How Do You Get Rid of Points on Your Driver’s License?
Last Updated on January 9, 2026
Points on your driver’s license can be a red flag for insurers—and they’re one reason your premium may jump after a ticket. If you’re trying to figure out what triggered a price increase, this guide explains why your car insurance company raised your rates.
That said, the DMV “points” system and an insurance company’s pricing system are not the same thing. Even if your state reduces points, the underlying violation can still appear on your motor vehicle record (MVR), and insurers may still consider it for a few years. Here’s how your driving history affects your insurance rates.
Every state sets its own point rules and removal options. Many DMVs now let drivers view records, pay fees, and submit certain requests online, while other requests still require mail or an in-person visit. If you’re unsure where to start, use the official USA.gov state motor vehicle services directory to find your state’s DMV site.
Key Takeaways
- Points Rules Are State-Specific: Each state has its own point schedule, suspension thresholds, and point-removal options—always confirm details on your state DMV website.
- Point Removal Doesn’t Always “Erase” the Violation: Even if points drop, the underlying ticket may still show on your record and affect insurance for several years.
- Courses Can Help—If They’re Approved: Defensive driving or driver improvement courses can reduce points in many states, but approval depends on the provider, your violation, and how often you’ve used a course.
- Insurance Savings May Not Be Immediate: Many insurers update driving records at renewal, so rates often improve over time—then it’s smart to compare quotes once your record is cleaner.
What Are Driver’s License Points?
Driver’s license points are a way for states to track driving behavior. When you get certain tickets or are found responsible for certain violations, your state may add points to your record. Accumulating too many points in a set time period can lead to administrative penalties like mandatory driver programs, surcharges, or even a suspension.
Important: Some states use points heavily, others use different systems, and not every violation results in points. Always rely on your state DMV’s rules—not a generic list from a third-party website.
How Points Are Assessed
Nearly every state uses some method to evaluate driving violations, and points are one of the most common tools. When you get a traffic ticket, your state may assess a point value based on the violation’s severity. Depending on the state and the offense, a single ticket might add as little as 1 point—or several points for more serious violations.
Points can also affect whether you’re allowed to drive. If you accumulate too many points within a specified period, you could face a suspension or revocation. If that happens, it can create long-term consequences for both driving privileges and insurance costs. If you’re dealing with a suspension, read how long a suspended license stays on your record.
How Long Points Stay on Your License
How long points remain on your license depends on your state, the violation type, and whether you’ve had additional violations. Many states remove points after a clean driving period or a set number of years, often in the 1–5 year range for common violations. More serious violations can remain longer.
Also, don’t confuse “points” with “the violation.” Even if points drop to zero, the ticket or accident may still appear on your record. States vary widely on rules and timelines—similar to how auto insurance requirements vary by state. Once your record improves, it’s usually a good time to compare quotes again.
Removing Points From Your License
In many states, points will drop off automatically after a set period. But if you want points reduced sooner, you usually need to take action. The exact options depend on your state and the type of violation.
Before you do anything else: confirm (1) how many points you have now, and (2) which violations are causing them.
Step 1: Confirm You Actually Have Points
The fastest way to waste time (and money) is to assume you have points without checking. Start by confirming your record first. Use this guide to learn how to check how many points you have and where to get an official copy of your driving record.
Step 2: Use Your State’s Point-Removal Rules
After you confirm your point total, use your state’s rules to figure out the quickest removal method you qualify for. Some states allow point reductions for defensive driving courses, some reduce points after a clean driving period, and some offer driver improvement programs only after the DMV sends a notice.
