Texas suspends your license at 6 points within 36 months
The Texas Department of Public Safety uses a point system to track traffic violations. When you accumulate 6 points in a 36-month period, your license is automatically suspended for a minimum of 3 months. The suspension is mandatory — there is no discretion in the system once you hit that threshold.
The 36-month window is a rolling period. If you get a violation today, it counts toward your total for the next three years. Once a violation falls outside that 36-month window, it stops counting toward suspension, but it remains on your driving record for insurance and other purposes.
Different violations carry different point values. A single speeding ticket might be 1 point, while reckless driving can be 4 points. The specific violation determines how many points you receive, and multiple violations stack quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Six points accumulated within any 36-month period triggers an automatic license suspension in Texas.
- The suspension lasts a minimum of 3 months, and you cannot drive legally during that time.
- Different traffic violations carry different point values, ranging from 1 point for minor infractions to 4 points for serious ones.
- Points drop off your record after 36 months, but only for suspension purposes — they remain on your driving history for insurance companies.
Point values for common Texas traffic violations
Not all traffic violations carry the same point weight. Texas assigns points based on the severity of the offense and the risk it poses to public safety.
| Violation Type | Points Assigned |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1–10 mph over limit) | 1 point |
| Speeding (11–20 mph over limit) | 2 points |
| Speeding (21+ mph over limit) | 3 points |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 2 points |
| Improper passing | 2 points |
| Following too closely | 2 points |
| Reckless driving | 4 points |
| Driving without a valid license | 2 points |
| Hit and run (property damage) | 2 points |
| Hit and run (injury or death) | 3 points |
These point values are set by Texas law and do not change based on your driving history or circumstances. A speeding ticket is always the same point value regardless of whether it is your first violation or your fifth.
How the 36-month rolling window works
The suspension threshold is not based on a calendar year — it is based on a rolling 36-month period. This means the state looks back three years from today and counts all violations within that window.
If you received a violation on January 15, 2022, it counts toward your total until January 15, 2025. On January 16, 2025, that violation drops off and no longer counts toward suspension. However, it remains on your driving record for other purposes, such as insurance rate calculations.
This rolling window means you can accumulate violations slowly over time without hitting 6 points, but a cluster of violations in a short period can push you over the threshold quickly. For example, three speeding tickets in one month could give you 3 to 6 points depending on how much over the speed limit you were going.
What happens when you reach 6 points
When your point total reaches 6 within the 36-month window, the Texas Department of Public Safety sends you a notice of suspension. The suspension is not when ready — you receive written notice, and the suspension typically takes effect 10 days after the notice is mailed.
During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense and can result in additional points, fines, and jail time. The minimum suspension period is 3 months, but it can be longer depending on your history.
If you accumulate additional violations during the suspension period, those points still count toward your record. Once your suspension ends and your license is reinstated, you start fresh with a clean point count — but only for suspension purposes. The violations that caused the suspension remain on your driving record.
Suspension length based on point history
Texas law sets minimum suspension periods, but the length can increase based on your driving history and how many times you have been suspended before.
A first suspension for reaching 6 points results in a minimum 3-month suspension. If you are suspended again within 5 years of the first suspension, the second suspension is a minimum of 6 months. A third suspension within 5 years of the second suspension is a minimum of 12 months.
These are minimum periods. The Department of Public Safety can impose longer suspensions in some cases, particularly if you have other violations or if you were driving with a suspended license.
How to check your current point total
You can check how many points are on your Texas driving record through the Department of Public Safety website or by visiting a local DPS office in person. You will need your driver's license number or your Social Security number to look up your record.
The online system shows your current point total and the violations that contributed to it, along with the dates. This information is updated regularly, though there can be a delay of a few days between when a violation is processed and when it appears in the system.
Checking your record is free and does not require any special permission. You can check it as often as you want to monitor your point total and understand how close you are to suspension.
Options if you are close to suspension
If you have accumulated 4 or 5 points and are approaching the suspension threshold, you have limited options. You cannot remove points from your record through any official process — points only drop off after 36 months have passed.
However, you may be able to reduce the impact of a violation before it is finalized. If you received a ticket, you can contest it in traffic court. If you win the case, the violation is dismissed and no points are added to your record. If you lose or plead guilty, the points are added.
Some traffic violations can be reduced to non-moving violations through plea agreements with the prosecutor. A non-moving violation (such as an equipment violation) does not add points to your driving record. This option depends on the specific violation and the jurisdiction where you received the ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed from my record before 36 months?
No. Points automatically drop off your record after 36 months, but there is no way to remove them sooner. Defensive driving courses can reduce points in some states, but Texas does not offer this option for point reduction. A defensive driving course may reduce a fine or prevent insurance increases, but it does not remove points from your driving record.
What is the difference between points and a ticket fine?
Points and fines are separate. A ticket includes both a fine (money you pay) and points (added to your record). Paying the fine does not remove the points, and the points do not go away if you pay the fine quickly. Both consequences are permanent until the violation ages off your record.
Does a suspended license affect my car insurance?
Yes. A suspension is a serious violation that insurance companies track. Your rates will increase significantly, and some insurers may drop you entirely. You may be required to file an SR-22 form with the state, which is proof of financial responsibility and is more expensive than standard insurance.
Can I drive to work during a suspension?
Not legally. A license suspension means you cannot drive for any reason. Some states offer restricted licenses for work or medical purposes, but Texas does not grant these for point-based suspensions. Driving during a suspension is a criminal offense.
What happens if I get a violation while my license is suspended?
Any violation while your license is suspended is treated as a separate offense. You will face charges for driving with a suspended license in addition to the original violation. This can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension period when your current suspension ends.