Where to check your Texas driving record online
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lets you view your driving record through their official website without paying a fee. Go to dps.texas.gov, find the "Driver License" section, and look for the link to check your driving record online. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.
The online system shows your current points, any suspensions or restrictions, and a history of traffic violations and accidents on your record. This is the fastest way to check — you get your information when ready and can print or save the results right away. The system is available 24 hours a day.
If you cannot access the online system or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the DPS Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6900. A representative can read your record to you over the phone, though this takes longer than checking online yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Texas uses a points system where traffic violations add points to your record, and accumulating too many points triggers a suspension.
- You can check your current points free through the DPS website at dps.texas.gov using your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Most violations stay on your record for three years from the conviction date, though serious violations like DWI remain longer.
- If you reach 6 points within 12 months, your license will be suspended for at least 30 days.
How Texas points work and what violations cost
Texas assigns points to your driving record based on the type of violation. A speeding ticket typically costs 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Reckless driving, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield each add 2 points. More serious violations like at-fault accidents or driving with an expired license add 3 points. A DWI conviction adds 6 points by itself.
The state tracks these points for three years from the date you were convicted, not from the date of the ticket. This means if you got a speeding ticket today but did not go to court or pay the fine until six months from now, the three-year clock starts when you are convicted, not when you were pulled over.
Once you reach 6 points within a 12-month period, the DPS will suspend your license automatically. You do not have to wait for a hearing — the suspension takes effect. If you accumulate 8 points within 24 months or 12 points within 36 months, you also face suspension.
What happens when you reach suspension points
When your points trigger a suspension, the DPS mails you a notice at the address on your license. The notice tells you when the suspension starts and how long it will last. A first suspension for reaching 6 points in 12 months lasts at least 30 days. If you accumulate points again after your license is reinstated, future suspensions last longer — typically 60 days or more.
You cannot drive legally during a suspension, even with a permit. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries fines and can result in jail time. Once your suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DPS (currently $100) before your license becomes active again.
If you want to drive before your suspension ends, you may be able to request an occupational license, which allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court. An occupational license is not automatic — you have to request it and show the court that you have a genuine need to drive during the suspension period.
How to reduce points through defensive driving
Texas allows you to remove one point from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can take this course once every 12 months, so if you have accumulated 4 points, you could take the course twice over two years to remove 2 points total. The course does not erase violations from your record — it only removes the points.
You must take the course before you are convicted of a violation to use it as a defense in traffic court. If you take it after conviction, it will not reduce the points from that ticket. Some people take a defensive driving course preemptively to build up a credit they can use if they get a ticket later.
The course can be taken online or in person and usually takes four to six hours to complete. You will pay a course fee (typically $20 to $50) and must pass a final exam. Once you finish, the course provider sends your completion certificate to you and to the court or DPS, depending on how you used it.
Reading your driving record for violations and suspensions
Your Texas driving record shows three main sections: your current status, your violation history, and any administrative actions. The current status tells you whether your license is valid, suspended, or restricted. It also displays your current point total and the date each point will drop off your record (three years from conviction).
The violation history lists every traffic conviction in the past three years, including the date of the violation, the type of violation, the points assessed, and whether you paid a fine. Accidents appear here too, even if you were not cited — the DPS records at-fault accidents as violations worth 3 points.
Administrative actions show any suspensions, revocations, or restrictions the DPS has placed on your license. This section also notes if you have an occupational license, a hardship license, or any other special driving privilege. If you see a suspension you do not recognize, contact the DPS when ready because it may indicate an error or a violation you were not aware of.
Checking your record before renewing your license
You should check your driving record before you renew your license to make sure there are no surprises. If your record shows an active suspension or revocation, the DPS will not renew your license until you resolve it. Checking ahead gives you time to pay any outstanding fines, complete a defensive driving course, or request an occupational license if you need one.
Texas renews driver's licenses online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. If you renew online or by mail and your record has a suspension, your renewal will be rejected. You will have to visit a DPS office in person to sort out the issue before you can renew.
If you have points but no suspension, you can renew normally. However, if you are close to the suspension threshold (4 or 5 points), consider taking a defensive driving course before you renew so that you start your next three-year cycle with fewer points.
Disputing errors on your driving record
If your record shows a violation you did not commit or points that were assessed incorrectly, you can request a correction from the DPS. Contact the Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6900 or visit a local DPS office with documentation of the error — for example, a court document showing the charge was dismissed or a letter from the court stating the conviction was overturned.
The DPS will investigate your request and contact the court that handled your case to verify the information. If the court confirms the error, the DPS will remove the violation and points from your record. This process can take several weeks, so request a correction as soon as you discover the error.
If a violation appears on your record but you were never notified of it, this often means the court sent paperwork to an old address. Check your record regularly so you catch these issues before they cause a suspension. If you find an old violation you did not know about, contact the court that issued it to understand what happened and whether you can still contest it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do points stay on my Texas driving record?
Points stay on your record for three years from the date you were convicted, not from the date of the violation. After three years, the points drop off automatically and no longer count toward suspension. However, the violation itself may remain visible on your record for longer depending on the type of offense.
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No. Texas law restricts access to driving records. You can only view your own record online using your license number and personal information. If you need someone else's record for insurance or legal purposes, that person must request it themselves or provide written permission for you to request it on their behalf.
What if I get a ticket but do not pay it — does it add points right away?
No. Points are added only after you are convicted, which happens when you plead guilty, plead no contest, or are found guilty in court. If you receive a ticket and ignore it, you may face additional charges for failure to appear, but the original violation does not add points until there is a conviction.
Will my insurance company see my points?
Yes. Insurance companies can access your driving record and will see all violations and points. Traffic violations typically raise your insurance rates for three to five years, even after the points drop off your DPS record. Some violations, like DWI, affect your rates for much longer.
Can I get points removed without taking a defensive driving course?
Only if the violation is dismissed or overturned in court. The defensive driving course is the only way to voluntarily remove a point after conviction. You cannot pay a fee to the DPS to remove points — the only options are court action or the defensive driving course.