There are major consequences for receiving points, which is why it’s a good idea to speak with a traffic ticket attorney after getting a traffic citation. If you received a traffic ticket for any moving violation, contact the California traffic ticket attorneys at Fight My Ticket for a free consultation. Fill out the form or call us at 1-800-655-7505.
What Is The California Point System?
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) keeps a record of points given for traffic convictions and accidents. This record is public and anyone can request a copy of it. Drivers receive points for moving violations such as making illegal turns, reckless driving or running a red light. As stated on the DMV website, you can receive from 1-2 points for a traffic ticket and 1 point for an accident.
Tickets for running a red light, speeding, or unsafe lane changes will get you 1 point on your license. Tickets for more serious violations such as hit-and-run, DUI, or reckless driving will get you 2 points.
The DMV keeps a watch on your record and can issue a restriction, suspension, probation, or revoke your license altogether based on your record. That’s why it’s vital to fight traffic infractions that can end up costing you points. Points to your driving record can also result in an increase in your car insurance, which can ultimately end up costing you a lot of money.
You can check the status of your points by making a request for your driver record at your local DMV office, online, or by mail.
How Long Do Points Last?
Points stay on your record for quite a while. Most common violations result in 1 point that stays on your record for three years. More serious violations, such as a DUI, resulting in 2 points that last for 10 to 13 years.
Too many points can lead to a license suspension because the state will deem you too dangerous to be operating a vehicle. In California, your license will be suspended for 6 months if you get:
- 4 points in a year
- 6 points in 2 years
- 8 points in 3 years
After the designated time is done the points will automatically be taken off your record.
Why We Recommend Fighting Your Traffic Ticket
Accumulating points is easy, getting rid of them is not so much. That’s why we always recommend fighting your tickets. If you choose to simply pay off your traffic ticket, you are risking getting at least 1 point on your driver’s license record. All it takes is 4 points to get your license suspended.
The best way to avoid getting points on your driving record is to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. However, in the real world mistakes happen. Sometimes receiving a traffic citation is inevitable. That’s why it’s so important to fight your citations in order to keep a clean driving record. You do not want to end up with high insurance rates or with a suspended license because you’ve accumulated too many points. This is even more crucial if your job involves driving because then your livelihood depends on you keeping your driving privileges.
If you received a traffic citation for a moving violation paying your ticket will be an admission of guilt and will cause you to get points on your driving record. If you don’t want to risk losing you driving privileges, contact a California traffic ticket attorney to fight your ticket. Call the experienced traffic attorneys at Fight My Ticket today for a free consultation. Fill out the form or call us at 1-800-655-7505.
