Illinois suspends your license after accumulating 12 points within 12 months, and most speeding tickets add 3 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving
A single speeding ticket will not suspend your license in Illinois. Instead, the state uses a point system. Every traffic violation adds points to your driving record, and when those points reach 12 within a 12-month period, the Secretary of State automatically suspends your license for at least three months. A speeding ticket typically costs you 3 points if you were going 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit, 4 points for 11 to 20 mph over, 5 points for 21 to 30 mph over, and 6 points for 31 mph or more over the limit.
This means you could reach suspension with as few as two tickets — for example, two tickets for going 31+ mph over the limit would give you 12 points. Or you might receive four or five tickets before hitting the threshold, depending on the speed violations and whether you have other violations on your record. The clock resets every 12 months, so if your oldest violation falls off the 12-month window, those points drop off and your total resets.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within 12 months; a single speeding ticket adds 3 to 6 points depending on how much over the limit you were going.
- Two tickets for extreme speeding (31+ mph over the limit) would trigger suspension, while slower violations might require four or five tickets to reach 12 points.
- Points stay on your record for 12 months from the violation date, so violations older than that no longer count toward the 12-point threshold.
- Your license suspension lasts at least three months, and you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State before you can drive again.
- You can request a hearing to contest the suspension, but you must do so within 30 days of receiving the suspension notice.
How the Illinois point system works
Illinois assigns points based on the specific violation and how serious it is. Speeding violations are among the most common, but they are not the only way to accumulate points. Reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, and driving without a valid license all add points. The Secretary of State tracks all violations on your driving record and automatically calculates your total.
The 12-month window is a rolling period, not a calendar year. If you received a ticket on March 15, 2024, that violation stops counting toward your 12-point total on March 15, 2025. If you get another ticket on March 20, 2025, the first ticket is already off the clock and does not count. This matters because it means you might be close to suspension one month and then drop below the threshold the next month as older violations age out.
Point values for speeding tickets in Illinois
The points you receive depend on how far over the posted speed limit you were driving at the time of the stop. Illinois law sets these brackets clearly:
| Speed Over the Limit | Points Added |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10 mph | 3 points |
| 11 to 20 mph | 4 points |
| 21 to 30 mph | 5 points |
| 31 mph or more | 6 points |
If you were ticketed for going 35 mph in a 25 mph zone, that is 10 mph over the limit, so you receive 3 points. If you were going 50 mph in the same zone, that is 25 mph over, so you receive 5 points. The officer's radar reading or speed measurement becomes the basis for which bracket your ticket falls into, so the exact speed matters.
What happens when you reach 12 points
When your point total hits 12 within a 12-month period, the Secretary of State sends you a suspension notice by mail. The notice tells you the suspension is effective, usually within 10 to 15 days of the mailing date. You cannot drive legally after that date, even if you disagree with the suspension. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Illinois and can result in fines, jail time, and additional license penalties.
The suspension lasts a minimum of three months. After three months, you can request reinstatement, but you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State. The fee amount varies but is typically several hundred dollars. You also have to show proof of financial responsibility (usually auto insurance) before your license is restored. If you accumulate 12 points again within five years of a previous suspension, your next suspension lasts six months instead of three.
How to request a hearing to contest the suspension
You have the right to request a hearing before the Secretary of State to contest the suspension. You must request the hearing within 30 days of receiving the suspension notice. The hearing is your chance to argue that the points were assessed incorrectly, that a ticket should have been dismissed, or that there are other circumstances the Secretary of State should consider.
To request a hearing, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services Department. You can find the current address and phone number on the Illinois Secretary of State website. When you request the hearing, explain why you believe the suspension should not take effect. Common reasons include a ticket being dismissed in traffic court, a clerical error on your driving record, or a violation that should not have been assigned the points it received. The hearing officer will review your case, but understand that the burden is on you to prove the points were wrong.
Reducing points through traffic safety school
Illinois allows you to reduce points on your driving record by completing an approved traffic safety course. If you complete the course, you can remove up to 4 points from your record once every 12 months. This means if you have 11 points and complete the course, you drop to 7 points and avoid suspension — at least temporarily.
However, there are limits. You can only use this reduction once per 12-month period, and you cannot reduce points for certain violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence. You also cannot use the course reduction if you have already used it within the past 12 months. The course itself costs money (usually $50 to $100) and takes several hours to complete, either in person or online through an approved provider. Check the Secretary of State website for a list of approved courses in your area.
What other violations add points to your record
Speeding is not the only way to accumulate points. Other common traffic violations that add points include improper lane changes (2 points), following too closely (4 points), disobeying a traffic signal (3 points), and driving without a valid license (3 points). Reckless driving is more serious and adds 6 points. At-fault accidents also add points — typically 3 to 6 points depending on the circumstances and whether injuries occurred.
If you have multiple violations on your record, they all count toward the 12-point total. For example, if you have a speeding ticket (4 points), an improper lane change (2 points), and an at-fault accident (4 points), you have 10 points. One more violation that adds 2 or more points would push you to suspension. This is why even minor violations matter — they add up quickly when combined with other infractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while waiting for my suspension to take effect?
Yes, but only until the effective date listed on your suspension notice. Once that date passes, your license is suspended and you cannot legally drive. If you are pulled over after the effective date, you will be cited for driving on a suspended license, which is a separate criminal charge. Do not wait until the last minute to arrange alternative transportation.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Illinois suspension?
Yes. Illinois has reciprocal agreements with other states through the Driver License Compact. Violations you receive in other states are reported to Illinois and added to your driving record with the same point values. If you live in Illinois but get a speeding ticket in another state, those points count toward your 12-point suspension threshold.
What is the reinstatement fee, and how do I pay it?
The reinstatement fee varies but is typically $300 to $500. You pay it to the Illinois Secretary of State. After your three-month suspension period ends, contact the Secretary of State to request reinstatement, provide proof of insurance, and pay the fee. Your license is restored once the fee is processed and verified.
If I complete traffic school, do the points disappear from my record?
No. Completing an approved traffic safety course reduces your point total by up to 4 points, but it does not erase the violation from your driving record. The violation stays on your record, but the points are reduced. You can use this reduction once every 12 months, so it is a tool to prevent suspension, not to clear your record.
What happens if I get suspended twice in five years?
Your second suspension within five years lasts six months instead of three. A third suspension within five years lasts one year. The penalties increase with each suspension, so avoiding a second suspension is important. After five years with no new suspensions, the clock resets and a future suspension would go back to the three-month minimum.