DUI Points on Your License
A DUI or Wet Reckless on your DMV driver’s record in California results in 2 points on your license. You cannot go to traffic school for a DUI in California.
How long do DUI points remain on your license?
Two-point traffic ticket violations such as a DUI – VC 23152(a) or (b) or a VC 14601.2, VC 14601.4 or VC 14601.5 driving on a suspended license conviction will remain on your DMV record for 13 years – after 13 years you can make a request to the DMV to purge (remove) this violation from your record.
Too many points and your license is suspended
If you get a total of:-
- 4 points in a year
- 6 points in 2 years
- or 8 points in 3 years
– then the DMV will try to suspend your license for 6 months for being a negligent operator, a driver with too many points.
Examples of points
- Traffic infractions such as speeding and stop sign violations are worth 1 point.
- Accidents can be worth 1 point if you are at fault.
- Hit & run and Wet Reckless offenses are worth 2 points on your license.
Negligent Operator & Restricted License
If the DMV wants to suspend your license for being a negligent operator you are still entitled to a DMV Hearing and you might be able to get a restricted license if you drive a lot for work; so make sure you have a DMV Hearing in these situations.
Avoid getting points
Traffic School for traffic tickets
You cannot go to traffic school for a DUI in California nor can you do diversion or deferred entry of judgment for a DUI. (Please note if you are a Military Veteran and suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder you might be able to do a diversion program for a DUI.) However, you can do traffic school for traffic tickets.
You always want to be conscious of DMV points, as a DUI puts two DMV points on your license record. If you get charged with a DUI and a Hit and Run, or a DUI and Driving on a Suspended License, you are facing a total of four DMV points from these charges – as a Hit and Run is a two DMV point violation. Driving on a Suspended License also puts two additional DMV points on your record.
If you get four DMV points in a twelve month period, the DMV will send you a letter stating that your license will be suspended for six months for being a Negligent Operator. You always want to avoid additional DMV points going on your record from traffic tickets so it is always a good idea when you get a traffic ticket for a moving violation like speeding to consider fighting the ticket or requesting traffic school. Remember you can do traffic school once every 18 months to keep a DMV point off your record.
For more information about points for traffic tickets visit our Traffic Ticket website:-