California suspends your license when you accumulate too many points in a short time, but the exact threshold depends on your age and driving record

California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses a point system to track unsafe driving. When you get a traffic ticket for most violations — speeding, running a red light, at-fault accidents — the DMV adds points to your record. If you reach a certain number of points within a specific period, the DMV will suspend your driving privilege, meaning you cannot legally drive.

The suspension thresholds are: four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months. If you are under 18, the threshold is lower: one point in 12 months. If you are 18 or older but have held your license for less than one year, the threshold is two points in 12 months. The DMV counts only points from violations that occurred within the lookback period — older violations drop off after the time window closes.

You will receive a notice from the DMV before suspension takes effect, usually 30 to 60 days before the suspension date. This notice gives you time to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV suspends your license when you reach four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months — lower thresholds explore if you are under 18 or newly licensed.
  • You will receive written notice at least 30 days before suspension, and you can request a hearing to challenge the suspension before it takes effect.
  • A suspension typically lasts six months, but you may be able to request a restricted license that allows you to drive to work or school during the suspension period.
  • Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date, so older violations eventually stop counting toward suspension thresholds.
  • Traffic school can remove one point from your record if you were cited for a non-criminal moving violation and meet other requirements, though you can use this option only once every 18 months.

How points are assigned and what violations cost

Most moving violations add one point to your record. These include speeding, unsafe lane changes, running a stop sign or red light, and at-fault accidents. A few violations cost more: reckless driving adds two points, and a DUI (driving under the influence) adds two points. Parking violations and equipment violations (like a broken taillight) do not add points.

The violation must occur in California or be reported to the DMV by another state for the point to count. If you receive a ticket in another state, that state may report it to California under the Interstate Compact, and the DMV will add the point to your California record.

You do not lose points by paying a ticket or being found guilty. The only ways to remove a point are to complete traffic school (which removes one point and only once every 18 months) or to wait three years from the violation date for it to drop off your record automatically.

What happens when you receive the suspension notice

The DMV mails a notice titled "Order of Suspension or Revocation" to your address on file. This notice states the suspension start date, the reason (number of points), and your right to request a hearing. The notice also explains that you can request a restricted license, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical reasons during the suspension.

You have 10 days from the date the notice is mailed to request a hearing. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one. At the hearing, you can argue that the DMV made an error in counting points, that a violation was incorrectly reported, or that points from an out-of-state violation should not count. You cannot argue that the point system itself is unfair — that is a legal question, not a factual one the hearing officer can address.

If you do not request a hearing, the suspension takes effect on the date stated in the notice. If you do request a hearing and lose, the suspension still takes effect, but you will have had a chance to present your side.

Suspension length and restricted driving privileges

A first suspension typically lasts six months. If you are suspended again within five years of the end of your first suspension, the second suspension lasts one year. A third suspension within five years of the second lasts two years.

During a suspension, you cannot drive at all unless you obtain a restricted license. To request a restricted license, you must submit a form to the DMV (usually included with your suspension notice) and show that you have a specific need — employment, school attendance, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs. The DMV will issue a restricted license that specifies the times and routes you can drive.

A restricted license is not automatic. The DMV reviews your request and may deny it if your need is not considered essential or if you have a history of serious violations. If approved, the restricted license lasts for the duration of your suspension.

Traffic school as a point removal option

If you were cited for a non-criminal moving violation (not reckless driving, DUI, or hit-and-run), you may be able to attend traffic school to remove one point from your record. You can use this option only once every 18 months. Traffic school does not erase the violation itself — it remains on your record — but it removes the point, which helps you stay below the suspension threshold.

You must request traffic school before you are convicted of the violation. In most cases, you can ask the court or the officer who cited you whether traffic school is available for your violation. Some courts allow you to request it when you appear for your ticket. If approved, you will pay a fee (typically $50 to $200, depending on the court) and complete the course, usually online, within 30 days.

Traffic school is most useful if you are close to the suspension threshold and want to avoid suspension. It is less useful if you are already suspended, because the point removal happens only after you complete the course and the court reports it to the DMV, which can take several weeks.

Challenging points on your record

If you believe a point was added to your record in error, you can request that the DMV review it. Common errors include: a violation reported twice, a violation from another state incorrectly added to your California record, or a violation that should not carry points (like a parking ticket). You can request a review by mail or in person at a DMV office.

To challenge a point, gather evidence that supports your claim. If the violation was reported twice, bring proof of payment or court documents showing you were cited only once. If it is an out-of-state violation, bring documentation showing it should not transfer to California under Interstate Compact rules. If it is a violation that should not carry points, bring the citation and a copy of California Vehicle Code sections that define which violations carry points.

Send your request and evidence to the DMV address listed on your suspension notice, or visit a local DMV office. The DMV will review your claim and respond in writing. This process can take several weeks, so do not wait until your suspension date to start.

Options if your license is already suspended

If your suspension has already taken effect, you have limited options. You cannot drive legally except under a restricted license (if you obtained one before suspension). Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in California and can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.

You can request a hearing after suspension begins if you have new evidence that the DMV made an error, but the burden is higher than before suspension. You must show that the error is material — that it directly caused the suspension — and that you have evidence the DMV did not consider before.

If you need to drive during your suspension, your only legal option is a restricted license. If you did not request one before suspension, you can request one after suspension begins, but approval is not may provide and the process takes time. Contact your local DMV office to ask about the current wait time for restricted license requests.

How to check your point balance and suspension status

You can check your driving record online through the DMV website or by visiting a DMV office in person. The online option requires you to create an account and verify your identity. Your record will show all violations on file, the points assigned to each, and the date each violation will drop off your record.

You can also call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to ask about your point balance, though you will need to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information. Response times vary, and you may be placed on hold.

Checking your record regularly helps you know how close you are to suspension and whether you should consider traffic school or other options before you reach the threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work during a suspension if I do not have a restricted license?

No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal, even if you are driving to work or for an emergency. Your only legal option is a restricted license, which you must request before or shortly after suspension begins. Without a restricted license, you cannot drive at all.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward California suspension?

Yes, if the other state reports the violation to California under the Interstate Compact. Most states participate in this agreement. However, some violations may not transfer — for example, a violation that is not a moving violation in the other state may not count in California. You can challenge an out-of-state point by providing evidence that it should not transfer.

If I complete traffic school, will the violation disappear from my record?

No. Traffic school removes the point but not the violation itself. The violation stays on your record for three years. However, removing the point helps you avoid suspension and may lower your insurance rates, depending on your insurer's policy.

How long does it take to get a restricted license?

Processing time varies by DMV office, but typically takes two to four weeks. Some offices have longer wait times. You should request a restricted license as soon as you receive your suspension notice, not after suspension begins, to avoid a gap in your driving privilege.

What happens if I drive with a suspended license?

Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor in California. Penalties include fines of $300 to $1,000, possible jail time (up to six months), and an additional suspension period added to your current suspension. A second offense within five years carries higher penalties.