Texas suspends your license when you accumulate 6 points within a 3-year period

In Texas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) tracks points on your driving record. When you reach 6 points in any 3-year span, DPS will suspend your license automatically. This is separate from suspensions for specific violations like DUI or reckless driving — it is purely a points-based system.

The suspension lasts a minimum of 30 days, but the exact length depends on how many points you had when you hit the 6-point threshold. If you had 6 to 9 points, you lose your license for 30 days. If you had 10 to 14 points, the suspension is 60 days. At 15 or more points, DPS suspends your license for 90 days.

Points stay on your record for 3 years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket. This means a ticket from January 2022 stops counting toward suspension in January 2025, even if you just paid it last month.

Key Takeaways

  • You lose your license when you accumulate 6 points within any 3-year period in Texas.
  • A 30-day suspension applies if you had 6 to 9 points; 60 days for 10 to 14 points; 90 days for 15 or more points.
  • Points expire 3 years from the violation date, not the date you paid the fine.
  • You can check your current point total by requesting your driving record from DPS or viewing it online through their website.

How Points Are Assigned for Common Texas Violations

Not every traffic ticket adds points to your record. Violations like parking, expired registration, or broken headlights do not carry points. But moving violations — things you did while driving — almost always do.

A single speeding ticket is usually 1 point if you were 1 to 10 mph over the limit. Going 11 to 20 mph over adds 2 points. Exceeding the limit by more than 20 mph is 3 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 2 points. Unsafe lane change is 2 points. Reckless driving is 3 points. At-fault accidents are typically 3 points, though this varies depending on the circumstances.

If you were cited for a violation but the charge was dismissed or reduced in court, the points may not be added at all. This is why fighting a ticket in traffic court can matter — a dismissal keeps points off your record entirely.

When DPS Notifies You of Suspension

You will not receive a warning when you are close to 6 points. DPS processes points monthly, and you find out about the suspension when you receive an official notice in the mail. This notice tells you the suspension date, how long it lasts, and what you must do to get your license back.

The suspension becomes effective on the date DPS specifies in the letter, usually 20 to 30 days after you receive it. Driving after that date with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense, even if you did not know the suspension had taken effect.

You can request your driving record online through the DPS website or by mail to see your current point total before suspension happens. Checking your record every few months is the only way to know how close you are to the 6-point threshold.

How to Reduce Points Through Defensive Driving

Texas allows you to remove up to 3 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months, and you can take the course online or in person.

The course typically takes 4 to 6 hours and costs between $20 and $60, depending on the provider. After you finish, you receive a certificate of completion that you send to DPS. The points are removed within 30 to 60 days.

You cannot take a defensive driving course if you have already taken one in the past 12 months, and you cannot use it to remove points from a violation that occurred while you were already suspended. The course is meant to help drivers stay below the 6-point threshold, not to undo a suspension that has already happened.

What Happens When Your License Is Suspended

A points-based suspension means you cannot legally drive. You must surrender your license to DPS or a local driver license office, and you cannot drive for any reason — not to work, not to the store, not to court. Driving with a suspended license is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

After the suspension period ends, you must visit a DPS office in person to reinstate your license. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 for a points-based suspension) and pass a vision test. You do not have to retake the written or road test unless DPS requires it for other reasons.

If you receive another violation while suspended, the points from that new violation will still be added to your record. This can extend your suspension or create a new one once you are reinstated.

Checking Your Driving Record and Point Total

You can view your Texas driving record online through the DPS website by providing your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online record shows all violations, points, and suspensions from the past 3 years.

You can also request a copy by mail or in person at any DPS office. The in-person copy is available when ready; the mailed version takes 5 to 7 business days. There is a small fee for a printed record, though the online version is free.

Your record updates monthly as DPS processes new violations and points. If you were recently cited, it may take 30 to 60 days for that ticket to appear on your record, depending on when the officer submitted the citation to DPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work during a points-based suspension?

No. A points-based suspension in Texas is a full suspension — you cannot drive for any reason, including work. Some states offer hardship licenses that allow limited driving, but Texas does not for points-based suspensions. You must use other transportation or wait until the suspension ends.

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

Yes, if the violation is reported to Texas. Most states share traffic violation data, so a speeding ticket in Oklahoma or Louisiana will appear on your Texas record and count toward the 6-point threshold. Check your record to see if out-of-state violations have been added.

What if I was not the one driving when the ticket was issued?

The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, but points are assigned to the driver. If someone else was driving, you can request that the citation be transferred to the actual driver. You will need to provide a signed statement and may need to appear in traffic court. Contact the court that issued the ticket for the process in your county.

How long does reinstatement take after my suspension ends?

Reinstatement is when ready once you visit a DPS office, pay the $100 fee, and pass the vision test. You walk out with your license the same day. There is no waiting period after the suspension ends — you can reinstate as soon as the suspension date passes.

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

Only if you take it before you reach 6 points. The course removes up to 3 points, which can keep you below the threshold. But if you are already suspended, the course cannot undo it. You must complete the course and reinstate your license separately.