How Can I Check How Many Points Are On My License?

Last Updated on December 14, 2025

Most states track moving violations using a driver record system—often with “points” (sometimes called demerit points). Checking your points (or your driving record) helps you stay ahead of bigger penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees, and mandatory driver improvement courses.

In most states, the fastest way to check points is to request your driving record through your state DMV (or equivalent agency) website. You’ll usually need your driver’s license number and some basic personal verification (often your date of birth and/or the last 4 digits of your SSN). Some states also let you check license status online for free, but that may not show point totals.

Fees vary. Many states charge a small fee to download your driving record (often around $0 to $20 online), and some portals add a convenience fee for online transactions.

Key Takeaways

• The most reliable way to check points is to request your official driving record through your state DMV (not a third-party website).
• Many states offer online driving record downloads for a small fee, while “license status” tools may be free but won’t always show points.
• DMV points don’t always translate directly to insurance pricing—insurers mainly rate you based on the violations on your motor vehicle report.
• Point rules vary by state, so always confirm your state’s suspension threshold, point values, and point-expiration timelines.

How Driver’s License Points Work

In states that use a points system, points are added to your driving record for moving violations—like speeding, reckless driving, at-fault accidents, or running a red light. More severe violations usually carry more points.

If you rack up too many points within a certain time window, the DMV can suspend your license, require a hearing, or make you complete a driver improvement course. In many states, points “expire” for suspension purposes after a set period of safe driving—although the underlying ticket/conviction may remain visible on your record longer.

Parking tickets and most non-moving violations generally do not add points. Points are usually tied to moving violations.

Important: Not every state uses a traditional points tally. Some states track convictions and can still suspend or restrict licenses based on patterns of violations, even if they don’t show it as “points.”

How Do Driver’s License Points Affect Insurance?

In most states, DMV “points” don’t directly plug into your insurance bill. What affects your premium is the violation itself (and your overall driving record). When your policy renews, insurers often pull your motor vehicle report (MVR) and re-rate your policy based on recent tickets, accidents, and suspensions. If you accumulate multiple violations, your insurer may increase your rate.

Also, many insurers use their own internal “rating” system (sometimes described as points) to price risk. It may look similar to your state’s points system, but it’s not the same thing.

North Carolina is the best-known example of a statewide insurance point program (often discussed as the Safe Driver Incentive Plan). In most other states, insurers apply their own surcharges and rules.

How to Remove Points

There’s no single national rule for removing points—each state sets its own system. Some points fall off automatically after a certain period of safe driving. Other states allow you to reduce points by completing an approved course or meeting certain eligibility rules.

Common ways drivers reduce points (or reduce the impact of points) include:

• Wait for points to expire. Many states remove points for suspension purposes after 12–24 months (sometimes longer for serious violations).
• Take a driver improvement / defensive driving course. Some states allow an approved course to remove points or prevent points from being added (rules and time limits vary). Learn more: remove points.
• Resolve the ticket the right way. In some cases, hiring an attorney, requesting a reduction, or attending traffic school may help limit the long-term impact of a citation (depending on state law and your eligibility).

How to Check Driver’s License Points

If you want your point total (or the closest equivalent), request your official driving record from your state DMV or licensing agency.

Use these options (from best to worst for speed):

1) Check your DMV website (online driving record request)

Most states let you order and download your driving record through an official DMV portal. Once logged in, you can usually view violations, suspensions, and (in points states) point totals. Online is typically the fastest method.

What you’ll usually need: driver’s license number, date of birth, and identity verification (commonly last 4 of SSN or a DMV account login). You typically do not need a Real ID credential just to view your record online.

2) Check license status (often free, but limited)

Many DMVs offer a free “license status” tool. This can confirm whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked. However, it may not show points or detailed violation history.

3) Request your record by mail

Some states still allow a mail-in request form for a certified driving record. This is reliable, but it’s usually slower than online requests and may require notarization depending on the state.

4) Visit the DMV in person

You can often request your driving record at a DMV office. This is useful if you’re locked out of your online account or need help verifying your identity, but it may require an appointment.

Typical cost: Many states charge a small fee to access your driving record. Online fees are often in the single digits to low teens, but costs can be higher for certified copies or if you order through mail or in person.

Other Tips for Checking Driver’s License Points

Points can sneak up on you, especially if you’ve had multiple tickets close together. Use these tips to avoid surprises:

• Check your record after every ticket. Mistakes happen. It’s better to catch an error early than find out at renewal time (or after a suspension notice arrives).
• Know your state’s suspension threshold. Some states suspend based on point totals, others suspend based on convictions within a time period. Either way, learn the rules before you hit the limit.
• Remember points vs. insurance surcharges. Even if your DMV points expire, insurers can still surcharge you based on the conviction for several years depending on company rules and state regulations.
• Keep documentation. Save ticket dispositions, course completion certificates, and correspondence—especially if you’re trying to remove points or correct your record.

How Many Points Is Each Violation Worth?

Point values vary widely by state, so don’t rely on a generic chart for your exact situation. That said, many states follow a pattern like this:

• Lower-point violations: minor speeding, failure to signal, rolling stop, or certain cell phone/distracted driving violations (where applicable). See: distracted driving.
• Mid-point violations: higher-speed speeding tickets, running a red light/stop sign, improper passing, following too closely.
• High-point violations: reckless driving, racing, passing a stopped school bus, DUI-related offenses, leaving the scene, or driving while suspended.

If you want the exact points for your ticket, look up your state’s “points schedule” or “demerit points chart” on the official DMV site, or call the court listed on your citation.

Watch Out for Third-Party Lookup Sites

Some websites claim they can show your points for free. Many are not affiliated with your state and may collect sensitive information or charge surprise fees.

To protect your identity, use the official DMV (or state licensing agency) website or request your record directly through a DMV office or approved provider.

FAQs on Checking Driver’s License Points

Final Word on Checking Driver’s License Points

Checking points on your license usually means requesting your official driving record from your state DMV. In most states, you can do it online in minutes for a small fee.

If you’re worried about suspension or rising insurance costs, check your record regularly, learn your state’s thresholds, and take steps to remove points (or reduce their impact) when you’re eligible.