How many points do you get on your license after receiving a speeding ticket?
If you’re wondering how many points for a speeding ticket on your license, the answer depends on the state you live in. Some states will put as few as two to four points on a license, while others impose steeper penalties. Not only do you get fees, possible jail time, and the potential suspension of your license, you’ll also face an increase in your insurance rates.
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Brad Larson
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Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
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UPDATED: Jan 27, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 27, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The amount of points you receive on your license after a speeding ticket depends on the state in which you reside — not every state has a point system in place
- You’ll receive fewer points for a minor speeding violation compared to criminal speeding
- Speeding tickets come with fines as well as possible jail time, the loss of your license, and higher insurance rates
It can happen to anyone — you’re driving along your usual route on the way to work, not paying quite as much attention as you probably should be. You’re moving with the speed of traffic when you see something no one wants to detect — the flash of red and blue lights behind you.
Receiving a speeding ticket is a frustration we can all do without, but it happens to many of us. Speeding tickets are typically accompanied by a fine, but some states might impose jail time for driving too fast.
Depending on the state, you’ll likely accumulate points on your license as well. If you receive too many points, you can lose your license.
Of course, a speeding ticket will also cause your auto insurance rates to increase. Even one speeding ticket can negatively affect your insurance rates for years. If you get a ticket, you can take steps to obtain the lowest insurance rates possible.
If your driving record isn’t perfect and you’re wondering how many points you get for a speeding ticket on your license, comparing rates from numerous companies can help you save money. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to discover what quotes might look like for you.
How many points accompany a speeding ticket?
While not every state has a point system, most states monitor traffic violations through a series of points. If you receive too many points within a specified period, your license will likely be suspended.
So, how many points do you get on your license? It depends on your state. Some states will add four points to a license while others inflict fewer. You can compare minor traffic violations with major infractions in the graph below.
State Points for Minor Violation Points for Major Violation
Alabama 2 6
Alaska 2 10
Arizona 2 8
Arkansas 2 8
California 1 2
Colorado 4 12
Connecticut 1 5
Delaware 2 6
Florida 3 6
Georgia 1 6
Hawaii (No point system) N/A N/A
Idaho 1 4
Illinois 5 55
Indiana 2 8
Iowa 2 6
Kansas (No point system) N/A N/A
Kentucky 3 6
Louisiana (No point system) N/A N/A
Maine 2 8
Maryland 1 12
Massachusetts 2 5
Michigan 2 6
Minnesota (No point system) N/A N/A
Mississippi (No point system) N/A N/A
Missouri 3 12
Montana 2 15
Nebraska 1 12
Nevada 1 8
New Hampshire 2 6
New Jersey 2 8
New Mexico 2 8
New York 2 11
North Carolina 1 5
North Dakota 1 24
Ohio 2 6
Oklahoma 1 4
Oregon (No point system) N/A N/A
Pennsylvania 2 5
Rhode Island (No point system) N/A N/A
South Carolina 2 6
South Dakota 2 10
Tennessee 1 8
Texas 1 8
Utah 35 80
Vermont 2 8
Virginia 3 6
Washington (No point system) N/A N/A
West Virginia 2 8
Wisconsin 2 6
Wyoming (No point system) N/A N/A
The key difference between a major and minor violation for speeding is the amount by which you break the speed limit. A simple speeding ticket weighs less than criminal speeding.
What is criminal speeding?
Criminal speeding has different definitions based on the state in which you’re driving, but the concept is the same. Whenever you cross the line from minor speeding into reckless driving, you’re criminally speeding.
Some states have harsh definitions for criminal speeding. For example, Arizona state law regards anything over 20 miles an hour over the posted speed limit as criminal speeding.
Others, like Alabama, consider speeding a criminal offense no matter what. While you won’t be charged with criminal speeding, you can accumulate reckless driving charges.
Whatever your state law regulates, anything considered criminal will add a higher number of points to your license. Speeding was responsible for 26% of all traffic-related deaths in 2019. Harsh penalties for criminal speeding attempt to reduce the number of fatalities on the road.
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How long do points remain on your license?
The amount of time you’re stuck with points depends on your state. Some states drop points relatively quickly, while others keep them active for much longer.
