Dealing with just one traffic ticket can be a nuisance for people who do not have much time to take off from work or extra income built into their budget for fines and fees. But, if you start to acquire multiple tickets within a short time period, these traffic nuisances can start to have a very detrimental impact on your everyday life, with the biggest being a possible suspension of your driver’s license. Below, we have summarized some basic information with regards to points on your driver’s license and when a suspension would be enforced:

OFFENSES & POINTS

• Reckless Driving 6 points
• Speeding (26 mph or more over) 5 points
• Failure to Yield Right-of-Way 5 points
• Passing Stopped School Bus 5 points
• Wrong Side of the Road 4 points
• Illegal Passing 4 points
• Following Too Closely 3 points
• Disregarding Traffic Control Device (stop sign, traffic light) 3 points
• Failure to Obey Construction Zone Markers 3 points
• Use of Restricted Lane 3 points
• Failure to Move/Reduce Speed for Law Enforcement or Emergency Vehicle 2 points
• Speeding (1-25 mph over) 2 points
• Improper Lane Change 2 points
• Improper Signal 2 points
• Open Container Violation 2 points
• Coasting 2 points
• Inability to Control Vehicle 2 points
• Unsafe Operation of Vehicle 2 points
• Texting While Driving 2 points
• Improper Operation of Motorcycle 2 points
• All other moving violations 2 points

Additionally, any conviction for an alcohol-related offense while driving a vehicle that does not result in the automatic or mandatory suspension of your license will result in 6 points being placed on your driver’s license.

Points will remain on your driver’s license for 2 years following the date that you are convicted or plea guilty to the traffic offense responsible for those points. After 2 years from the date of conviction, the traffic offense can no longer be used on your record for suspension purposes. However, enough points within a 2-year period will result in a suspension of your license according to the following schedule:

• 12-14 points in a 2-year period 60 days
• 15-17 points in a 2-year period ­ 90 days
• 18-20 points in a 2-year period ­ 120 days
• 21-23 points in a 2-year period ­ 180 days
• 24 points or more in a 2-year period ­ 365 days

A few points on your license in a 2-year period can be the difference in avoiding having your license suspended for a few months to a year. Do not procrastinate in retaining competent counsel for representation if you have been cited for a traffic violation, contact our firm today.