Texas suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months

The Texas Department of Public Safety tracks points on your driving record based on traffic violations you receive. Once you hit one of those thresholds — whichever comes first — the state sends you a notice of suspension. Your license becomes invalid on the date shown in that notice, typically 10 to 20 days after the letter arrives. You cannot legally drive until you complete the reinstatement process, which involves paying a reinstatement fee and sometimes taking a defensive driving course.

The point system is cumulative within each time window. A single serious violation like reckless driving (6 points) gets you halfway to suspension in one year. Multiple minor violations stack quickly: a speeding ticket is 1 point, failure to maintain a single lane is 2 points, and an at-fault accident is 3 points. The clock resets on the oldest violation once 12, 24, or 36 months have passed since you received it.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months — whichever threshold you hit first.
  • Different violations carry different point values: speeding is 1 point, failure to maintain lane is 2 points, at-fault accidents are 3 points, and reckless driving is 6 points.
  • You receive a written notice of suspension from the Texas Department of Public Safety before your license is actually suspended, giving you time to understand what happened.
  • Reinstatement requires paying a fee to the state and may require completing a defensive driving course, depending on the reason for suspension.
  • Points fall off your record based on the date of the violation, not the date you paid the ticket, so paying quickly does not speed up point removal.

How Points Are Assigned to Different Violations

Texas assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. A speeding ticket is worth 1 point regardless of how far over the limit you were driving. Violations involving unsafe lane changes, improper turns, or failure to yield are typically 2 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points. Reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or hit-and-run charges are 6 points each. Some violations like driving without a license or driving without insurance carry no points but can still result in suspension through separate state rules.

The point value is determined by the violation code on your ticket, not by what you actually paid or how the case was resolved. If you received a ticket for unsafe lane change (2 points) and later had it dismissed in court, the points do not appear on your record. But if you paid the fine or pleaded guilty, those 2 points are recorded even if you completed a defensive driving course to keep them off your record in some cases.

The Three Point Thresholds That Trigger Suspension

Texas uses three separate time windows to track points. The first is 12 points within any 12-month period — this is the most common reason for suspension and can happen within a single year if you receive multiple violations. The second is 18 points within any 24-month period, which catches drivers who accumulate violations over two years. The third is 24 points within any 36-month period, which applies to drivers with a longer history of violations.

You hit suspension when you cross any of these thresholds, and the state suspends based on whichever limit you violate first. If you accumulate 12 points in 11 months, your license is suspended when ready — you do not get to keep driving until you hit 18 points. The oldest points begin to drop off your record after 12, 24, or 36 months have passed since the violation date, but only if you have not already been suspended.

What Happens When You Reach the Point Threshold

The Texas Department of Public Safety mails you a notice of suspension when your points cross the threshold. This letter includes the suspension start date, which is typically 10 to 20 days after the letter is mailed. The notice explains why you are being suspended and tells you how to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is in error. You have the right to request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the notice, though this rarely results in the suspension being reversed unless there is a clerical error in your record.

On the suspension start date, your license becomes invalid. You cannot legally drive, and driving during suspension carries criminal penalties including fines up to $200, possible jail time, and additional points on your record. Your vehicle can be impounded if you are caught driving while suspended. The suspension remains in effect until you complete the reinstatement process.

Reinstatement Requirements and Fees

To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The fee is $100 for a first suspension, $150 for a second suspension within five years, and $200 for a third or subsequent suspension within five years. You pay this fee through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. The fee must be paid before your license can be reinstated.

Depending on the reason for your suspension, you may also be required to complete a defensive driving course. If your suspension was based on points from traffic violations (not from other reasons like unpaid child support or unpaid fines), you must complete an approved defensive driving course before reinstatement. This course takes about four to six hours and can be completed online or in person. After you pay the fee and complete any required course, you can request reinstatement through the DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person.

How Defensive Driving Courses Affect Your Record

Taking a defensive driving course does not remove points that are already on your record. However, if you take an approved course within 30 days of receiving a traffic ticket, you may be able to keep that specific ticket from adding points to your record — but only if the ticket was for a moving violation and you have not taken a course for another ticket in the past 12 months. This is different from reinstatement: the course taken after suspension is a requirement to get your license back, not a way to erase existing points.

The defensive driving course requirement for reinstatement is separate from any course you might have taken to avoid points on a specific ticket. If you took a course to dismiss a speeding ticket and avoid those points, you still cannot take another course to avoid points on a second ticket within 12 months. Once you are suspended and must reinstate, the defensive driving course is mandatory and does not count toward this 12-month limit.

Checking Your Driving Record and Point Balance

You can check your current point balance through the Texas Department of Public Safety website or by visiting a DPS office in person. The online system shows your driving record, including all violations and the points assigned to each one. You can also order an official copy of your driving record by mail or in person. Checking your record is free through the DPS website.

Your driving record shows the violation date, not the date you paid the ticket or the date the case was resolved. Points are calculated from the violation date, so if you received a ticket on January 15 but did not pay it until March, the points still count from January 15. If you are close to a point threshold, you can calculate exactly when the oldest points will drop off by counting forward 12, 24, or 36 months from each violation date on your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while waiting for my suspension notice to arrive?

Yes. Your license is valid until the suspension start date shown in the notice. Once that date arrives, you cannot legally drive. If you receive the notice and the suspension date is in the future, you have that time to arrange transportation or complete reinstatement steps early if possible.

Do points drop off my record if I do not get suspended?

Yes. Points fall off your record 12, 24, or 36 months after the violation date, depending on the violation. If you stay under the suspension threshold, the oldest points straightforward disappear from your record on their anniversary date. This is automatic — you do not need to do anything.

What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense worth 6 points on its own. This adds to your point total and extends your suspension. You will face additional fines and possible jail time. Do not drive during suspension under any circumstances.

Does paying a ticket faster remove points sooner?

No. Points are tied to the violation date, not the payment date. Whether you pay the ticket the same day or six months later, the points count from the day you received the ticket. Paying quickly does not speed up point removal.

Can I request a hearing to stop my suspension?

You can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice, but hearings rarely result in the suspension being reversed. The hearing is used to verify that the points on your record are accurate. If there is a clerical error — for example, points assigned to someone else with a similar name — a hearing can correct it. Otherwise, the suspension proceeds as scheduled.