State Length of time for points to expire
Alabama 2 years
Alaska 2 points every year with no additional incidents
Arizona 12 months
Arkansas 36 months
California 36 months for minor violations, 10 years for major
Colorado Points don't expire
Connecticut 24 months
Delaware Point lose half value after every 12 months
Florida 5 years
Georgia 2 years
Hawaii (No point system) N/A
Idaho 3 years
Illinois 4 to 5 years for minor violations, at least 7 for major
Indiana 2 years
Iowa 5 years for minor violations, 12 years for DUI
Kansas (No point system) N/A
Kentucky 2 years
Louisiana (No point system) N/A
Maine 1 year
Maryland 2 years
Massachusetts 6 years
Michigan 2 years
Minnesota (No point system) N/A
Mississippi (No point system) N/A
Missouri 3 years
Montana 3 years
Nebraska 5 years
Nevada 12 months
New Hampshire 3 years
New Jersey 3 points every year without incident
New Mexico 1 year
New York 18 months
North Carolina 3 years
North Dakota 1 point every 3 months
Ohio 2 years
Oklahoma 2 points every 12 months, all points will be removed after 3 years with no incident
Oregon (No point system) N/A
Pennsylvania 3 points every 12 months
Rhode Island (No point system) N/A
South Carolina Reduced by half after 1 year, all points dropped after 2 years
South Dakota Depends on violation
Tennessee 2 years
Texas 3 years
Utah 3 years
Vermont 2 years
Virginia 2 years
Washington (No point system) N/A
West Virginia 2 years
Wisconsin Points stay on as long a ticket is on your driving record
Wyoming (No point system) N/A
Some states retain points for a much shorter timeframe, but you can usually expect points to be removed from your license within one to two years.
How to Check Points on a License
If you’ve recently received a traffic violation, you might not know how many points are on your license. Luckily, determining how many points you have is very straightforward.
Learning how many points are on your license is as simple as visiting your state’s MVD page. However, you might need to create an account to access your record. Once you access it, look for a service called “driver license check” or something similar.
Most states can show you how many points are on your license, but you might need to use a different method. If the online option isn’t available, you can call, mail in a form, or visit the MVD in person.
Why does insurance cost more after a speeding ticket?
Unfortunately, having traffic violations on your record makes you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies. Drivers with violations are statistically more likely to have future incidents.
The amount your insurance will increase after a speeding ticket depends on your state and insurance company. Typically, it increases by approximately 25%.
Some insurance companies impose steep increases after a single speeding ticket, sometimes doubling the price of coverage. Others don’t seem to care as much, with rates increasing by minuscule amounts.
The variation in how companies treat speeding tickets highlights why comparing quotes from different companies is vital. (For more information, read our “How long does a ticket stay on your record?“).
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Find the Best Insurance After a Speeding Ticket
Whether it’s six points on a license or ten, traffic incidents on your record will almost always make your insurance go up. However, comparing insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you save money.
If you’ve been wondering how many points are accumulated for a speeding ticket and how those points will affect your insurance, consider shopping for insurance options to save money. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to determine what quotes might look like for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points accompany a speeding ticket?
The number of points you receive on your license for a speeding ticket depends on the state you live in. Some states may add as few as two to four points, while others impose steeper penalties. Accumulating too many points within a specific period can result in license suspension.
What is considered criminal speeding?
Criminal speeding refers to crossing the line from minor speeding to reckless driving. The definition of criminal speeding varies by state, but it generally involves exceeding the speed limit by a significant margin. Different states have different thresholds for what constitutes criminal speeding.
How long do points remain on your license?
The duration for which points remain on your license depends on the state. While some states remove points relatively quickly, others may keep them active for a longer period. In general, you can expect points to be removed from your license within one to two years.
Why does insurance cost more after a speeding ticket?
Insurance costs increase after a speeding ticket because having traffic violations on your record makes you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies. Drivers with violations are statistically more likely to have future incidents. The exact increase in insurance rates varies by state and insurance company but is typically around 25%.
How can I find the best insurance after a speeding ticket?
To find the best insurance after a speeding ticket, it’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. Rates can vary significantly, and shopping around allows you to find the most affordable options. You can use our free tool by entering your ZIP code to compare quotes and determine what rates might look like for you.
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.