{"asset": "driver-license-points-thresholds-by-state", "asset_type": "penalty-points-threshold", "body": "For each US state that runs a demerit-point system: how many points trigger a license suspension, over what lookback period, and for how long the suspension runs \u2014 sourced from each state's statute or DMV rule. Answers 'how many points until my license is suspended in [state]', 'how long do points stay on my license in [state]', and 'does [state] have a points system'. The thresholds differ sharply (Florida: 12 points/12 months = 30 days, 18/18 = 3 months, 24/36 = 1 year; North Carolina: 12 points in 3 years, or 8 after a reinstatement) and roughly ten states run no point system at all \u2014 a nuance the content-mill summaries flatten. States with no point system get a record saying so, from the state's own page.\n", "description": "For each US state that runs a demerit-point system: how many points trigger a license suspension, over what lookback period, and for how long the suspension runs \u2014 sourced from each state's statute or DMV rule. Answers 'how many points until my license is suspended in [state]', 'how long do points stay on my license in [state]', and 'does [state] have a points system'. The thresholds differ sharply (Florida: 12 points/12 months = 30 days, 18/18 = 3 months, 24/36 = 1 year; North Carolina: 12 points in 3 years, or 8 after a reinstatement) and roughly ten states run no point system at all \u2014 a nuance the content-mill summaries flatten. States with no point system get a record saying so, from the state's own page.", "file": "index.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-08-18", "key_field": "state", "licence": "unknown", "sources": ["https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.27.html", "https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-16.html"], "stale_after": "2027-08-18", "title": "Driver's license point systems: suspension thresholds and lookback periods by US state", "type": "dataset", "verified": false} {"additional_tiers": "When a licensee accumulates 18 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraph (a), within an 18-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 3 months. (c)  When a licensee accumulates 24 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraphs (a) and (b), within a 36-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.", "asset": "driver-license-points-thresholds-by-state", "body": "**State:** Florida\n\n**Suspension threshold:** 12 points within a 12-month period\n\n**Additional tiers:** When a licensee accumulates 18 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraph (a), within an 18-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 3 months. (c)  When a licensee accumulates 24 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraphs (a) and (b), within a 36-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.\n\n**Suspension duration:** not more than 30 days\n\n**Statute or rule citation:** Fla. Stat. 322.27(3)\n\n> F.S. 322.27 322.27  Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license or identification card. — (1)  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in chapter 120, the department may suspend the license or identification card of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee or cardholder: (a)  Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction. A law enforcement agency must provide information to the department within 24 hours after any traffic fatality or when the law enforcement agency initiates action pursuant to s. 316.1933 ; (b)  Has been convicted of a violation of any traffic law which resulted in a crash that caused the death or personal injury of another or property damage in excess of $500; (c)  Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle; (d)  Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license or identification card or has knowingly been a party to the obtaining of a license or identification card by fraud or misrepresentation or to the display, or representation as one\u2019s own, of a driver license or identification card not issued to him or her. This section does not include the provisions of s. 322.32 (1); (e)  Has committed an offense in another state which, if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension or revocation; or (f)  Has committed a second or subsequent violation of s. 316.172 (1) within a 5-year period of any previous violation. (2)  The department shall suspend the license of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records that the licensee has been convicted in any court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under this chapter or any other law of this state regulating the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways, upon direction of the court, when the court feels that the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the conviction warrant the suspension of the licensee\u2019s driving privilege. (3)  There is established a point system for evaluation of convictions of violations of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, and violations of applicable provisions of s. 403.413 (6)(b) when such violations involve the use of motor vehicles, for the determination of the continuing qualification of any person to operate a motor vehicle. The department is authorized to suspend the license of any person upon showing of its records or other good and sufficient evidence that the licensee has been convicted of violation of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, or applicable provisions of s. 403.413 (6)(b), amounting to 12 or more points as determined by the point system. The suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year. (a)  When a licensee accumulates 12 points within a 12-month period, the period of suspension shall be for not more than 30 days. (b)  When a licensee accumulates 18 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraph (a), within an 18-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 3 months. (c)  When a licensee accumulates 24 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraphs (a) and (b), within a 36-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.\n\nSource: \n", "citation": "Fla. Stat. 322.27(3)", "file": "florida.