Texas uses a points system, but suspension happens at a specific threshold, not from points alone

Texas tracks driving violations using a points system, but your license does not suspend because you accumulate a certain number of points. Instead, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspends your license when you reach a threshold within a specific time window. For drivers 18 and older, accumulating 6 or more points within a 36-month period triggers a mandatory suspension. For drivers under 18, the threshold is 4 points in 12 months. The suspension is automatic — you do not have to be convicted in court, and you do not have to be notified in advance by DPS, though you will receive notice after the suspension takes effect.

The points themselves come from specific violations. A single violation can carry anywhere from 1 to 6 points depending on the offense. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point; speeding 31 miles per hour or more over the limit is 6 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Failure to yield is 3 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points each. Violations that do not result in points — such as parking tickets or equipment violations — do not count toward the suspension threshold, even if you receive a citation.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas suspends your license when you accumulate 6 or more points within 36 months if you are 18 or older, or 4 or more points within 12 months if you are under 18.
  • Points are assigned based on the specific violation: speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 1 point, while speeding 31 mph or more is 6 points.
  • You can check your current point total by contacting DPS or viewing your driving record through the Texas DPS website.
  • Suspension takes effect automatically once you cross the threshold; you do not need a court order or a hearing before the suspension begins.

How points are assigned for common violations

Texas assigns points based on the severity of the violation and the circumstances. Speeding violations are the most common and carry points that scale with how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 1 point; 11 to 20 mph over is 2 points; 21 to 30 mph over is 4 points; and 31 mph or more over is 6 points. These points explore whether you were cited in a school zone, residential area, or highway.

Other moving violations carry fixed point values. Failure to yield the right of way is 3 points. Improper passing is 3 points. Following too closely is 2 points. Unsafe lane change is 2 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Driving with an expired license is 2 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points each, even if no citation was issued. Violations that result in a conviction in traffic court carry the same points as those handled by citation.

Some violations do not carry points at all. Parking violations, equipment violations (broken taillight, expired inspection sticker), and toll violations do not add to your point total. However, if you fail to pay a parking fine or toll, DPS may suspend your license for a different reason — non-payment — which is separate from the points system.

The 36-month window and how it resets

The points system uses a rolling 36-month window for drivers 18 and older. This means DPS looks back 36 months from today and counts all points assigned during that period. If you have 6 points and no new violations for 36 months, the oldest violation drops off the count, and your total resets. The window does not reset on a calendar year or on your birthday — it is based on the date each violation was assigned.

For example, if you received a 3-point violation on January 15, 2022, and a 4-point violation on February 1, 2022, those points are counted together until January 15, 2025, and February 1, 2025, respectively. If you receive no new violations between those dates, your point total drops below the suspension threshold as each violation ages out of the window. If you receive another violation before either date, the new points are added to the existing total.

Drivers under 18 operate under a 12-month window instead. A single 4-point violation can trigger suspension for a minor, or two 2-point violations within 12 months will reach the threshold. The 12-month window is shorter, which means young drivers have less time to avoid accumulating points before suspension becomes automatic.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record and current point total through the Texas DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person. The online method is faster: go to the DPS Driver Records page, select "Order Your Driving Record Online," and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record costs a small fee (typically $7 to $10) and is delivered by email or mail depending on your choice.

Alternatively, you can visit any DPS office and request a copy of your driving record in person. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay the same fee. The record will show every violation on your record for the past three years, the points assigned to each, and the date each violation was recorded. This record is the official source — it is what DPS uses to determine whether you have crossed the suspension threshold.

If you have received a citation but have not yet seen it on your record, wait at least two weeks after the citation date before checking. Citations take time to be processed and entered into the DPS system. If a citation does not appear after three weeks, contact the court that issued the citation to confirm it was filed.

What happens when you reach the suspension threshold

Once you accumulate 6 points (or 4 if you are under 18), DPS automatically suspends your license. You do not receive a warning or a chance to take a defensive driving course to avoid suspension — the suspension is mandatory. DPS will mail you a notice of suspension, but the suspension takes effect before the notice arrives. This means you could be driving with a suspended license without knowing it.

