Indiana's Point System and License Suspension

Indiana suspends your driver's license when you accumulate 15 points within a two-year period. The state uses a points system where traffic violations — speeding, reckless driving, unsafe lane changes, and other infractions — add points to your record. Once you hit 15, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will suspend your license automatically.

The two-year window is important: points from violations older than two years do not count toward the 15-point threshold. This means a violation from three years ago will not push you toward suspension, even though it remains on your driving record. However, if you accumulate violations within any rolling two-year period, you are moving closer to suspension.

Understanding how many points each violation carries helps you see how quickly suspension can happen. A single serious violation can add several points at once, while minor infractions add fewer. The BMV tracks your points automatically, so you do not have to calculate them yourself — but knowing the system helps you understand the risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Indiana license suspends automatically when you reach 15 points within any two-year period.
  • Different violations carry different point values: speeding 10 mph over the limit is 2 points, while reckless driving is 6 points.
  • Points older than two years do not count toward the 15-point threshold, but they remain on your permanent record.
  • The BMV sends notice before suspension takes effect, giving you time to understand what happened and what comes next.
  • Suspension length depends on how many points caused it: 15 to 20 points means 30 days, 21 to 30 points means 90 days, and 31 or more points means one year.

Common Violations and Their Point Values

Indiana assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Speeding violations are among the most common: driving 1 to 15 mph over the limit is 2 points, 16 to 25 mph over is 4 points, and 26 mph or more over is 8 points. A single high-speed violation can add a significant chunk toward your 15-point threshold.

More serious violations carry heavier point penalties. Reckless driving is 6 points. Unsafe lane changes, improper passing, and following too closely are each 4 points. Driving without a valid license, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and hit-and-run are each 8 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 8 points on its own, though it often triggers separate suspension rules that are stricter than the point system.

Minor violations like parking tickets or equipment violations (broken headlight, expired registration) do not add points — they are civil infractions, not moving violations. Only moving violations (things you do while driving) count toward the 15-point threshold.

How Suspension Length Depends on Your Total Points

Once you reach 15 points, suspension is not a single fixed length — it depends on how many points you have accumulated. The BMV uses brackets to determine how long your license stays suspended.

If your total is 15 to 20 points, your license suspends for 30 days. If you reach 21 to 30 points, suspension is 90 days. If you accumulate 31 or more points, your license suspends for one full year. These brackets explore within the two-year rolling window, so the more violations you rack up in a short time, the longer the suspension.

After your suspension period ends, your license is reinstated — but your points remain on your record for two years from the date of each violation. This means you could be reinstated after 30 days but still have points counting toward a future suspension if you get more violations.

What Happens When the BMV Suspends Your License

The BMV does not suspend your license without notice. When you reach 15 points, the BMV mails you a suspension notice that explains your total points, which violations caused them, and when your suspension begins. You typically have time between receiving the notice and the suspension taking effect, though the exact timeline depends on how the violations were processed.

Once suspension is in effect, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including potential jail time and additional fines. If you are stopped while your license is suspended, you will face charges beyond the original suspension.

To get your license back after suspension ends, you must visit an Indiana BMV branch in person. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (the amount varies) and provide proof of identity and residence. The BMV will not automatically reinstate your license — you have to request it.

How to Check Your Current Points

You can check how many points are on your Indiana driving record by visiting the BMV website or calling your local BMV branch. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. Some BMV branches also allow you to check your record in person.

Checking your record is useful if you have received multiple violations recently and want to know how close you are to the 15-point threshold. It also helps you verify that violations have been recorded correctly — if you believe a violation was entered wrong, you can dispute it with the BMV.

Your driving record is public information, so you can request it anytime. Some people check it annually just to stay aware of where they stand, especially if they have had a few violations in recent years.

Points That Do Not Count Toward Suspension

Not all violations add points to your record. Parking violations, equipment violations (expired registration, broken taillight), and non-moving infractions do not count. These are civil infractions, not moving violations, and they do not affect your suspension threshold.

Violations from more than two years ago also do not count toward the 15-point threshold, even though they remain on your permanent driving record. If you had a 6-point reckless driving violation two years and one month ago, it no longer counts toward suspension — but it is still visible on your record if someone pulls it.

Some violations may be dismissed or reduced in traffic court. If you contest a ticket and the court reduces the charge or dismisses it, the points associated with the original charge are removed from your record. This is one reason people sometimes fight traffic tickets — reducing the charge can keep you below the 15-point threshold.

What You Can Do to Avoid Suspension

The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. But if you have already accumulated points, you have a few options. You can take a defensive driving course, which removes up to 4 points from your record (you can do this once every five years). This will not eliminate all your points, but it can buy you time if you are approaching 15.

You can also contest violations in traffic court. If you believe a ticket was issued unfairly or the officer made an error, you can request a hearing. If the court finds in your favor, the violation is dismissed and no points are added. Even if you do not win, the process gives you a chance to present your side.

If you are close to 15 points, being extra careful with your driving for the next few months can make a real difference. Points expire two years from the violation date, so if you can avoid new violations until older ones age off, you may never reach suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before reaching 15?

Yes. Taking a defensive driving course removes up to 4 points and can be done once every five years. You can also contest a ticket in court — if dismissed, the points are removed. Points also automatically fall off two years after the violation date.

What if I get suspended — can I drive to work?

No. A suspended license means you cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period. Driving to work, the store, or anywhere else is a separate criminal offense. Some people seek a hardship license, but Indiana does not routinely grant these for work purposes.

Do points from out-of-state violations count in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you get a speeding ticket in Ohio or Kentucky, those points transfer to your Indiana record and count toward the 15-point threshold.

How long do points stay on my record after suspension ends?

Points remain on your record for two years from the date of each violation, regardless of whether you were suspended. After two years, they no longer count toward future suspension, but they stay on your permanent driving history.

What happens if I get suspended twice in a short time?

Each suspension is separate. If you are reinstated after a 30-day suspension and then accumulate 15 more points within two years, you face another suspension — this time potentially for 90 days or longer, depending on your total points at that time.