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-08-18", "id": "florida", "source_quote": "F.S. 322.27 322.27  Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license or identification card. — (1)  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in chapter 120, the department may suspend the license or identification card of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee or cardholder: (a)  Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction. A law enforcement agency must provide information to the department within 24 hours after any traffic fatality or when the law enforcement agency initiates action pursuant to s. 316.1933 ; (b)  Has been convicted of a violation of any traffic law which resulted in a crash that caused the death or personal injury of another or property damage in excess of $500; (c)  Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle; (d)  Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license or identification card or has knowingly been a party to the obtaining of a license or identification card by fraud or misrepresentation or to the display, or representation as one\u2019s own, of a driver license or identification card not issued to him or her. This section does not include the provisions of s. 322.32 (1); (e)  Has committed an offense in another state which, if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension or revocation; or (f)  Has committed a second or subsequent violation of s. 316.172 (1) within a 5-year period of any previous violation. (2)  The department shall suspend the license of any person without preliminary hearing upon a showing of its records that the licensee has been convicted in any court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under this chapter or any other law of this state regulating the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways, upon direction of the court, when the court feels that the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the conviction warrant the suspension of the licensee\u2019s driving privilege. (3)  There is established a point system for evaluation of convictions of violations of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, and violations of applicable provisions of s. 403.413 (6)(b) when such violations involve the use of motor vehicles, for the determination of the continuing qualification of any person to operate a motor vehicle. The department is authorized to suspend the license of any person upon showing of its records or other good and sufficient evidence that the licensee has been convicted of violation of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, or applicable provisions of s. 403.413 (6)(b), amounting to 12 or more points as determined by the point system. The suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year. (a)  When a licensee accumulates 12 points within a 12-month period, the period of suspension shall be for not more than 30 days. (b)  When a licensee accumulates 18 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraph (a), within an 18-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 3 months. (c)  When a licensee accumulates 24 points, including points upon which suspension action is taken under paragraphs (a) and (b), within a 36-month period, the suspension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.", "sources": ["https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.27.html"], "stale_after": "2027-08-18", "state": "Florida", "suspension_duration": "not more than 30 days", "suspension_threshold": "12 points within a 12-month period", "title": "Florida \u2014 Driver's license point systems: suspension thresholds and lookback periods by US state", "type": "penalty-points-threshold", "verified": true} {"additional_tiers": "eight or more points in the three-year period immediately following the reinstatement of a license which has been suspended or revoked", "asset": "driver-license-points-thresholds-by-state", "body": "**State:** North Carolina\n\n**Suspension threshold:** within a three-year period, accumulated 12 or more points\n\n**Additional tiers:** eight or more points in the three-year period immediately following the reinstatement of a license which has been suspended or revoked\n\n**Suspension duration:** the first such suspension shall be for not more than 60 days; the second such suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year\n\n**Statute or rule citation:** N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-16\n\n> (5) Has, under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, within a three-year period, accumulated 12 or more points, or eight or more points in the three-year period immediately following the reinstatement of a license which has been suspended or revoked because of a conviction for one or more traffic offenses; (6) Has made or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license or a learner's permit, or has displayed or represented as his own, a license or learner's permit not issued to him; (6a) (Effective July 1, 2026) Has violated G.S. 20-309(a3); (7) Has committed an offense in another state, which if committed in this State would be grounds for suspension or revocation; (8) Has been convicted of illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages; (8a) Has been convicted of impaired instruction under G.S. 20-12.1; (8b) Has violated on a military installation a regulation of that installation prohibiting conduct substantially similar to conduct that constitutes impaired driving under G.S. 20-138.1 and, as a result of that violation, has had his privilege to drive on that installation revoked or suspended after an administrative hearing authorized by the commanding officer of the installation and that commanding officer has general court martial jurisdiction; (9) Has, within a period of 12 months, been convicted of (i) two or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, (ii) one or more charges of reckless driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, or (iii) one or more charges of aggressive driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour; (10) Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour on a public road or highway where the maximum speed is less than 70 miles per hour; (10a) Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour on a public highway where the maximum speed is 70 miles per hour; or (11) Has been sentenced by a court of record and all or a part of the sentence has been suspended and a condition of suspension of the sentence is that the operator not operate a motor vehicle for a period of time. However, if the Division revokes without a preliminary hearing and the person whose license is being revoked requests a hearing before the effective date of the revocation, the licensee retains his license unless it is revoked under some other provision of the law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his request, or he fails to appear at a scheduled hearing. (b) Pending an appeal from a conviction of any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State, no driver's license shall be suspended by the Division of Motor Vehicles because of such conviction or because of evidence of the commission of the offense for which the conviction has been had. (c) The Division shall maintain a record of convictions of every person licensed or required to be licensed under the provisions of this Article as an operator and shall enter therein records of all convictions of such persons for any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State and shall assign to the record of such person, as of the date of commission of the offense, a number of points for every such conviction in accordance with the following schedule of convictions and points, except that points shall not be assessed for convictions resulting in suspensions or revocations under other provisions of