The table below breaks down common point removal options by state (including course eligibility and typical reductions):
| State | How to Remove Points |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama does not have a point reduction program. Points stop counting toward suspension after 2 years, but the conviction history remains on your driving record. |
| Alaska | Alaska’s Point Reduction Program allows you to remove 2 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can use the program once every 12 months. |
| Arizona | Arizona does not have a point reduction program. If you are eligible and take defensive driving before a conviction is entered, you may be able to keep points off your record for that ticket. |
| Arkansas | Arkansas does not have a point reduction program. The best “removal” is time: points/violations remain visible to insurers and employers for years, depending on the offense. |
| California | California does not have a point reduction program. Most points count for 3 years (longer for serious violations). Eligible drivers can use traffic school to “mask” points from insurers for one ticket (generally once every 18 months). |
| Colorado | Colorado does not have a point reduction program. If you’re suspended for points, you may be able to shorten or modify the suspension through a DMV hearing (based on the circumstances and your record). |
| Connecticut | Connecticut does not have a point reduction program. Points typically remain on your record for 24 months from the assessment date. |
| Delaware | Delaware drivers can earn a 3-point credit by completing an approved defensive driving course. The credit is valid for 3 years, and you can take a refresher course to maintain it. |
| District of Columbia | DC points stay on your record for 2 years. For eligible violations, you may be able to remove points by completing a DC DMV–approved online defensive driving course after receiving prior approval from a DMV hearing examiner (you must request traffic school when contesting the ticket). |
| Florida | Florida does not have a point reduction program. If you take an approved driver improvement course for an eligible ticket before conviction is entered, you can typically avoid points for that violation (limits apply). |
| Georgia | Georgia allows a points reduction of up to 7 points once every 5 years by completing a certified Driver Improvement (defensive driving) course and submitting the certificate to DDS. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii does not use a driver’s license points system. Violations are still recorded and can lead to penalties or suspension, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| Idaho | Idaho allows a 3-point reduction once every 3 years by completing an approved defensive driving course. The course reduces the point total but does not remove the underlying conviction from your record. |
| Illinois | Illinois does not have a point reduction program. Violations can remain on your record for several years depending on severity. |
| Indiana | Indiana’s Driver Safety Program (DSP) can provide a 4-point credit once every 3 years. If you take another DSP course within that 3-year window, it can extend the credit period. |
| Iowa | Iowa does not have a statewide point reduction program. License actions are generally tied to conviction patterns (such as habitual violator/serious violation rules), so the best strategy is avoiding new convictions and following court/DMV requirements if you’re ordered into a driver improvement program. |
| Kansas | Kansas does not use a driver’s license point system. Violations are still recorded, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky does not have a point reduction program. Points typically remain for 2 years from the conviction date (the conviction entry remains longer). If eligible and court-referred, traffic school can help you avoid having points assessed for a ticket (generally once every 12 months). |
| Louisiana | Louisiana does not use a driver’s license point system. Violations are recorded, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| Maine | Maine points are erased when they become 1 year old. You can also deduct 3 points by completing the Maine Driving Dynamics course (or another approved driver improvement course), but that 3-point deduction can only be used once every 12 months. |
| Maryland | Maryland points remain on your record until they’re expunged. Eligible entries may be expunged automatically after a set period (often 3 years after the last moving violation, but longer in some situations). Points also become “non-current” after 2 years, even if still visible. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts does not have a traditional point reduction program. The state’s SDIP surchargeable incidents can affect insurance for up to 6 years, and there’s generally no way to “remove” them early from the insurance rating period. |
| Michigan | Michigan does not have a point reduction program. Points remain on your record for 2 years from conviction. If eligible, the Basic Driver Improvement Course can sometimes keep points off the public record for a ticket (before conviction is entered). |
| Minnesota | Minnesota does not use a driver’s license point system. Violations are recorded, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| Missouri | Missouri does not offer a class-based point reduction program, but points decrease automatically with clean driving: after 1 year (reduce remaining points by 1/3), after 2 years (reduce remaining points by 1/2), and after 3 years (reduce points to 0). |
| Mississippi | Mississippi does not use a driver’s license point system. Violations are recorded, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| Montana | Montana does not have a point reduction program. Points generally stop counting after 3 years, but the conviction history can remain on your record. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska convictions remain on your driving record for 5 years. Nebraska generally does not offer point removal, but some DMV-certified driver education/training courses can provide a limited 2-point credit (available once every 5 years under specific guidelines). |
| Nevada | If you have 3 to 11 points in Nevada, you may remove 3 points by completing a DMV-approved traffic safety course (once every 12 months). No point credit is given if the course is part of a court plea bargain. |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire drivers with at least 3 points may take an in-person Driver Improvement course (in NH) to reduce 3 points (for suspension purposes). Without the course, points generally remain for 3 years. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey drivers can reduce their total by 2 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can only receive this 2-point reduction once every 5 years (and only if you have points on your record at completion). |
| New Mexico | New Mexico does not have a point reduction program. If you lose your license due to points, you may be required to complete a driver improvement course as part of reinstatement. |
| New York | New York’s DMV-approved Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) can “subtract” up to 4 points for suspension calculation for violations within the prior 18 months. You can use PIRP once every 18 months, but tickets/points still remain on your driving record. |
| North Carolina | North Carolina drivers may request a Driver Improvement Clinic if eligible. Upon completion, 3 points are deducted from the driving record, and you can generally receive this point credit once every 5 years (eligibility and a hearing/conference may be required). |
