Moving Violations and Point Assessments

When you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DMV does the following:

• posts the conviction to your driving record;
• assigns you demerit points according to the severity of the offense;
• issues an order of suspension, if applicable;
• issues an order requiring the successful completion of a driver improvement clinic, if applicable; and
• notifies your insurance company upon request.

The following lists present the traffic violations that have demerit points. These violations are grouped according to the number of DMV demerit points assigned to each violation. The number of years that the conviction stays on your DMV record is in parentheses beside each violation. An asterisk (*) indicates that the conviction remains on your record permanently.

DMV also posts to your record traffic violations that do not carry demerit points. These, however, are not listed here. Demerit points will also be assigned to your record for traffic convictions incurred in other states.

• Six Point Violations
• Four Point Violations
• Three Point Violations

The length of time that a conviction stays on your record depends on the severity of the violation. If you receive an order or notice of revocation, suspension, disqualification or cancellation, your convictions could remain on your record for even longer than specified in one of these lists.

DMV demerit points remain on your record for two years from the date that you commit the offense. The dates that demerit points are removed from your driving record are not related to the dates that convictions are removed from your record.

Your insurance company may also assign points on your insurance record; however, DMV demerit points are not related to insurance company points. Insurance company points are developed by individual companies.

DMV is not liable for damages that may result from errors on these lists. For a full description or violations and penalties, contact us. This information may change without prior notice.

Be sure to read A Different Kind of Crash Course for more information about how DMV's Driver Improvement Program works.