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

Illinois uses a point system to track driving violations. Each violation you're convicted of adds a certain number of points to your driving record. When your points hit 12 within one year, or 18 within two years, the Secretary of State automatically suspends your license. You don't have to wait for a hearing or a letter — the suspension takes effect on the date the conviction is recorded.

The point threshold is the same whether you're 16 or 66. It doesn't matter if you have a clean record otherwise or if you've never had a ticket before — the math is the same. Once you hit the number, your license is suspended until you meet the conditions to get it back.

Key Takeaways

  • Twelve points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months triggers an automatic suspension in Illinois.
  • Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket is 5 points, but reckless driving is 6 points.
  • Points stay on your record for five years from the conviction date, so an old violation can still count toward your total.
  • You can request a hearing before the Secretary of State to challenge the suspension, but you must do so within 30 days of receiving notice.
  • Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points on your record, but only for certain violations and only once every 12 months.

How points are assigned to different violations

Not all violations are worth the same number of points. Illinois assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Speeding is 5 points. Improper lane change is 5 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Failure to yield is 4 points. Running a red light is 4 points.

Some violations carry no points at all — parking tickets, for example, or equipment violations like a broken taillight. Those won't move you toward suspension, but they can still result in fines.

The point value is set by state law, not by the officer or the court. So if you're convicted of speeding, you get 5 points no matter which county you were ticketed in or which judge heard your case.

When points are added to your record

Points are added on the date you're convicted, not the date you were ticketed. If you pay a fine, you've been convicted. If you plead guilty or no contest, you've been convicted. If you go to trial and lose, you've been convicted. The conviction date is what matters for the point calculation.

This is important because you might get a ticket on January 15, but not be convicted until March 20. The 12-month window starts from March 20, not January 15. If you're close to the suspension threshold, the timing of your conviction can determine whether you stay legal or get suspended.

How long points stay on your record

Points remain on your driving record for five years from the conviction date. This means a violation from three years ago still counts toward your current total. If you had 10 points from violations in the past two years, and you get convicted of a 5-point violation today, you now have 15 points — which exceeds the 12-point threshold for a 12-month suspension.

After five years, the points drop off automatically. You don't have to do anything. The Secretary of State's computer removes them. But until that five-year mark passes, they count.

Defensive driving courses and point reduction

You can reduce points on your record by completing a defensive driving course approved by the Illinois Secretary of State. The course removes up to 4 points from your record. You can take the course once every 12 months, so the maximum reduction is 4 points per year.

Not all violations are may be able to access for point reduction through a course. Violations involving alcohol, drugs, or reckless driving cannot be reduced this way. Speeding, improper lane change, and failure to yield typically can be. Check with the court that handled your ticket to confirm whether your specific violation is may be able to access.

The course must be completed before you request the point reduction. You'll need to provide proof of completion to the Secretary of State. The reduction is not automatic — you have to ask for it.

What happens when you reach the suspension threshold

When your points hit 12 in 12 months or 18 in 24 months, the Secretary of State issues a notice of suspension. The suspension takes effect 15 days after the notice is mailed. During those 15 days, you can still drive legally, but after that, driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.

You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. You must request it within 30 days of receiving the notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the conviction was wrong, or that the points were calculated incorrectly. You cannot argue that the point system itself is unfair — that's the law. But you can argue that the facts of your case don't match the conviction on record.

Getting your license back after suspension

To have your license reinstated, you must wait out the suspension period. A first suspension typically lasts three months. If you're suspended again within five years, the next suspension is usually six months. A third suspension within five years is typically one year.

Before you can drive again, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State. The fee varies but is typically between $100 and $500 depending on the reason for suspension. You may also need to provide proof of insurance and pass a vision test.

If you were suspended for driving with a suspended license, or for certain other serious violations, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 form from your insurance company before reinstatement. This is a certificate that proves you have liability insurance. Your insurer files it with the Secretary of State on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive during the 15 days between when I get the suspension notice and when it takes effect?

Yes. The suspension doesn't become active until 15 days after the notice is mailed. You can drive legally during that window. After the 15 days end, driving is illegal and can result in criminal charges.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Illinois suspension?

Yes, if you were convicted in another state. Illinois counts out-of-state convictions toward your point total. The points are converted to Illinois equivalents based on the type of violation. A speeding conviction in Wisconsin, for example, counts as 5 points in Illinois.

If I get a ticket dismissed, do the points go away?

If the ticket is dismissed or you're found not guilty, no conviction is recorded and no points are added. Points only appear when there's a conviction. A dismissal removes any points that were added if you had previously pleaded guilty or paid a fine for that ticket.

Can I reduce points if I'm already suspended?

You can still take a defensive driving course while suspended, but the point reduction won't take effect until after your suspension ends and your license is reinstated. The course doesn't stop the suspension or shorten it — it only reduces the points on your record going forward.

What's the difference between suspension and revocation in Illinois?

Suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, after which you can get it back by meeting the requirements. Revocation is permanent or long-term — your license is cancelled and you must reapply from scratch, often after a waiting period. Point accumulation leads to suspension. Serious violations like DUI lead to revocation.