How Do DMV Points Affect Car Insurance and Your Drivers License?

If you think it is funny to get a speeding ticket, think again. Unless you are prepared to fight it in court, speeding tickets add points to your drivers license. These points are a reflection of your skills and judgment as a driver. Points are important to the state that issued the license. They are also important to the company that sells you car insurance.

A few points added to your drivers license each year may not be a big deal.

Small speeding tickets and other minor moving violations will add between 1 and 3 points to your drivers license in most states. This is roughly the same amount that the state forgives and removes from your record each year. If your tickets are spaced more than 12 months apart, you may never build up your points enough to create huge problems for the state or the car insurance company. Some insurance companies have a short fuse about this. They will spike your rates as soon as you have points appear on your driving record in their reviews. Other companies will give you a little space as long as the points stay low.

A second or third violation within a year will almost certainly change your insurance picture.

When your points reach between 5 and 8, most insurance companies will increase your rates. Some will cancel your policy on your anniversary date. This makes a situation where you will have to move into a high risk type of policy. Generally, this means your insurance rates will go up at least 50%. It will hurt. However, you will still have your license in your pocket. At this level, you are beginning to put your driving privilege at risk.

If you collect an additional ticket or two before the state clears off some of your points, you may find your drivers license being suspended for 30 to 90 days.

States hate it when you get 9 or more points too quickly. They will take steps to try to slow you down. This will, hopefully, give your record time to breathe and move you closer to having some of those points clear off of your record. At this level, your insurance company may not wait for an anniversary date to cancel your policy. You may be out on the street looking desperately for new insurance that you can afford.

A DWI or DUI ticket can move you straight up to 12 or more points even if you had zero.

At this level, most states will give you a lengthy suspension on your license or possibly a revocation. About the only way to get your license restored is to take some driving classes prescribed by the state. If you have not already had to look for a new insurance company, you need to now. Plan on emptying your wallet to pay for it. With luck, you can get a hardship license so that you will not lose your job due to lack of transportation. Do the math, and you will see that it will take you about 3 or 4 years to clear these points from your record. Do this one again, and you may have to prove you are sober by breathing into a machine mounted near your steering wheel before your car will start.