| North Dakota | North Dakota drivers can reduce their total by 3 points by completing an approved defensive driving course once every 12 months. North Dakota also reduces points over time if you go without new pointable violations. |
| Ohio | Ohio does not remove existing points through a course, but eligible drivers can take a Remedial Driving Course to receive a 2-point credit (a cushion against future points). This is generally available if you have 2 to 11 points and is limited in frequency (typically once every 3 years). |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma reduces points automatically with clean driving: 2 points are deducted for each 12-month period with no pointable convictions, and after 3 consecutive years with no pointable convictions, your point level is reduced to zero. |
| Oregon | Oregon does not use a driver’s license point system. DMV actions are based on the number of convictions/accidents within set timeframes, so there are no “points” to remove. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania removes points automatically for safe driving: 3 points are removed for every 12 consecutive months with no point-bearing violations/suspensions. Once you reach 0 points and stay there for 12 months, the next points are treated like a first accumulation again. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island does not use a driver’s license point system. Violations are recorded, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina drivers can reduce their point total by 4 by completing an approved defensive driving/driver training course. This point reduction is available only once every 3 years (and must be taken after the violation date). |
| South Dakota | South Dakota does not have a point reduction program. Suspensions are based on point accumulation within the state’s 12-month and 24-month windows. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee does not have a point reduction program. If you face a point-based suspension, an administrative hearing may allow a defensive driving course in lieu of suspension or for a shorter suspension, depending on the case. |
| Texas | Texas no longer uses a statewide points/surcharge program (the Driver Responsibility Program ended in 2019). Defensive driving may still be available for ticket dismissal or insurance discounts when the court/insurer allows. |
| Utah | Utah points can decrease automatically with clean driving (half removed after 1 year without a moving violation conviction; all removed after 2 years). Points for individual convictions are automatically removed after 3 years. Utah also allows a defensive driving course to reduce up to 50 points once every 3 years. |
| Vermont | Vermont does not have a point reduction program. Points remain assessed for 2 years from the conviction date. |
| Virginia | Virginia drivers can earn 5 safe driving points by completing a DMV-approved driver improvement clinic once every 24 months. |
| Washington | Washington State does not use a driver’s license point system. Moving violations are recorded, and suspensions can occur after too many tickets, but there are no “points” to remove. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia drivers can remove 3 points by completing an approved Defensive Driving Course. You can use this point reduction once every 12 months, and it must be taken after points appear on your record. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin drivers can request a 3-point reduction by completing an approved traffic safety course. You can receive only one point reduction every 3 years. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming does not use a driver’s license point system. Suspensions are based on the number of moving violations (for example, 4 moving violations in 12 months can trigger a suspension), so there are no “points” to remove. |
Step 3: Earn Automatic Reductions Through Good Driving
Some states reduce points automatically after a clean driving period. For example, New Jersey reduces points after a violation-free year and also allows certain approved programs (with limits on how often you can use them). If you’re a NJ driver, you can compare your insurance options in our Best Car Insurance in New Jersey guide, then confirm the exact point-reduction rules on the official New Jersey MVC points system page.
Step 4: Take a State-Approved Defensive Driving Course
Taking a defensive driving course is one of the most common ways to reduce points or prevent points from being added (depending on state rules). Many states cap how often you can use a course for point reduction—so save it for when it actually helps.
Before enrolling, confirm these details with your state DMV (or the court, if applicable):
- Is your violation eligible for point reduction (or only for an insurance discount)?
- Is the provider state-approved for your exact purpose (points vs. dismissal vs. discount)?
- How often you can use the course for point reduction (once per 12 months, 24 months, 5 years, etc.).
- How to submit proof (automatic reporting, upload portal, mail, in-person, etc.).
Step 5: Correct Errors or Fight Tickets When It Still Matters
If your record has a mistake (wrong violation, wrong disposition, duplicated ticket), contact the DMV and the court listed on the citation to request a correction. If your ticket is still within the period where you can contest it, fighting the ticket (or negotiating it down) may prevent points from being assessed in the first place.
Note: In many states, once a conviction is final, you may be limited to point-reduction programs rather than eliminating the violation entirely—so deadlines matter.
Online and Virtual Courses
Many states accept online or self-paced courses, but approval is highly specific. A course might qualify for an insurance discount while not qualifying for point reduction (or vice versa). If you’re deciding whether a course is worth it, start with our guide on defensive driving course discounts, then confirm the exact rules with your state DMV.
When you finish a course, follow the state’s instructions carefully. Some states require you to submit the completion certificate yourself, while others require the provider to report completion directly to the DMV.
Avoid Unofficial Websites
Be cautious of websites that promise to “erase” or “clear” points instantly. Only your state DMV or DOT (and in some cases the court) can officially change your driving record. Stick to official .gov websites, never share sensitive information with random sites, and verify that any driving course provider is actually approved by your state.
What to Do After You Have Points Removed
Even after points are reduced, your insurance rate may not change immediately. Many insurers re-check driving records at renewal or on a set schedule. If you’re still paying a “points surcharge,” it can help to compare carriers—especially if your record is improving. Start here: the best car insurance for drivers with points.
If your policy renews every six months, you may not see changes until renewal time. Here’s why car insurance policies are often 6 months long and why insurers usually “re-rate” you on that schedule.
If you pay monthly, you might still have options. Learn more about monthly car insurance plans, then ask your insurer whether they can re-run your MVR early or remove a surcharge mid-term (not all carriers will, but it doesn’t hurt to ask). You can also use this guide on whether auto insurance rates are negotiable to understand what’s realistic.
Bottom line: Removing points is worth pursuing when you’re eligible—but the biggest long-term savings usually come from staying violation-free and shopping around once your record improves.
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