Every traffic conviction and crash on your record carries points. Pile up too many in 12 months and the state moves to suspend your license. Teens have a much lower limit than adults.
Know the rule
Points come from court conviction reports and officers' crash reports sent to the Department of Safety.
Handbook p. 100 ↗Point thresholds (within any 12 months)
| Driver | Advisory letter | Notice of proposed suspension |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 18 or older | 6 to 11 points | 12 or more points |
| Juvenile, under 18 | 1 to 5 points | 6 or more points |
Know the rule
You may take a Defensive Driving Course to avoid a suspension or shorten it — but only once in any five-year period. After a hearing, the Department may also use re-exams, restrictions and probation.
Handbook p. 100 ↗Speeding points
| Over the limit | Points | In a construction zone |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 mph | 1 | 2 |
| 6–15 mph | 3 | 4 |
| 16–25 mph | 4 | 5 |
| 26–35 mph | 5 | 6 |
| 36–45 mph | 6 | 8 |
| 46 mph or more | 8 | 8 |
| Speed not indicated | 3 | 4 |
Common violations
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Reckless driving | 6 |
| Reckless endangerment by vehicle | 8 |
| Careless or negligent driving | 4 |
| Failing to yield right-of-way | 4 |
| Improper passing | 4 |
| Following improperly | 3 |
| Passing a stopped school, church or youth bus | 8 |
| Failing to stop at a railroad crossing | 8 |
More violations
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Cell phone use while driving (under 18) | 6 |
| Leaving the scene of a crash | 5 |
| Failing to report a crash | 4 |
| No license in your possession | 2 |
| Driving while suspended, revoked or canceled | 8 |
| Fleeing a law enforcement officer | 8 |
| Child endangerment | 8 |
| Driving slower than the posted minimum | 3 |
Crash points
| Contributing to a crash causing | Points |
|---|---|
| Property damage | 3 |
| Bodily injury | 4 |
| Death of another person | 8 |
Put it into practice
A 17-year-old gets a ticket for 20 mph over the limit (4 points) and later a cell phone ticket (6 points). That's 10 points — well past the 6 that triggers a proposed suspension for drivers under 18.