Illinois suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within a 12-month period, or 18 points within a 24-month period
The Illinois Secretary of State tracks points on your driving record based on traffic violations you receive. When your total reaches the threshold, the state automatically suspends your license for a set period. The suspension is not optional — it happens without a hearing or warning letter once you hit the point total.
The point system exists to remove dangerous drivers from the road. Minor violations like speeding add fewer points; serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence add more. Understanding how points accumulate helps you know where you stand and what to expect if you receive a ticket.
Key Takeaways
- Twelve points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months triggers an automatic license suspension in Illinois.
- Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket might be 5 points, while reckless driving is 50 points.
- The Secretary of State mails a suspension notice to your address on file, usually arriving within weeks of you hitting the threshold.
- You can request a hearing to challenge the suspension, but you must do so within 30 days of receiving the notice.
- Paying a ticket or pleading guilty does not remove points; only time passing or a successful court challenge reduces your point total.
How points are assigned to specific violations
Illinois assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A conviction for speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 5 points. Speeding 11 to 14 miles per hour over the limit is 15 points. Speeding 15 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is 20 points. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit is 50 points.
Other common violations carry these point values: improper lane change (5 points), following too closely (5 points), failure to yield (10 points), running a red light (20 points), reckless driving (50 points), and driving under the influence (50 points). A conviction for leaving the scene of an accident is 50 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 50 points.
The point value depends on what you were convicted of, not what you were charged with. If you were charged with speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit but pleaded guilty to speeding 10 miles per hour over the limit, the 5-point violation is what goes on your record.
When the suspension takes effect
The Secretary of State does not suspend your license the moment you accumulate 12 or 18 points. Instead, the state processes your conviction, adds the points to your record, and then mails you a notice. This process typically takes two to four weeks after your conviction is entered into the court system.
The suspension notice will state the date your suspension begins and how long it lasts. A first suspension for accumulating points is usually for three months. If you accumulate points again after your suspension ends and you are reinstated, a second suspension is typically six months. A third or subsequent suspension is usually one year.
Your license remains valid until the suspension start date listed in the notice. You can still drive legally until that date arrives. After the suspension begins, driving is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record through the Illinois Secretary of State website. Go to sos.illinois.gov and look for the "Driver Services" section. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online system shows all convictions on your record and the points assigned to each one.
You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail. Fill out the form available on the Secretary of State website, include a check or money order, and mail it to the address provided. The state will send you a printed copy within one to two weeks.
Your driving record is public information, so insurance companies, employers, and courts can also view it. Checking your own record regularly helps you catch errors or outdated information before it affects your license status.
Requesting a hearing to challenge the suspension
If you believe the suspension is wrong — for example, if points were added in error or if a conviction was later overturned — you can request a hearing. You must submit your request within 30 days of receiving the suspension notice. The notice itself will include instructions on how to request a hearing and where to send your request.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points should not have been added to your record. Common reasons for successful challenges include a conviction that was later dismissed, points that were added twice for the same violation, or violations that occurred outside the 12-month or 24-month window. The hearing officer will review your case and decide whether to uphold or overturn the suspension.
If you miss the 30-day important date, you cannot request a hearing. Your only option at that point is to serve out the suspension and then explore for reinstatement once the suspension period ends.
What happens after your suspension ends
When your suspension period is over, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must explore for reinstatement through the Secretary of State. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for your suspension. For a suspension due to accumulated points, the fee is typically $100 to $200, though this amount can change.
You may also be required to pass a written test or vision test before reinstatement, depending on how long your suspension lasted. The Secretary of State will notify you of any testing requirements when you explore for reinstatement.
Once you are reinstated, your point total resets to zero. However, convictions remain on your driving record for a set period — usually five years for most violations. This means insurance companies can still see your history, but new violations start a fresh point count.
How points expire from your record
Points do not disappear when ready after a certain date. Instead, they stop counting toward a suspension once enough time has passed. For most violations, points are removed from your record five years after the conviction date. For serious violations like driving under the influence, points may remain on your record for a longer period.
The five-year clock starts from the date of your conviction, not the date you received the ticket. If you were convicted in January 2020, those points stop counting in January 2025. However, the conviction itself remains visible on your driving record for insurance and employment purposes.
Points that are no longer counted toward a suspension still affect your insurance rates and your driving history. Removing a conviction from your record entirely requires a separate legal process, such as a petition to expunge or seal the record, which is different from points expiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during my suspension if I get a work permit?
Illinois does not issue work permits that allow you to drive during a suspension for accumulated points. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even for work. Your only option is to wait for the suspension to end and then explore for reinstatement.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Illinois suspension?
Yes. Illinois counts convictions from other states toward your point total through the Driver License Compact, an agreement between most U.S. states. A speeding conviction in Wisconsin or Indiana will add points to your Illinois record just as if you had been convicted in Illinois.
What if I was found not guilty of the ticket?
If you were found not guilty or the ticket was dismissed, no points are added to your record. Only convictions result in points. Make sure the court's decision is reported to the Secretary of State, as sometimes dismissals take time to process.
Does paying a ticket without going to court stop the points?
No. Paying a ticket is the same as pleading guilty. The conviction is entered, points are added, and the suspension process begins if you reach the threshold. Your only way to avoid points is to fight the ticket in court and win, or to have it dismissed.
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
The suspension itself does not appear on your driving record after it ends. However, the convictions that caused the suspension remain on your record for five years. After five years, those specific convictions stop counting toward future suspensions, but they may still be visible to insurance companies and employers.