Texas suspends your license based on points, not a straightforward ticket count
Texas does not suspend your license after a set number of tickets. Instead, the state uses a point system: each traffic violation adds points to your driving record, and when you reach a certain point total, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will suspend your license. Most moving violations add 2 to 3 points. You can reach suspension-level points from as few as four or five tickets, or it might take more depending on what violations you receive.
The point threshold that triggers suspension is 6 points within a 36-month period for drivers under 18, and 6 points within a 12-month period for drivers 18 and older. This means a single serious violation — like reckless driving, which carries 4 points — could put you halfway to suspension on its own. A minor violation like speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit adds 1 point, so you could accumulate 6 points from multiple smaller infractions over time.
Key Takeaways
- Texas suspends licenses based on reaching 6 points within 12 months (for drivers 18+) or 36 months (for drivers under 18), not on a specific number of tickets.
- Most moving violations add 2 to 3 points; speeding adds 1 point, while reckless driving adds 4 points.
- DPS will mail you a notice before suspension takes effect, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is wrong.
- You can reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course, which removes up to 1 point.
How points are assigned to different violations
Not all traffic tickets carry the same point value. Texas assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A speeding ticket for going 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 1 point. Speeding 11 to 20 mph over the limit is 2 points, and speeding 21 mph or more over the limit is 3 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 2 points. Improper lane change is 2 points.
More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points — which alone reaches the suspension threshold. Hit-and-run is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 6 points. These serious violations can push you to suspension much faster than minor speeding tickets.
Parking tickets and violations that do not involve moving the vehicle — like an expired registration or broken taillight — do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations count toward the point total that triggers suspension.
The timeline: when DPS counts points toward suspension
The period that matters depends on your age. If you are 18 or older, DPS looks at the past 12 months. If you accumulate 6 points in any 12-month period, your license will be suspended. If you are under 18, DPS looks at the past 36 months, so you have a longer window but the same 6-point threshold.
Points stay on your record even after the suspension period ends. However, points do age off your record after a certain time. Most violations drop off after 3 years from the date of conviction. This means if you received a ticket 3 years and 1 month ago, it no longer counts toward your point total — but only if you have not received another ticket in the meantime.
If you are close to 6 points but have not yet reached it, receiving one more ticket could push you over. This is why checking your driving record through the DPS website is useful: you can see exactly how many points you currently have and how much room you have left before suspension.
What happens when you reach 6 points
When your point total reaches 6, DPS does not suspend your license when ready. Instead, DPS will mail you a notice of suspension to the address on file with your license. The notice tells you when the suspension will take effect — usually 10 to 20 days after you receive the letter. This gives you time to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is incorrect.
During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. Your first suspension typically lasts 90 days. A second suspension within 10 years lasts 180 days. A third or subsequent suspension lasts one year.
After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to reapply. However, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee to DPS, which is currently $100. If you accumulate more points before the suspension ends, the suspension period may be extended.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
If you receive a notice of suspension, you have the right to request a hearing before DPS. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the notice. The hearing gives you a chance to present evidence that the suspension should not happen — for example, if you believe a ticket was issued in error or if there are other circumstances DPS should consider.
To request a hearing, contact the DPS Driver License Division. You can find the address and instructions on the notice itself, or visit the DPS website. At the hearing, you can present documents, testimony, or other evidence. However, the hearing does not overturn the ticket itself — it only addresses whether the point total is correct and whether suspension should occur.
If you lose the hearing, the suspension will proceed as scheduled. If you win, the suspension is cancelled. Even if you do not win the hearing, requesting one delays the suspension start date, which can give you time to arrange transportation or make other plans.
Reducing points through defensive driving
Texas allows you to remove up to 1 point from your driving record by completing a defensive driving course. This is a classroom or online course that teaches safe driving practices. You can take the course once every 12 months, so if you have accumulated multiple points, you could take it multiple times over several years to gradually reduce your total.
Completing a defensive driving course also may lower your auto insurance rates, since insurance companies often offer discounts to drivers who complete the course. The course typically takes 4 to 6 hours and costs between $20 and $50, depending on the provider. You must complete the course before your license is suspended in order for the point reduction to help prevent suspension.
After you complete the course, you will receive a certificate. You must submit this certificate to DPS to have the point removed from your record. The point removal is not automatic — DPS will only remove it once they receive proof that you finished the course.
Checking your current point total
You can check how many points are on your driving record through the Texas DPS website. Go to the DPS Driver License Division page and look for the option to check your driving record. You will need to provide your driver's license number and other identifying information. The record will show each violation, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and when the points will age off your record.
Checking your record is free and takes only a few minutes. If you see violations you do not recognize or believe are incorrect, you can contact DPS to dispute them. If you are close to 6 points, knowing your exact total helps you understand how much risk you are at and whether taking a defensive driving course would help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back early if I pay a fine?
No. The suspension period is set by law and cannot be shortened by paying money. You must wait out the full suspension period — 90 days for a first suspension, 180 days for a second, or one year for a third or more. After the suspension ends, you will need to pay the $100 reinstatement fee to DPS, but that fee does not shorten the suspension itself.
Do traffic tickets from other states count toward Texas suspension?
Yes. Texas is part of the Interstate Compact on Driver License Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to Texas and added to your driving record. A speeding ticket you received in Oklahoma or Louisiana will add points in Texas just as if you received it in Texas.
What if I pay a ticket but still get suspended?
Paying the fine does not remove points from your record. The points stay on your record regardless of whether you paid the ticket, contested it, or took defensive driving. The only ways to remove points are to wait for them to age off (after 3 years) or to complete a defensive driving course (which removes 1 point).
Does a suspended license affect my car insurance?
Yes. A license suspension is reported to insurance companies and will likely increase your rates significantly. Some insurers may even cancel your policy if your license is suspended. You should contact your insurance company when ready if your license is suspended to understand how it affects your coverage and rates.
Can I drive to work or school during a suspension?
No. A license suspension in Texas is a complete suspension — you cannot drive for any reason, including work or school. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense. Some states offer "occupational licenses" that allow limited driving during suspension, but Texas does not have this option for point-based suspensions.