Texas suspends your license when you reach 6 points in a 3-year period

In Texas, the Department of Public Safety tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your points add up to 6 or more within 36 months, your license is automatically suspended. This is not a warning or a fine — it is a mandatory loss of driving privileges that you must address before you can legally drive again.

The suspension length depends on how many points you have. A first suspension for reaching 6 points lasts 30 days. If you accumulate points again and hit 6 a second time, the next suspension is 60 days. A third suspension within a five-year period lasts 180 days. Each time you are suspended, the clock resets, and points begin counting toward the next suspension threshold.

Understanding which violations add points to your record is the first step to keeping your license. Not every traffic ticket results in points — some violations carry fines only. But the ones that do can add up quickly, especially if you receive multiple tickets in a short time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Texas license suspends automatically when you reach 6 points within 36 months, with no warning or chance to contest the point total itself.
  • A first suspension lasts 30 days; a second suspension within five years lasts 60 days; a third lasts 180 days.
  • 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 drop off your record automatically after 36 months from the violation date, but only if you do not receive another violation in the meantime.
  • You can request a hearing with the Department of Public Safety if you believe the suspension was issued in error, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving notice.

Which violations put points on your Texas driving record

Not every traffic ticket adds points. Violations like parking infractions, expired registration, and broken equipment typically result in a fine only. But moving violations — things you do while driving — almost always add points to your record.

Speeding is the most common point violation. Going 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit adds 1 point. Speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit adds 2 points. Speeding 21 miles per hour or more over the limit adds 3 points. An at-fault accident adds 3 points to your record, even if no ticket was issued. Reckless driving adds 4 points. Driving without a valid license, driving with an expired license, and fleeing or eluding police each add 3 points.

Other violations that add points include failure to stop at a red light or stop sign (2 points), improper passing (2 points), following too closely (2 points), and driving under the influence — even a first DUI — which adds 6 points by itself. A single DUI conviction puts you at the suspension threshold when ready.

How the 36-month lookback window works

Texas counts points only from violations that occurred within the past 36 months. This means the date of the violation matters, not the date you received the ticket or the date you paid the fine. If you received a speeding ticket on January 15, 2022, that point counts toward your total until January 15, 2025. On January 16, 2025, it drops off automatically.

The 36-month window is a rolling period. As old violations age out, new ones take their place. If you have 5 points from violations spread across the past three years, and one of those violations reaches its three-year anniversary, you drop back to 4 points — even if you have not received any new tickets.

However, if you receive a new violation before an old one ages out, the points stack. This is why multiple tickets in a short time can quickly push you toward suspension. Two speeding tickets within six months, for example, adds 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were each time.

What happens when you reach 6 points

The Department of Public Safety does not send you a warning when you are close to 6 points. The suspension is automatic and takes effect without your consent or a hearing. You will receive a notice in the mail informing you that your license has been suspended, along with the suspension start date and length.

The notice will also tell you what you must do to get your license back. For a 30-day suspension, you straightforward wait out the period. You cannot drive during this time, even with a restricted license or for work purposes, unless you obtain a separate occupational license from a justice court (see below). After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to reapply or pay a fee.

If you receive a second suspension within five years, the process is the same, but the suspension lasts 60 days instead of 30. A third suspension within five years lasts 180 days. Each suspension resets the five-year clock.

Requesting a hearing if you believe the suspension is wrong

You have the right to request a hearing with the Department of Public Safety if you think the suspension was issued by mistake — for example, if you believe a violation was incorrectly attributed to you, or if you think the point count is wrong. You must request this hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The notice itself will include instructions on how to request a hearing.

At the hearing, you can present evidence that the suspension should not have been issued. However, the hearing officer will not reconsider whether the violation itself was justified — that is a matter for traffic court. The hearing is only about whether the point total is correct and whether the suspension was properly calculated.

If you lose the hearing, the suspension stands. If you win, the suspension is lifted and your license is reinstated when ready. Either way, the hearing does not erase the points from your record — they still count toward future suspensions until they age out after 36 months.

Getting an occupational license during suspension

If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work, school, or medical reasons, you can request an occupational license from a justice court in your county. This is not a full license — it allows you to drive only for the specific purposes listed on the document, and only during the hours you specify.

To get an occupational license, you must show the court that you have a genuine need to drive and that the suspension causes you hardship. You will need to provide proof of employment, school enrollment, or medical treatment. The court will also require proof that you have obtained SR-22 insurance (high-risk auto insurance that proves you are insured). There is a fee for the occupational license, which varies by county but is typically between $100 and $200.

An occupational license is temporary — it lasts only as long as your suspension. Once the suspension period ends and your license is reinstated, the occupational license is no longer valid. You cannot use it to drive for pleasure or for any purpose outside what the court approved.

How to avoid reaching 6 points

The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. But if you do receive a ticket, you have options that may prevent points from being added to your record.

In some cases, you can take a defensive driving course to reduce or dismiss a ticket. Texas law allows you to take an approved course once every 12 months to dismiss a moving violation or reduce the fine. The course must be at least six hours long and approved by the Texas Education Agency. You pay a course fee (typically $25 to $50) and complete the course, usually online. If you finish, the violation does not appear on your driving record and no points are added.

You can also contest a ticket in traffic court. If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly or if you have evidence that you were not at fault, you can request a hearing before a judge. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added. If you lose, you must pay the fine and points are added as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license back early if I pay a fine?

No. A suspension is a fixed period set by law. You cannot shorten it by paying money or taking a course. You must wait out the full suspension period — 30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second, or 180 days for a third. After the period ends, your license is automatically reinstated at no cost.

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

Yes. If you receive a ticket in another state and it is reported to Texas, the points count toward your Texas total under the Interstate Compact on Driver Licenses. The point value may differ from what it would be in Texas, but it still counts. You can check your driving record through the Department of Public Safety website to see all violations reported against you.

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

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in jail time, fines, and a longer suspension. If you are caught driving during a suspension, you face charges in addition to the original suspension. This is why an occupational license is important if you need to drive during the suspension period.

How do I check how many points I have on my record?

You can view your driving record through the Texas Department of Public Safety website or by visiting a DPS office in person. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows all violations from the past three years and the points associated with each one, so you can see exactly how close you are to the 6-point threshold.

If I move out of Texas, do my points follow me?

Your Texas points remain on your Texas record. If you move to another state and get a new license there, that state will see your Texas record through the Interstate Compact. Points from your Texas violations may affect your standing in the new state, depending on that state's laws. You should check with your new state's licensing authority to understand how your Texas record affects you.