Texas suspends your license when you accumulate 4 points within 12 months, 6 points within 24 months, or 8 points within 36 months
Texas uses a points system to track unsafe driving. Each traffic violation adds points to your record. When you hit certain thresholds within specific time windows, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) automatically suspends your license. You do not have to be convicted in court for points to count — a ticket you paid or pleaded no contest to will add points to your record.
The suspension happens at the point threshold, not after a hearing or warning. Once DPS notifies you that your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive until you meet the requirements to get it back. The point thresholds are the same for all drivers in Texas, regardless of age or driving history.
Key Takeaways
- Texas suspends your license automatically when you reach 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months — whichever threshold you hit first.
- Common violations that add points include speeding (1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit), at-fault accidents (3 points), and reckless driving (4 points).
- Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, so an old ticket may drop off and lower your total before you reach suspension.
- You can request a hearing before DPS to challenge the suspension, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
- Once suspended, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100) and meet any other conditions before you can drive legally again.
How Points Are Assigned to Common Texas Violations
Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit add 1 point. Speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit adds 2 points, and speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit adds 3 points. A single speeding ticket can push you closer to suspension depending on how far over you were going.
At-fault accidents add 3 points to your record. Reckless driving adds 4 points. Failure to yield, improper lane change, and following too closely each add 2 points. Driving without a valid license, driving with an expired license, and failure to maintain financial responsibility (no insurance) each add 2 points. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) adds 6 points, which alone puts you within striking distance of the 12-month threshold.
Violations that do not result in a conviction — such as a ticket you had dismissed or that was reduced to a non-moving violation — do not add points. If you complete a defensive driving course within 30 days of receiving a ticket, you may be able to remove 1 point from your record, though this option is limited to once every 12 months.
The Three Time Windows That Trigger Suspension
Texas measures your points across three overlapping time periods. If you accumulate 4 points in any 12-month period, your license is suspended. If you accumulate 6 points in any 24-month period, your license is suspended. If you accumulate 8 points in any 36-month period, your license is suspended. You only need to hit one of these thresholds to be suspended — DPS does not wait to see which one you reach first.
The time windows are rolling, not calendar-based. A violation from January 2023 is still counted toward your 12-month total until January 2024. Once that date passes, the violation drops off the 12-month count but remains on your 24-month and 36-month counts. This means an old ticket can disappear from one threshold while still affecting another.
If you receive multiple tickets on the same day, they all count toward the same time period. If you receive a ticket in month 11 of a 12-month window and another ticket in month 13, the second ticket starts a new 12-month window and does not combine with the first for that threshold — but both still count toward your 24-month and 36-month totals.
What Happens When You Reach the Suspension Point
When you reach a point threshold, DPS mails you a notice of suspension. The notice includes the date your suspension begins, the reason (which threshold you hit), and your options. Your license is suspended on the date stated in the notice, even if you have not received it yet. You should not drive after that date.
The suspension is not temporary. You cannot straightforward wait it out. To get your license back, you must pay a reinstatement fee to DPS (currently $100, though this amount can change) and meet any other conditions DPS lists in your suspension notice. Some suspensions also require you to carry an SR22 form (proof of financial responsibility) for a set period, or to complete a defensive driving course.
If you believe the suspension is wrong — for example, if you think a ticket should not have counted or if the points were calculated incorrectly — you can request a hearing. You have 10 days from the date on the suspension notice to request one. The hearing is held by DPS, not in traffic court. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer.
How to Check Your Current Points and Suspension Status
You can check your driving record and current points through the Texas DPS website. You will need your driver's license number and other identifying information. The record shows every violation on your file, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date it will drop off your record.
You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at a DPS office. There is a small fee for this service. Checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to a suspension threshold and can alert you to errors — for example, a ticket that was dismissed but still shows as a conviction.
If you see an error on your record, contact DPS when ready. Errors can include tickets that were dismissed, reduced to non-moving violations, or assigned to the wrong person. DPS can correct these mistakes, which may lower your point total and keep you from suspension.
Defensive Driving and Point Reduction Options
Texas allows you to remove 1 point from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months. The course is typically four to six hours long and can be taken online or in person. You must complete it within 30 days of receiving a ticket for the point reduction to explore to that specific violation.
Defensive driving is most useful if you are close to a suspension threshold and have time before your next point important date. For example, if you have 3 points and receive a ticket for 2 more points, completing defensive driving could bring you back to 4 points and avoid suspension. However, if you are already at 4 points in a 12-month window, defensive driving will not prevent the suspension that has already been triggered.
Some traffic violations cannot be reduced through defensive driving. DUI convictions, reckless driving, and violations involving an accident typically cannot be removed this way. Check with DPS or the course provider to confirm whether your specific violation is may be able to access.
What Happens After Suspension: Reinstatement and Requirements
To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay the reinstatement fee to DPS. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DPS office. Once you pay, your license is reinstated when ready if no other conditions explore. You can then legally drive again.
Some suspensions come with additional requirements. You may be required to carry an SR22 form for one to three years, which proves you have liability insurance. You may be required to complete a defensive driving course or an alcohol awareness program. Your suspension notice will list any requirements specific to your case.
If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, you can be suspended again. The points from your previous suspension do not disappear — they remain on your record for three years. This means if you were suspended for reaching 4 points in 12 months, and you receive 2 more points within the next 12 months, you could be suspended again for reaching 6 points in 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a work permit?
No. A work permit (also called a hardship license or occupational license) is different from a suspension. If your license is suspended for points, you are not automatically issued a work permit. You can request one from DPS, but approval is not may provide and depends on showing genuine hardship. Even with a work permit, you can only drive to specific places like work, school, or medical appointments.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Texas suspension?
Yes. If you are a Texas resident and receive a ticket in another state, that violation is reported to Texas and points are added to your Texas driving record. The points follow the Texas system, not the other state's system. Out-of-state violations count toward your Texas suspension thresholds.
What if I was not the driver when the ticket was issued?
Contact DPS when ready with proof that you were not driving — for example, a police report, witness statement, or documentation that someone else was cited. DPS can investigate and remove the ticket from your record if it was issued in error. This is one of the few ways to have a ticket removed before the three-year period ends.
How long does a suspension last if I do not pay the reinstatement fee?
Your license remains suspended indefinitely until you pay the reinstatement fee and meet any other conditions. There is no automatic end date. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to reinstate — you may face additional fees or requirements if your suspension has been in effect for a long time.
Can I get points removed if I take a defensive driving course before I get a ticket?
No. Defensive driving can only remove points from a specific ticket you have already received. Taking the course preemptively does not lower your existing points or prevent future points from being added. However, it may help you avoid a ticket in the first place if you are pulled over and the officer has discretion.