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California driving lesson · Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement

Points on your driver's record

A 2-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
59, 60

DMV tracks your convictions and collisions. Pile up enough points in a set time and your license may be suspended. Traffic violator school can keep one minor ticket away from your insurer.

Know the rule

When cited, you sign the ticket as a promise to appear in traffic court.

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

If you fail to appear (FTA) in court, DMV may suspend your driving privilege until you appear, and the FTA goes on your driver's record.

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Know the rule

Each conviction for a moving violation is reported by the court to DMV and placed on your record. Convictions from other states and juvenile court are also added.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
36 months

Traffic convictions and collisions stay on your record this long or longer

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Adult point totals that may lead to suspension

Adult point totals that may lead to suspension
PointsWithin
4 points12 months
6 points24 months
8 points36 months
Handbook p. 60 ↗

Traffic violator school

For a one-point violation, a judge may let you attend so the citation isn't reported to your insurer. It stays on your driver's record.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
18 months

You may use traffic violator school once in any 18-month period

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Know the rule

The school reports your course completion to the court, and you get a completion receipt.

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Put it into practice

In the last 12 months you've been convicted of violations totaling 4 points. DMV may suspend your license, since 4 points in 12 months meets the adult threshold.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How many points in 12 months can lead to license suspension for an adult driver?
  1. 2 points
  2. 4 points
  3. 6 points
  4. 8 points

Answer: 4 points

An adult's license may be suspended with 4 points in 12 months.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
How many points in 24 months can lead to license suspension for an adult driver?
  1. 4 points
  2. 8 points
  3. 6 points
  4. 10 points

Answer: 6 points

An adult's license may be suspended with 6 points in 24 months.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
How many points in 36 months can lead to license suspension for an adult driver?
  1. 6 points
  2. 10 points
  3. 4 points
  4. 8 points

Answer: 8 points

An adult's license may be suspended with 8 points in 36 months.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
How often may a driver choose traffic violator school to keep a one-point violation off their insurance report?
  1. Once per 18 months
  2. Once every 6 months
  3. Twice a year
  4. Once every 5 years

Answer: Once per 18 months

A driver may use traffic violator school for this purpose once in any 18-month period.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
What can happen if you get a traffic ticket and fail to appear (FTA) in court?
  1. Nothing happens if the fine is later paid
  2. DMV may suspend you until you appear
  3. It is automatically dismissed after 90 days
  4. Only your insurance is notified

Answer: DMV may suspend you until you appear

Failing to appear in court after a ticket can lead DMV to suspend your driving privilege until you appear.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
Attending traffic violator school removes a one-point violation entirely from your driver's record.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Traffic violator school keeps the citation off your insurance report, but it remains on your driver's record.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
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