laws: Further, any points heretofore charged for violation of the motor vehicle inspection laws shall not be considered by the Division of Motor Vehicles as a basis for suspension or revocation of driver's license: Schedule of Point Values Passing stopped school bus 5 Aggressive driving 5 Reckless driving 4 Hit and run, property damage only 4 Following too close 4 Driving on wrong side of road 4 Illegal passing 4 Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrian pursuant to G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b. 4 Failure to yield right-of-way to bicycle, motor scooter, or motorcycle 4 Running through stop sign 3 Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour 3 Failing to yield right-of-way 3 Running through red light 3 No driver's license or license expired more than one year 3 Failure to stop for siren 3 Driving through safety zone 3 No liability insurance 3 Failure to report accident where such report is required 3 Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit 3 Failure to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt 2 All other moving violations 2 Littering pursuant to G.S. 14-399 when the littering involves the use of a motor vehicle 1 Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle Passing stopped school bus 8 Rail-highway crossing violation 6 Careless and reckless driving in violation of G.S. 20-140(f) 6 Speeding in violation of G.S. 20-141(j3) 6 Aggressive driving 6 Reckless driving 5 Hit and run, property damage only 5 Following too close 5 Driving on wrong side of road 5 Illegal passing 5 Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrian pursuant to G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b. 5 Failure to yield right-of-way to bicycle, motor scooter, or motorcycle 5 Running through stop sign 4 Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour 4 Failing to yield right-of-way 4 Running through red light 4 No driver's license or license expired more than one year 4 Failure to stop for siren 4 Driving through safety zone 4 No liability insurance 4 Failure to report accident where such report is required 4 Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit 4 Possessing alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a commercial motor vehicle 4 All other moving violations 3 Littering pursuant to G.S. 14-399 when the littering involves the use of a motor vehicle 1 The above provisions of this subsection shall only apply to violations and convictions which take place within the State of North Carolina. The Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle shall not apply to any commercial motor vehicle known as an \"aerial lift truck\" having a hydraulic arm and bucket station, and to any commercial motor vehicle known as a \"line truck\" having a hydraulic lift for cable, if the vehicle is owned, operated by or under contract to a public utility, electric or telephone membership corporation or municipality and used in connection with installation, restoration or maintenance of utility services. No points shall be assessed for conviction of the following offenses: Overloads Over length Over width Over height Illegal parking Carrying concealed weapon Improper plates Improper registration Improper muffler Improper display of license plates or dealers' tags Unlawful display of emblems and insignia Failure to display current inspection certificate. In case of the conviction of a licensee of two or more traffic offenses committed on a single occasion, such licensee shall be assessed points for one offense only and if the offenses involved have a different point value, such licensee shall be assessed for the offense having the greater point value. Upon the restoration of the license or driving privilege of such person whose license or driving privilege has been suspended or revoked because of conviction for a traffic offense, any points that might previously have been accumulated in the driver's record shall be cancelled. Whenever any licensee accumulates as many as seven points or accumulates as many as four points during a three-year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation, the Division may request the licensee to attend a conference regarding such licensee's driving record. The Division may also afford any licensee who has accumulated as many as seven points or any licensee who has accumulated as many as four points within a three-year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation an opportunity to attend a driver improvement clinic operated by the Division and, upon the successful completion of the course taken at the clinic, three points shall be deducted from the licensee's conviction record; provided, that only one deduction of points shall be made on behalf of any licensee within any five-year period. When a license is suspended under the point system provided for herein, the first such suspension shall be for not more than 60 days; the second such suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year.\n\nSource: \n", "citation": "N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-16", "file": "north-carolina.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-08-18", "id": "north-carolina", "source_quote": "(5) Has, under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, within a three-year period, accumulated 12 or more points, or eight or more points in the three-year period immediately following the reinstatement of a license which has been suspended or revoked because of a conviction for one or more traffic offenses; (6) Has made or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license or a learner's permit, or has displayed or represented as his own, a license or learner's permit not issued to him; (6a) (Effective July 1, 2026) Has violated G.S. 20-309(a3); (7) Has committed an offense in another state, which if committed in this State would be grounds for suspension or revocation; (8) Has been convicted of illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages; (8a) Has been convicted of impaired instruction under G.S. 20-12.1; (8b) Has violated on a military installation a regulation of that installation prohibiting conduct substantially similar to conduct that constitutes impaired driving under G.S. 20-138.1 and, as a result of that violation, has had his privilege to drive on that installation revoked or suspended after an administrative hearing authorized by the commanding officer of the installation and that commanding officer has general court martial jurisdiction; (9) Has, within a period of 12 months, been convicted of (i) two or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, (ii) one or more charges of reckless driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, or (iii) one or more charges of aggressive driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour; (10) Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour on a public road or highway where the maximum speed is less than 70 miles per hour; (10a) Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour on a public highway where the maximum speed is 