A 3-minute lesson from the Delaware course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Some minor speeding tickets carry no points, while very high speeds bring automatic suspensions. Courses matter too: aggressive drivers must take one, and a defensive driving course earns a credit against future actions.
A speeding ticket 1–14 mph over the limit carries no points if:
It's your first violation within any 3-year period
You pay it through the Voluntary Assessment Center or Alderman's Court ('guilty mail in') or online
You hold a Class D license—CDL holders still receive points
Speeding suspensions start at one month for 25 mph over and grow by one month for each additional 5 mph. Reinstatement requires a behavior modification/attitudinal-driving course completed within the previous two years.
An occupational license may be issued for extreme hardship during a Problem Driver suspension—but never in the first month, not after two such suspensions in three years or an occupational license in the past 12 months, and not while calculated points are 15 or more.
Conviction of three or more offenses from one continuous episode, such as failure to yield, unsafe lane change, disregarding a traffic device, following too closely, passing on a shoulder or speeding.
A first aggressive driving offense brings a fine of $100.00 to $300.00 and a required behavioral modification/attitudinal-driving course within 90 days of conviction. Skipping the course means suspension.
An approved defensive driving course may earn a three-point credit used only for future DMV administrative actions. It doesn't remove existing points or lower the point total used for insurance and employment, and it's valid for three years.
You're clocked at 78 mph in a 50 zone—28 over. That's a 1-month suspension, but because you're 25–29 over you may choose the behavior modification course instead. At 80 mph (30 over) the suspension would be mandatory.
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.
A first speeding violation of 1-14 mph over the limit will not be assessed points if
the driver requests a hearing
it is a first offense in 3 years paid as a guilty mail-in
the driver was on a highway with a 55 mph limit
the driver completes a defensive driving course
Answer: it is a first offense in 3 years paid as a guilty mail-in
Point credit applies to a first 1-14 mph speeding violation within 3 years paid through the Voluntary Assessment Center as a guilty mail-in, for Class D holders only.
Completing an approved defensive driving course removes existing points already on your driving record.
True
False
Answer: False
A defensive driving course only provides a three-point credit toward future violations for administrative purposes; it does not remove existing points.