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What are driver license points?
What are driver license points?

What are driver license points?

On Behalf of | Nov 23, 2019 | Traffic Violations |

It is easy to believe that you have dealt with a traffic ticket for good by simply paying it off and moving on. However, some Florida drivers may not be aware that a traffic ticket violation can have longer lasting effects. In fact, your traffic violation is recorded as points on your driving record. Accumulating too many points may result in your license being suspended.

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website explains that when a person is convicted of a traffic violation, points may be placed on that person’s driving record. You can earn points if you commit a violation in the state of Florida or in another state. In the event you are cited in another state for violating traffic law, the citation is relayed to Florida and points are accordingly placed on your record.

Not all traffic offenses merit the same number of points. If you drive too fast for current road conditions, do not stop at a red light, or do not yield right of way to a pedestrian, you may earn three points. Reckless driving or failing to stop for a school bus are considered more severe offenses and may merit four points. Offenses involving car accidents, such as leaving an accident scene without disclosing information when the property damage exceeds $50, can go up to six points.

Driving record points will stay on a person’s record at least five years following conviction of a traffic offense. This is why letting traffic offenses go uncontested may become a problem. A driving record that accumulates too many points in too short a time will likely result in a suspension of driving privileges. For instance, drivers who gain 12 points in 12 months will have their license for thirty days. Some suspensions can last much longer.

Some drivers might not be aware that their license has been revoked until they are pulled over by a police officer and cited for driving with a suspended license. These and other problems stemming from too many points on a driving record makes fighting traffic charges an option to consider. If your license does get revoked, there will also be steps involved to getting your license back when you are eligible to do so.

This article is written only to educate readers on driving license suspension in Florida and is not to be taken as legal advice.

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