70 miles per hour; or (11) Has been sentenced by a court of record and all or a part of the sentence has been suspended and a condition of suspension of the sentence is that the operator not operate a motor vehicle for a period of time. However, if the Division revokes without a preliminary hearing and the person whose license is being revoked requests a hearing before the effective date of the revocation, the licensee retains his license unless it is revoked under some other provision of the law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his request, or he fails to appear at a scheduled hearing. (b) Pending an appeal from a conviction of any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State, no driver's license shall be suspended by the Division of Motor Vehicles because of such conviction or because of evidence of the commission of the offense for which the conviction has been had. (c) The Division shall maintain a record of convictions of every person licensed or required to be licensed under the provisions of this Article as an operator and shall enter therein records of all convictions of such persons for any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State and shall assign to the record of such person, as of the date of commission of the offense, a number of points for every such conviction in accordance with the following schedule of convictions and points, except that points shall not be assessed for convictions resulting in suspensions or revocations under other provisions of laws: Further, any points heretofore charged for violation of the motor vehicle inspection laws shall not be considered by the Division of Motor Vehicles as a basis for suspension or revocation of driver's license: Schedule of Point Values Passing stopped school bus 5 Aggressive driving 5 Reckless driving 4 Hit and run, property damage only 4 Following too close 4 Driving on wrong side of road 4 Illegal passing 4 Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrian pursuant to G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b. 4 Failure to yield right-of-way to bicycle, motor scooter, or motorcycle 4 Running through stop sign 3 Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour 3 Failing to yield right-of-way 3 Running through red light 3 No driver's license or license expired more than one year 3 Failure to stop for siren 3 Driving through safety zone 3 No liability insurance 3 Failure to report accident where such report is required 3 Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit 3 Failure to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt 2 All other moving violations 2 Littering pursuant to G.S. 14-399 when the littering involves the use of a motor vehicle 1 Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle Passing stopped school bus 8 Rail-highway crossing violation 6 Careless and reckless driving in violation of G.S. 20-140(f) 6 Speeding in violation of G.S. 20-141(j3) 6 Aggressive driving 6 Reckless driving 5 Hit and run, property damage only 5 Following too close 5 Driving on wrong side of road 5 Illegal passing 5 Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrian pursuant to G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b. 5 Failure to yield right-of-way to bicycle, motor scooter, or motorcycle 5 Running through stop sign 4 Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour 4 Failing to yield right-of-way 4 Running through red light 4 No driver's license or license expired more than one year 4 Failure to stop for siren 4 Driving through safety zone 4 No liability insurance 4 Failure to report accident where such report is required 4 Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit 4 Possessing alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of a commercial motor vehicle 4 All other moving violations 3 Littering pursuant to G.S. 14-399 when the littering involves the use of a motor vehicle 1 The above provisions of this subsection shall only apply to violations and convictions which take place within the State of North Carolina. The Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle shall not apply to any commercial motor vehicle known as an \"aerial lift truck\" having a hydraulic arm and bucket station, and to any commercial motor vehicle known as a \"line truck\" having a hydraulic lift for cable, if the vehicle is owned, operated by or under contract to a public utility, electric or telephone membership corporation or municipality and used in connection with installation, restoration or maintenance of utility services. No points shall be assessed for conviction of the following offenses: Overloads Over length Over width Over height Illegal parking Carrying concealed weapon Improper plates Improper registration Improper muffler Improper display of license plates or dealers' tags Unlawful display of emblems and insignia Failure to display current inspection certificate. In case of the conviction of a licensee of two or more traffic offenses committed on a single occasion, such licensee shall be assessed points for one offense only and if the offenses involved have a different point value, such licensee shall be assessed for the offense having the greater point value. Upon the restoration of the license or driving privilege of such person whose license or driving privilege has been suspended or revoked because of conviction for a traffic offense, any points that might previously have been accumulated in the driver's record shall be cancelled. Whenever any licensee accumulates as many as seven points or accumulates as many as four points during a three-year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation, the Division may request the licensee to attend a conference regarding such licensee's driving record. The Division may also afford any licensee who has accumulated as many as seven points or any licensee who has accumulated as many as four points within a three-year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation an opportunity to attend a driver improvement clinic operated by the Division and, upon the successful completion of the course taken at the clinic, three points shall be deducted from the licensee's conviction record; provided, that only one deduction of points shall be made on behalf of any licensee within any five-year period. When a license is suspended under the point system provided for herein, the first such suspension shall be for not more than 60 days; the second such suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year.", "sources": ["https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-16.html"], "stale_after": "2027-08-18", "state": "North Carolina", "suspension_duration": "the first such suspension shall be for not more than 60 days; the second such suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year", "suspension_threshold": "within a three-year period, accumulated 12 or more points", "title": "North Carolina \u2014 Driver's license point systems: suspension thresholds and lookback periods by US state", "type": "penalty-points-threshold", "verified": true}