Where to find 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. The fastest way is online through the DPS portal, where you can see your current point total and the violations that caused them. You will need your driver license number and date of birth to log in.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the DPS at 1-888-589-6556 during business hours, or visit a DPS office in person with your driver license. The phone line can have wait times, especially during lunch hours and early evening, so calling early in the morning often gets you through faster.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas DPS website at dps.texas.gov lets you check your points online using your driver license number and date of birth.
- Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from when you paid the ticket.
- Accumulating 6 points within a 3-year period triggers an automatic license suspension in Texas.
- You can reduce points by completing a defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points if you have not taken one in the past 12 months.
Understanding what points mean on your Texas license
Each traffic violation in Texas carries a specific point value. A minor violation like speeding 1 to 10 miles over the limit is 1 point, while speeding 31 miles or more over the limit is 6 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points, and more serious violations like reckless driving or driving without a license are 6 points each.
Points accumulate over a rolling three-year period. This means a violation from three years and one day ago drops off your record, but violations within the past three years all count toward your total. If you reach 6 points within any three-year window, the DPS will suspend your license automatically — you do not have to be convicted of a new crime or go to court for this to happen.
How to access the DPS online portal
Go to dps.texas.gov and look for the "Driver License" section. Click on "Check Your Driving Record" or a similar link (the exact wording changes occasionally, but it will be in the driver license area). You will be asked to enter your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
The system will show you a summary of your current points, the violations that caused them, and the date each violation will drop off your record. You can print or save this page for your records. The information updates within a few days of a conviction, so if you were recently convicted of a violation, it may not appear when ready.
What to do if you have too many points
If you are approaching 6 points or already have 6 or more, you have two main options: take a defensive driving course, or wait for older violations to age off your record. A defensive driving course removes up to 3 points from your record, but you can only take one course per 12 months, and you cannot take one if you have already taken one in the past year.
To take a defensive driving course, you must first be convicted of the violation — straightforward being ticketed does not count. You can take the course online or in person through approved providers. The course costs between $25 and $100 depending on the provider, and you will receive a certificate to send to the DPS. The point reduction takes effect once the DPS processes your certificate, which usually takes two to four weeks.
If you cannot take a defensive driving course or it will not bring you below 6 points, your only option is to wait. Violations drop off after three years, so if you have a violation from two years and nine months ago, it will disappear in three months. During this time, avoid any new violations, because even one more point will trigger a suspension.
What happens when your license is suspended for points
When you reach 6 points, the DPS sends you a notice by mail telling you that your license will be suspended. You have a right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must request it within 10 days of receiving the notice. If you do not request a hearing, your license is suspended automatically.
During a suspension for points, you cannot drive legally, even for work or medical appointments. To get your license back, you must wait out the suspension period (usually 30 to 90 days depending on your record), pay a reinstatement fee of $100, and sometimes take a written test. If you drive during a suspension, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Texas.
Defensive driving courses and point reduction
A defensive driving course is a classroom or online class that teaches safe driving techniques and traffic laws. In Texas, completing one removes up to 3 points from your record. You do not have to have a violation on your record to take the course — you can take it proactively to build up a buffer of point reduction before you get a ticket.
However, there are limits. You can only use a defensive driving course once every 12 months, and you can only remove up to 3 points per course. If you have 8 points and take a course, you will have 5 points left, not 2. You also cannot take a course if you have already taken one in the past 12 months, even if you still have points to remove.
Look for courses approved by the Texas DPS — the website lists approved providers. Most courses take 4 to 8 hours and cost between $25 and $100. Once you complete the course, you will receive a certificate. Send it to the DPS address listed on the certificate, or some providers will submit it electronically on your behalf. Keep a copy for yourself.
Checking your record before a job or insurance process
Many employers and insurance companies check your driving record before hiring you or issuing a policy. If you know you have violations on your record, check your points first so you know what they will see. Your personal driving record from the DPS is the same record that employers and insurers see, so there are no surprises.
If you have points but they are old enough that they will drop off soon, you may want to wait to explore if possible. For example, if you have 5 points and one violation is dropping off in two months, waiting those two months means you will have only 2 points when they check. If waiting is not an option, be honest about your record — employers and insurers expect to see violations on many drivers' records, and transparency is better than being caught hiding something.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do points stay on my Texas driver license?
Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket or went to court. Once three years have passed, the violation and its points drop off automatically. You do not have to do anything to remove them.
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No. The DPS only releases your own driving record to you. If you need someone else's record — for example, if you are hiring a driver — you must get written permission from that person, and they can request their own record and share it with you.
What if I was found not guilty of a traffic violation?
If you were found not guilty or the charge was dismissed, the violation should not appear on your record and should not add points. If it still appears after the court sends the disposition to the DPS, contact the DPS to report the error. This can take a few weeks to process.
Does paying a ticket remove points from my license?
No. Paying the ticket does not remove points. The only ways to remove points are to wait three years for them to drop off, or to take a defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points. Paying the ticket is required by law, but it does not affect your point total.
Can I take a defensive driving course if my license is already suspended?
No. You must take a defensive driving course before your license is suspended. Once you reach 6 points and your license is suspended, a defensive driving course will not help you get your license back. Your only option is to wait out the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee.