Whether you call them driver's license points, demerit points, or DMV points, they aren’t a good thing for drivers. Luckily, Texas no longer uses a point-based system to keep track of when a driver gets convicted of a traffic violation. Read this guide, and you'll be an expert on how license points used to work in Texas — and the new system Texas uses.
Update to the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP)
On September 1, 2019, Texas repealed the DRP and all of its related license suspensions. This means both the point system and the extra surcharges no longer exist. Previously, if you got a ticket, you had to pay an additional surcharge based on how many points you received. So if you owed any money due to surcharges or had a license suspended because of not paying surcharges, you don't have to worry.
Penalties for Moving Violations
Texas now has a fine-based system for traffic violations. The system isn't standard across the state — it varies from city to county. For example, in Harris County, fines range from $75 for not updating your vehicle registration to $1,080 for passing a stopped school bus. But, if you're in Dallas, disregarding a traffic sign will cost you $201, and failing to stop for a school bus will cost you $624.
On average, a ticket will cost you around $150 across Texas. Check out your local city or county's website for a better look at what you would have to pay for a ticket.
Now that you know the potential consequences of committing a traffic violation, here are some of the infractions you'll get fined for:
Changing a lane unsafely
Driving recklessly
Driving without a license or insurance
Failing to use turn signals
Leaving the scene of an accident
Making an illegal U-turn
Passing a vehicle illegally
Running a red light or stop sign
Consequences of Too Many Violations
Unfortunately, if you rack up too many violations, you're at risk of your license getting suspended. If you commit more than four moving violations in one year or more than seven in two years, there's a good chance you'll have your license suspended. You can also receive a suspension or disqualification if convicted of two or more offenses that conflict with an endorsement or restriction printed on your driver's license. These endorsements or restrictions include things like what type of vehicle you can drive, where you can drive, and when you can drive.
Insurance agencies check the violations on your record when they set your monthly fees. The more violations you have, the more you should expect to pay.
Another thing to worry about is if you have a commercial driver's license in Texas. If you have a CDL and commit more than two moving violations in three years your CDL gets suspended for 60 days. If you commit three in three years, your license gets suspended for 120 days. You can receive longer suspensions for alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, and illegal railroad crossings.
How to Check Points on a License in Texas
In Texas, your driving history is quite easy to check on by following these steps:
Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Online Driver Record Request System website.
Log in to the website using your driver's license number, date of birth, Social Security number, and audit/DD number.
Decide which of the following types of records you want to request:
Status Record — Includes name, date of birth, license status, and latest address.
3-year History Record — Adds a list of accidents and moving violations in the last three years to the above.
List of All Accidents and Violations on Record — Includes all accidents and violations on record.
Certified 3-year History Record — Certified version, not acceptable for a defensive driving course (DDC).
Certified List of All Accidents and Violations on Record — Certified version, acceptable for a DDC.
Certified Abstracts of Driving Record — Certified complete driving record.
Review and pay for the records. They range from $4 to $20.
Immediately receive your record either by email or a PDF download.
If you prefer to receive your records through the mail, download a Driver Record Request Form and mail it in along with a check or money order.
Avoid Traffic Violations in Texas
Now that you know how the point system used to work in Texas, learn how to avoid traffic violations. One way to prevent yourself from committing a moving violation is by taking a defensive driving course on Aceable.com. Our classes will teach you the rules of the road so you won't make any traffic mistakes. Complete a defensive driving course entirely online and at your own pace through Aceable.
Updated 5/24/24