California uses a driver’s license point system to monitor and penalize drivers who break traffic laws or engage in careless driving. Drivers may face one to three points on their driving record for each offense, depending on the severity of the action.
Drivers who accrue enough points in a set period can face the loss of their driving privileges. A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide more information about this system, specific points for different actions, and information about protecting your driver’s license.
A driver’s license in a brown wallet. The points on your license mean that you engaged in traffic violations or offenses.
What License Point System Does California Use?
California uses a point system called the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS). The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers this system and determines when someone should get a point on their license. This system allows the DMV to suspend an individual’s driving privileges if they accrue too many points on their driving record.
What Earns Points in California?
Drivers get points through NOTS for traffic convictions (or violations of the state’s traffic laws) and for causing accidents. Due to California’s comparative negligence laws, drivers can get points through NOTS even if they only hold partial fault for an accident.
Will the Point System Impact Your Insurance?
Each point added to your driver’s license in California can increase your insurance rates. Getting too many traffic violations in too short a period can significantly increase the amount you pay your insurance company.
What Do Negligent Operator Points Mean?
Negligent Operator Points in California refer to points added to a driver’s record for traffic violations as part of NOTS. When law enforcement finds you responsible for a collision, typically, one or two points will be added to your license, depending on the case.
California’s points-based system takes traffic violations seriously, especially driving under the influence of alcohol, which can result in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license, regardless of the points that you receive. Your lawyer can explain more about how many points a DUI is in California and go over other charges.
One-Point Traffic Violation Convictions in California
Drivers may receive one point on their license if they get a ticket from a law enforcement officer for:
- Running a traffic light
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Running a stop sign in California
- Engaging in unsafe passing or an unsafe lane change
- Failing to stop for a school bus
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Making an illegal U-turn
- Violating HOV regulations
Two-Point Traffic Violation Convictions in California
Some traffic violations result in two points in California, such as:
- Exceeding 100 mph while driving
- Engaging in reckless driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or drunk driving
- Committing a hit-and-run
- Driving with a revoked license
- Driving with a suspended license
- Attempting to evade a police officer
Points for Commercial Vehicle Operators
Commercial drivers in California can receive up to three points on their license for a single driving offense because they receive points at 1 1/2 times their usual value while operating vehicles that require a Class A or Class B license. For example, a commercial driver charged with reckless driving could receive three points on their driving record instead of two.
You Can Receive Points for Out-of-State Convictions
California’s driver’s license point system will track traffic violations that occur out-of-state and add them to your license. For example, you can get two points on your license for a conviction for drunk driving in Arizona. These points impact your driving record in California.
An out-of-state accident can result in points on your license in California if the DMV receives information about the collision through:
- The Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)
- Another state’s law enforcement agency
- The National Driver Register
When the other state does not enter enough information for California’s DMV to assess fault, you will not have points added to your driving record. However, you may receive points if another state reports that you caused an accident while engaging in drunk driving.
How Many Points Can You Accrue in California?
California has different thresholds for losing your license. Drivers who get a lot of points in a short period are considered more dangerous than drivers who get points only occasionally.
You may lose your driving privileges if you accrue:
- Four points in one year
- Six points in two years
- Eight points in three years
The court starts tracking points from the date of the offense. If the court convicted you of reckless driving on May 5, and then you had a DUI arrest on May 4 of the next year, you would have four points in a year and lose your license. If the DUI arrest happened two days later, on May 6, it would be more than a year, and the points would not cost you your license.
Some Drivers May Get a Higher Point Count
California allows some Class A and Class B drivers to accrue more points before they face issues with their licenses under VC 12810.5. Drivers may qualify if they:
- Request a NOTS hearing
- Appear at the hearing
- Their points are not attributable to the operation of vehicles requiring a Class C license
Drivers with special endorsements or certificates, such as those for farm labor equipment, transport of hazardous materials, and general public paratransit, cannot request a higher point count.
For example, drivers cannot request more points if they have a certificate to operate a(n):
- School bus (Or school pupil activity bus)
- Ambulance
- Youth bus
- Tour bus
What Can You Do if You Have Too Many Points?
You could keep points off your license after receiving a traffic ticket as a first-time violator of traffic laws. Generally, you have to sign up for a California driving school or driver improvement program to handle the points. Completing a safe driving course can prevent the insurance company from raising your rates and help you protect your driving privileges.
Steps you can take if you have too many points:
- Determine your eligibility to attend a driver improvement program
- Sign up for a safe driving course
- Complete your course
- Notify the DMV that you completed the course
Does Defensive Driving School Remove All Points?
Drivers can only attend defensive driving school for specific offenses. Generally, you cannot participate in a defensive driving school to remove points for:
- Offenses like failure to appear in court (non-moving offenses)
- Any misdemeanor offenses
- Offenses related to alcohol usage (driving under the influence or wet reckless charges)
- Any infractions that involve a commercial vehicle
Under California’s points-based system, completion of the defensive driving school could remove a point from your license. However, you cannot remove the two points associated with an arrest for driving with a high blood alcohol concentration through a defensive driving program.
Do Points Come Off Your License Eventually?
Generally, points come off your license after three years in California. However, some traffic violations remain on your license longer due to the rules in the driver’s license point system. For example, the points-based system keeps track of DUI convictions for up to 10 years.
A Lawyer Can Help Keep Points Off of Your License
The best thing to do after getting a ticket is to fight the charges. If you avoid a conviction, you will not get the points, period. This can help you keep your driver’s license and prevent the excessive penalties that DUI and other offenses now carry.
You can reach out to a criminal defense attorney immediately for help with DUI charges:
- Getting your charges dropped: A lawyer can push the court to drop your DUI charges if the prosecution lacks enough evidence to secure a conviction or if the police violated your rights.
- Get your charges reduced: In some cases, a lawyer may advise you to accept a plea bargain to lower charges for a DUI. The prosecution may not offer this kind of deal to a high-risk driver. You must accept fault for a less serious charge to take a plea bargain.
- Represent you in court: An attorney can help you avoid fines, time in county jail, and the suspension of driving privileges. You can learn more by reaching out to a law firm today.
Learn More About What California’s License Point System Means From a Lawyer
You can get more information about the driver’s license point system from a team of legal professionals. We can help you contact a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles if you face an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.
