to resolve, so do not wait if you notice something wrong.
What happens after your license is suspended
Once your suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated. You do not need to reapply or pay a reinstatement fee for a points-based suspension. However, you will need to renew your license through the normal process when it expires.
If you accumulate points again after a suspension, you face a second suspension. The waiting period for a second suspension is longer — six months instead of 90 days. A third suspension within five years results in a one-year suspension. These escalating penalties make it important to avoid further violations after a suspension.
During a suspension, driving is illegal. If you are caught driving with a suspended license, you face criminal charges, additional fines, and a longer suspension. Some drivers obtain a hardship license or occupational license to drive to work or school during a suspension, but these require a separate process and court approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Texas suspension?
Yes. Texas counts violations from other states if you were convicted there. The points may differ from Texas point values, but DPS converts them to the Texas scale. This means a serious violation in another state can push you toward suspension in Texas even if you have a clean record here.
Can I remove points from my record before three years?
Only through a defensive driving course, and only for certain violations and only if you complete it before conviction. You cannot petition DPS to remove points early for any other reason. After three years from the conviction date, points fall off automatically.
What if I was not the driver when the ticket was issued?
You can contest the violation in court by proving someone else was driving. Bring evidence such as witness statements or documentation showing the other person was behind the wheel. If you win in court, the conviction is dismissed and no points are added to your record.
Does paying a ticket without going to court add points?
Yes. Paying a fine is treated as a conviction, and points are added to your record. If you want to avoid points, you must contest the ticket in court and win, or take a defensive driving course before paying (if the court offers that option).
How long does a points suspension stay on my record?
The suspension itself does not appear on your driving record the way a conviction does. However, the violations that caused the suspension remain on your record for three years. After three years, those violations drop off and the points associated with them are no longer counted.