To find out whether your license is currently suspended, check your driving record online or call DPS. If your license is suspended due to points, the suspension notice will specify the suspension period. For a first suspension due to points, the suspension typically lasts 90 days. If you accumulate points again and trigger a second suspension within five years, the second suspension lasts 180 days. A third suspension within five years lasts one year.

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Texas. You can be charged with driving with a suspended license even if you did not know your license was suspended. The penalty includes a fine of up to $500, possible jail time, and additional points on your record (2 points for driving with a suspended license). This can push you further over the threshold and extend your suspension period.

Options if your license is suspended for points

If your license is suspended due to points, you cannot straightforward wait out the suspension and resume driving. You must take specific steps to have your license reinstated. First, you must wait until the suspension period ends. You cannot request early reinstatement for a points-based suspension — the full period must pass. Second, you must pay a reinstatement fee to DPS. This fee is typically $100 to $150 and must be paid before your license is restored.

Third, you must complete a defensive driving course. Texas requires drivers suspended for points to complete an approved defensive driving course before reinstatement. This course is not the same as the traffic school you might take to dismiss a ticket — it is a separate, longer course focused on safe driving practices. You can take the course online or in person, and it typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete. Once you finish, you will receive a certificate of completion, which you must submit to DPS along with your reinstatement fee.

Some drivers are tempted to drive during the suspension period, thinking they will pay the fine later. This is a serious mistake. Driving with a suspended license creates a criminal record, adds points to your record, and can result in vehicle impoundment. If you need to drive during your suspension, you may be able to request an occupational license, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical purposes. An occupational license requires a separate process and court approval, and it is not automatic.

How defensive driving courses and traffic school affect points

Texas allows drivers to take a defensive driving course to reduce points on their record, but only under specific conditions. You can take a defensive driving course once every 12 months and once every 35 months for insurance purposes. If you complete the course, DPS will reduce the points for one violation by 1 point. This means a 3-point violation becomes a 2-point violation, but a 1-point violation cannot be reduced further.

However, defensive driving courses do not prevent suspension if you have already crossed the threshold. If you have 6 points and take a defensive driving course, your total drops to 5 points, but you are still suspended. The course only helps you avoid future suspensions by keeping your point total below the threshold. Additionally, you cannot take a defensive driving course to reduce points if you are already suspended — you must complete the course as part of the reinstatement process, which is mandatory and separate.

Traffic school (also called "deferred adjudication" or "ticket dismissal") is different from defensive driving. If you receive a citation and the court allows you to attend traffic school instead of going to trial, you can have the citation dismissed. A dismissed citation does not result in points. However, traffic school is only available for certain violations and only if the court offers it — it is not your choice. You must request it from the court that issued the citation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back before the suspension period ends?

No. If your license is suspended due to points, you must wait until the full suspension period ends. You cannot request early reinstatement. However, you can explore for an occupational license, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical purposes, but this requires a separate court process and is not automatic.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Texas suspension?

Yes. Texas counts violations from other states if you were convicted or cited. The points assigned may differ from Texas point values, but DPS will convert them to the Texas equivalent. You can check your record to see how out-of-state violations are counted.

What if I was not convicted in court, only cited?

Points are assigned based on the citation, not the conviction. If you received a citation and paid the fine or pleaded no contest, points are assigned when ready. You do not have to be convicted in court for points to count toward suspension.

How long do points stay on my record?

Points stay on your driving record for 36 months from the date the violation was assigned. After 36 months, the points drop off and no longer count toward suspension. However, the violation itself remains on your record permanently for insurance and employment purposes.

If I take a defensive driving course now, will it prevent suspension?

Only if you have not yet reached 6 points. A defensive driving course reduces one violation by 1 point. If you currently have 5 points and take the course, you drop to 4 points and avoid suspension. If you already have 6 or more points, the course does not prevent suspension — you are already suspended and must complete the course as part of reinstatement.