Texas suspends your license when you reach 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months

Texas uses a point system to track driving violations. Each traffic violation you're convicted of adds points to your record. When you hit certain thresholds within specific time windows, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) automatically suspends your license. The suspension is mandatory — there's no discretion once you cross the point limit for your time period.

The three suspension triggers are straightforward: 12 points in any 12-month period, 18 points in any 24-month period, or 24 points in any 36-month period. You only need to hit one of these to face suspension. DPS counts points from the date of conviction, not the date of the violation itself, so the timing of court outcomes matters.

Your first suspension typically lasts 30 days. If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, subsequent suspensions last 60 days, then 180 days. The length increases each time you're suspended within a five-year period.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas suspends your license automatically when you reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months — you cannot avoid it by paying fines or taking a course after the fact.
  • Common violations add 2 to 6 points; serious violations like reckless driving or driving with a suspended license add more, and some violations like DWI add points plus other penalties.
  • You receive a notice of suspension by mail from DPS, and your suspension becomes effective 10 days after you receive it unless you request a hearing within that window.
  • You can request a hearing to challenge the suspension if you believe DPS made an error in calculating your points, but you must act within 10 days of receiving the notice.
  • After suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100) and may need to file an SR-22 form with your insurance company before you can legally drive again.

How Points Are Assigned for Different Violations

Texas assigns points based on the type of violation. A speeding ticket typically adds 3 points if you're going 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit, or 4 points if you're going 11 to 20 miles per hour over. Reckless driving adds 4 points. Failure to yield, improper lane change, and following too closely each add 2 points.

More serious violations carry heavier point loads. Driving with a suspended or revoked license adds 6 points. A conviction for driving under the influence (DWI) adds 6 points, though DWI also triggers separate consequences beyond the point system, including a separate administrative license suspension. Hit-and-run adds 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident adds 3 points.

Some violations don't add points at all — parking tickets, for example, or violations that result in a warning rather than a conviction. Only violations you're convicted of count toward your total. If you contest a ticket in court and win, no points are added.

When DPS Sends You a Suspension Notice

DPS monitors your driving record continuously. When you cross a point threshold, DPS sends you a written notice by mail. This notice tells you the effective date of your suspension, which is 10 days after you receive the notice. The notice also explains your right to request a hearing.

You do not have to wait for the suspension to take effect. If you receive the notice and realize you're about to lose your license, you have 10 days from receipt to request a hearing. This is your only window to challenge the suspension before it becomes active. After the 10 days pass, you cannot request a hearing — you can only explore for reinstatement once the suspension period ends.

Keep the notice. You'll need it to prove the suspension date when you explore for reinstatement, and you'll need it if you want to request a hearing. If you don't receive a notice, contact DPS directly to confirm your point total and suspension status.

Requesting a Hearing Before Suspension Takes Effect

If you believe DPS made an error — for example, if you think a conviction shouldn't have been reported to your record, or if you think the points were miscalculated — you can request a hearing. You must submit your request in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. Send it to the address listed on the notice.

At the hearing, you can present evidence that the suspension should not take effect. Common grounds for challenge include: DPS counted a point twice, DPS included a violation that was dismissed or acquitted, or DPS included a violation from outside the applicable time window. You cannot argue that you shouldn't have been convicted of the violation itself — the hearing is only about whether DPS correctly applied the point system to your record.

If you request a hearing, your suspension is delayed while DPS reviews your case. If you win, the suspension is cancelled. If you lose, the suspension takes effect, usually within a few days of the hearing decision.

Reinstatement After Your Suspension Ends

Once your suspension period is over, you cannot straightforward start driving again. You must formally reinstate your license through DPS. Reinstatement requires paying a fee (currently $100) and submitting the reinstatement process. You can explore online through the DPS website, by mail, or in person at a DPS office.

If your suspension was triggered by a DWI conviction, you'll also need to file an SR-22 form with your insurance company. This is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you're insured. Your insurance company files it directly with DPS. You cannot legally drive until both the reinstatement fee is paid and the SR-22 is on file.

For other violations (non-DWI), an SR-22 is not required by law, but some insurance companies may require it anyway. Check with your insurer before you explore for reinstatement.

How to Check Your Current Point Total

You can view your driving record through the DPS website or by visiting a DPS office in person. Online, you'll need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows every conviction on your file, the points assigned to each, and the date of conviction. This tells you exactly where you stand relative to the suspension thresholds.

Checking your record is free and takes a few minutes. If you see a violation you don't recognize or believe is wrong, you can dispute it through DPS. Disputes can take several weeks to resolve, so if you're close to a suspension threshold, don't wait — check now and address any errors when ready.

Reducing Points Through Defensive Driving Course

Texas allows you to reduce your point total by taking an approved defensive driving course. A course removes 3 points from your record, but only if you take it before you're convicted of the violation. Once you're convicted, the course cannot remove those points retroactively.

You can take a defensive driving course once every 12 months and once every three years for insurance purposes. The course can be taken online or in person, and most take four to eight hours. After you complete it, you receive a certificate that you submit to DPS. The 3-point reduction takes effect once DPS processes the certificate.

This is useful for preventing suspension if you're approaching a threshold, but it won't help if you've already been suspended. It also won't help if you're already convicted — the course must be completed before conviction to count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my suspension is pending if I requested a hearing?

No. Your suspension takes effect 10 days after you receive the notice unless you request a hearing. Even if you request a hearing, you cannot drive during the waiting period. Your license is suspended as of day 10 unless the hearing officer cancels it. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Texas suspension?

Yes. Texas counts violations from other states if they're reported to your Texas driving record. This happens through the Interstate Compact, an agreement between states to share conviction information. An out-of-state speeding ticket or DWI will add points to your Texas record if you're convicted.

What happens if I get a ticket while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that adds 6 points to your record. If you're caught driving during suspension, you face criminal charges, fines, and potentially jail time in addition to the original suspension. Do not drive until your suspension is lifted and you've completed reinstatement.

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

Texas does not issue hardship or occupational licenses for point-based suspensions. You must wait out the suspension period. The only exception is if your suspension was triggered by a DWI, in which case you may be able to obtain an occupational license through the court that convicted you, but this requires a separate court petition and is not automatic.

How long do points stay on my record?

Points remain on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. After three years, they're removed and no longer count toward suspension. However, the conviction itself stays on your record permanently for insurance and background check purposes — only the points expire.