What Texas Driver License Points Are

Driver license points in Texas are marks added to your driving record when you commit certain traffic violations. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) tracks these points, and they stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation. Points don't appear on your license itself — they're recorded in a database that insurance companies, courts, and law enforcement can access.

The point system exists to identify unsafe drivers and encourage safer behavior on the road. Different violations carry different point values. A minor infraction like speeding might add one or two points, while reckless driving or a collision could add three or more. If you accumulate too many points within a set timeframe, the state can suspend your license.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas assigns points based on the type of violation, ranging from one point for minor infractions to six points for serious offenses like driving without a license.
  • Points remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date, even if you pay the fine or complete traffic school.
  • Accumulating 4 or more points within 12 months, 6 or more within 24 months, or 8 or more within 36 months can trigger a license suspension.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points by one point and lower your insurance rates, but only if you haven't taken the course in the past 12 months.
  • Your insurance company may raise your rates based on points, even if your license is not suspended.

Common Texas Traffic Violations and Their Point Values

Texas assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Speeding carries one or two points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Running a red light or stop sign is two points. Unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and improper turns are each two points. Reckless driving — driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety — is four points.

More serious violations carry higher point values. Driving without a valid license is six points. Hit-and-run accidents are six points. Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is six points. Causing an accident while committing a traffic violation is three points. If you're convicted of a violation that caused an accident, the court may add points beyond the base violation amount.

Not every traffic ticket results in points. Parking violations, expired registration, and equipment violations (like a broken taillight) typically do not add points to your driving record, though you still have to pay the fine.

When Your License Gets Suspended for Too Many Points

Texas uses a three-tier system to determine when suspension happens. If you accumulate 4 or more points within 12 months, 6 or more points within 24 months, or 8 or more points within 36 months, the DPS will suspend your license. The suspension is automatic — you don't have to be convicted of a crime, only to have the points recorded on your record.

When the DPS decides to suspend your license, they will mail you a notice. The notice tells you the reason for suspension, the effective date, and how long the suspension will last. A first suspension typically lasts 30 to 90 days, depending on how many points triggered it. If you receive multiple suspensions, later ones can last longer.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a criminal offense that can result in arrest, fines, and jail time. If you need to drive during a suspension — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — you may request an occupational license from the district court in your county, though approval is not may provide.

How to Check Your Points and Driving Record

You can view your driving record through the Texas DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person. Online, you'll need to create an account on the DPS portal and pay a small fee (typically around $7 to $10) to see your record. The record shows all violations, points, suspensions, and other actions taken against your license.

Your insurance company also receives a copy of your driving record and uses it to set your rates. Even if you don't lose your license, points can cause your premiums to increase significantly. Some insurers raise rates by 10 to 30 percent after a single violation, and the increase can last three to five years.

You should check your record at least once a year to make sure it's accurate. If you see a violation you don't recognize or believe was recorded incorrectly, you can dispute it with the DPS or request a hearing.

Reducing Points Through Defensive Driving

Texas allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course, also called a traffic safety course. Completing the course removes one point from your record and may lower your insurance rates. However, you can only use this option once every 12 months, and you cannot take the course more than once every three years for insurance discount purposes.

To take a defensive driving course, you must first receive a ticket or citation. You cannot take the course preemptively to prevent points. When you receive a ticket, the officer or the court may give you the option to take the course instead of paying the fine or going to trial — this is called "deferred adjudication" in some cases. If you're offered this option, taking the course is usually the better choice because it keeps the violation off your record entirely.

Defensive driving courses are offered online and in person by approved providers throughout Texas. Online courses typically take four to six hours to complete and cost between $25 and $50. In-person courses usually take one full day. After you complete the course, you'll receive a certificate that you submit to the court or to your insurance company.

What Happens After a Suspension Ends

When your suspension period ends, your license is not automatically restored. You must take action to reinstate it. First, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee to the DPS, which is typically $100 to $200. You may also need to pay any outstanding fines or court costs related to the violations that caused the suspension.

In some cases, the DPS may require you to pass a written test or vision test before reinstatement. If your suspension was related to a DUI or DWI, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected on your breath.

After reinstatement, your points remain on your record for the full three years from the violation date. This means you can accumulate more points and trigger another suspension if you receive additional violations. However, once three years have passed since a violation, that violation no longer counts toward the point total that triggers suspension.

How Points Affect Your Insurance and Future Driving

Insurance companies in Texas use your driving record to determine your rates. Points directly impact how much you pay for car insurance. A single violation can increase your premiums by hundreds of dollars per year. Multiple violations or a suspension can make you uninsurable with standard insurers, forcing you to seek coverage from high-risk pools that charge much higher rates.

Points also affect your ability to hold certain jobs. If you drive for work — as a delivery driver, rideshare driver, truck driver, or in any commercial capacity — violations and points can disqualify you or make you ineligible for rehire. Some employers check driving records as part of their hiring process, even for jobs that don't involve driving.

The best way to protect your driving record is to follow traffic laws, drive defensively, and avoid violations. If you do receive a ticket, understand your options: you can pay the fine, contest the ticket in court, or take a defensive driving course if offered. Each choice has different consequences for your record and your insurance rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points go away after three years?

Points remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date, but they stop counting toward suspension after that time. This means a violation from four years ago won't be included in the point total that triggers a suspension, but it may still appear on your record and affect your insurance rates.

Can I get a point removed without taking a defensive driving course?

No. In Texas, the only way to remove a point from your record is to complete a defensive driving course, and you can do this only once every 12 months. You cannot petition the DPS to remove points for any other reason.

What's the difference between points and a conviction?

A conviction is a court finding that you committed the violation. Points are automatically added to your record based on the violation type. You can have points without a conviction if you take a defensive driving course or if the court defers adjudication, but you will have a conviction if you plead guilty or are found guilty at trial.

Will my license be suspended when ready after I get a ticket?

No. The DPS reviews your record periodically and sends you a notice before suspending your license. However, if you're arrested for driving with a suspended license, you can be arrested on the spot. Check your record regularly so you know if you're close to the suspension threshold.

Can I drive to work on an occupational license during a suspension?

You may be able to request an occupational license from your district court, which allows limited driving for work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered activities. However, approval is not may provide, and you must show the court that the suspension causes you undue hardship.