Demerit Points
Demerit points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation and will remain valid for two years from the date you commit the offense. Different violations carry different demerit point values, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
Demerit Points Can Add Up
Each time you are convicted of a traffic offense, DMV adds additional demerit points to your record. This can add up to big trouble for some drivers.
Drivers under age 18
If you are convicted of a demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, you will be required to satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic. If you do not satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days, DMV will suspend your permit or license until the clinic is completed.
After your second demerit-point (or a safety belt or child-restraint) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will suspend your permit or license for 90 days. If you are under 19 and have no other means of transportation, you may petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your jurisdiction for restricted driving privileges to drive between home, work, and/or an institution of higher learning.
After a third demerit-point (or a safety belt or child-restraint) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer. You will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic for safety belt and child restraint violations as well as demerit point convictions.
You will receive five safe driving points if you voluntarily complete a driver improvement clinic. Safe driving points will not be awarded if clinic attendance was required by DMV or a court. A computer-based driver improvement clinic will not satisfy a driver improvement clinic requirement. You must satisfactorily complete a clinic that provides classroom instruction.
Drivers age 18 and older
If you are convicted of a demerit-point violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were age 18 or 19, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic.
If you are age 18 or older and you accumulate eight demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six-month probation period.
If you are under age 20, a computer-based driver improvement clinic will not satisfy a driver improvement clinic requirement. You must satisfactorily complete a clinic that provides classroom instruction.
Demerit points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation and will remain valid for two years from the date you commit the offense. Different violations carry different demerit point values, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
Demerit Points Can Add Up
Each time you are convicted of a traffic offense, DMV adds additional demerit points to your record. This can add up to big trouble for some drivers.
Drivers under age 18
If you are convicted of a demerit-point traffic violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were under age 18, you will be required to satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic. If you do not satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days, DMV will suspend your permit or license until the clinic is completed.
After your second demerit-point (or a safety belt or child-restraint) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will suspend your permit or license for 90 days. If you are under 19 and have no other means of transportation, you may petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your jurisdiction for restricted driving privileges to drive between home, work, and/or an institution of higher learning.
After a third demerit-point (or a safety belt or child-restraint) conviction for a violation committed when you were under age 18, DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer. You will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic for safety belt and child restraint violations as well as demerit point convictions.
You will receive five safe driving points if you voluntarily complete a driver improvement clinic. Safe driving points will not be awarded if clinic attendance was required by DMV or a court. A computer-based driver improvement clinic will not satisfy a driver improvement clinic requirement. You must satisfactorily complete a clinic that provides classroom instruction.
Drivers age 18 and older
If you are convicted of a demerit-point violation (or a safety belt or child-restraint violation) committed when you were age 18 or 19, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic.
If you are age 18 or older and you accumulate eight demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six-month probation period.
If you are under age 20, a computer-based driver improvement clinic will not satisfy a driver improvement clinic requirement. You must satisfactorily complete a clinic that provides classroom instruction.
