Delaware suspends your license when you reach 12 points in a 12-month period, or 18 points in a 24-month period

Delaware's Division of Motor Vehicles uses a point system to track unsafe driving. Every traffic violation you're convicted of adds points to your record. Once you hit 12 points within 12 months, or 18 points within 24 months, the DMV will suspend your license automatically. You don't have to wait for a hearing — the suspension takes effect based on the dates of your convictions.

The point threshold is the same whether you're a first-time offender or have prior suspensions. What changes is how long the suspension lasts and what you must do to get your license back. A first suspension is typically 3 months; a second is 6 months; a third or later suspension can be 12 months or longer.

Points stay on your record for a set time. Most violations drop off after 3 years from the conviction date, though some serious offenses remain longer. This means you could drop below the suspension threshold straightforward by waiting for older points to age off — but only if you don't get new violations in the meantime.

Key Takeaways

  • You face suspension at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, whichever comes first.
  • Common violations like speeding add 2 to 4 points; reckless driving or DUI add 6 to 12 points.
  • Points expire 3 years from the conviction date for most violations, but serious offenses like DUI stay longer.
  • Your first suspension lasts 3 months; second and third suspensions are longer and may require a hearing before reinstatement.
  • You can request a hearing to contest the suspension if you believe the DMV made an error in calculating your points.

How points are assigned for common Delaware violations

Delaware assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding carries 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were. Unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and following too closely are typically 3 points each. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) is 12 points on its own — meaning a single DUI conviction can suspend your license when ready if you already have any points.

Hit-and-run, fleeing police, and driving with a suspended license are also serious violations that carry high point values. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license adds 12 points. These violations can push you over the threshold in one conviction.

Not every traffic ticket results in points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some administrative infractions do not add points to your driving record. You can ask the officer or the court clerk whether a specific violation carries points before you decide how to handle the ticket.

The difference between 12 months and 24 months

Delaware uses two separate time windows to calculate whether you've reached the suspension threshold. The first is a 12-month rolling period: if you accumulate 12 or more points in any 12-month span, your license is suspended. The second is a 24-month rolling period: if you accumulate 18 or more points in any 24-month span, your license is also suspended.

This means you could stay below 12 points in the last year but still be suspended if you have 18 points in the last two years. The DMV checks both windows automatically when you're convicted of a violation. Whichever threshold you hit first triggers the suspension.

The rolling period resets as time passes. If you received a violation 13 months ago, it no longer counts toward your 12-month window — but it still counts toward your 24-month window until 24 months have passed. This is why waiting for points to age off can eventually bring you back into compliance, even without a hearing.

What happens when you reach the suspension threshold

When the DMV determines you've reached 12 or 18 points, they send you a notice of suspension by mail. The suspension typically takes effect 10 days after you receive the notice, giving you time to arrange alternative transportation. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even for work or medical appointments, unless you obtain a hardship license (also called a work permit).

A hardship license allows you to drive only for specific purposes: work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs like DUI classes. You must request it from the DMV and show that you have a genuine need. Not everyone is granted a hardship license — it depends on the reason for your suspension and your driving history.

If you believe the DMV made an error in counting your points, you can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence that a conviction was dismissed, that points were miscalculated, or that a violation should not have been counted. The hearing officer will review your record and decide whether the suspension should stand.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record online through the Delaware DMV website or by visiting a DMV office in person. The online system shows your current points, the violations that added them, and the dates those violations will drop off your record. Checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension and whether older points are about to expire.

Your driving record is not the same as your insurance record. Insurance companies may see your violations and adjust your rates or drop you, even if you haven't been suspended. Some violations that don't add DMV points — like at-fault accidents — still affect your insurance. Ask your insurance company what they see on your record if you're unsure.

If you see violations on your record that you don't recognize or believe are incorrect, contact the DMV when ready. Errors can happen if a conviction was dismissed, if you were found not guilty, or if paperwork was filed incorrectly. The DMV can correct the record, but you need to provide documentation like a court order or dismissal letter.

Suspension length based on your history

Your first license suspension in Delaware lasts 3 months. If you're suspended a second time, the suspension is 6 months. A third suspension is 12 months. If you accumulate a fourth suspension, it can be 12 months or longer, and the DMV may require you to complete a defensive driving course or attend a hearing before your license is restored.

The clock for "first," "second," or "third" suspension resets after a certain period without a suspension. If you go 5 years without being suspended again, a new suspension would be treated as a first suspension (3 months) rather than a second. This gives drivers a chance to rebuild their record, though the points themselves may still be visible for 3 years.

Reinstatement after suspension requires paying a reinstatement fee to the DMV. The fee varies but is typically $100 to $200. You must also provide proof of insurance before your license is restored. If you were suspended for DUI or DWI, you may need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle and provide proof of installation before reinstatement.

How to avoid reaching the suspension threshold

The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. Each violation you prevent keeps you further from the 12-point threshold. If you're already close to suspension, even one more ticket could trigger it. Defensive driving courses can sometimes reduce points after a violation — check with the DMV or the court that handled your ticket to see if this option is available for your specific violation.

If you've already been suspended once, be especially careful during the period when you're rebuilding your record. A second suspension comes faster (at 12 points again, but with a 6-month suspension instead of 3 months). Some drivers find it helpful to set a personal limit — staying well below 12 points — to give themselves a safety margin.

Points expire 3 years from the conviction date for most violations. If you can avoid new violations for 3 years, older points will drop off and you'll have a fresh start. This is a longer timeline than a suspension, but it's a path forward if you're willing to drive carefully and wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can request a hearing to contest the suspension if you believe the DMV made an error. If the hearing officer agrees, the suspension can be lifted when ready. Otherwise, you must wait out the full suspension period (3 months for a first suspension) before you can request reinstatement. You cannot shorten a valid suspension by paying a fee or taking a course.

Do points from other states count toward Delaware's suspension threshold?

Delaware counts violations from other states if you were convicted in those states and the conviction is reported to Delaware's system. However, the point values may differ — Delaware uses its own point scale. If you move to Delaware or are convicted in another state, ask the DMV how it will be recorded on your Delaware record.

What if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation worth 12 points. This can result in a new suspension when ready after your current one ends, or it can extend your current suspension. It also carries criminal penalties including fines and possible jail time. Do not drive during a suspension, even for short trips.

Will a defensive driving course reduce my points?

Some violations in Delaware allow you to take a defensive driving course to reduce or remove points, but this is not automatic. You must ask the court or the DMV whether the course is an option for your specific violation. If approved, the course typically removes 3 points and must be completed within a set timeframe. You can only use this option once every 3 years.

How long do points stay on my record?

Most violations drop off your record 3 years from the conviction date. DUI and DWI convictions stay on your record for 10 years. Once points expire, they no longer count toward the suspension threshold, but the conviction itself may still be visible on background checks or to insurance companies.