Driver Record Points

Points:

Your traffic convictions and collisions stay on your record for 36 months, or longer, depending on the type of conviction.

The Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) is based on negligent operator points and consists of a computer-generated series of warning letters and progressive sanctions against the driving privilege.

You may be considered a negligent operator when your driving record shows one of the following “point count” totals:

• 4 points in 12 months.
• 6 points in 24 months.
• 8 points in 36 months.

Suspension or Revocation:

If you get too many negligent driver points, DMV will place you on probation for 1 year (which includes a 6-month suspension) or revoke your driving privilege (refer to the topics included in the “Administrative” section on pages 108–114). Your suspension or revocation order informs you of your right to a hearing.

At the end of the suspension or revocation period, you may apply for a new DL and must show proof of financial responsibility. DMV will revoke your DL if you are convicted of a hit-and-run or reckless driving that resulted in injury.

Getting a Ticket:

If you are stopped by a peace officer and cited for a traffic law violation, you sign a promise to appear in traffic court. When you go to court, you may plead guilty or not guilty, or you may forfeit (pay) the citation fine. Paying the fine is the same as a guilty plea.

If you ignore the traffic ticket and do not keep your promise to appear in court, the failure to appear (FTA) goes on your driver record. Even a single FTA can cause DMV to suspend your DL. To end the suspension, you must clear all FTAs with the court, and pay a DL reissue fee of $55. Legislation effective June 27, 2017, no longer allows courts to notify DMV if you fail to pay a fine (FTP). Failing to pay a fine will no longer result in the suspension of your DL. To get more information, visit the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov.

Each time you are convicted of a moving traffic law violation, the court notifies DMV and the conviction is placed on your DL record. Convictions reported by other states are also added to your driver record.

Collisions on Your Record:

DMV retains information on every collision reported to DMV by:

• Law enforcement, unless the reporting officer states another person
was at fault.

• You or another party involved in the collision, if any one person has over

$1,000 in damage, or if anyone is injured or dies.
It does not matter who caused the collision; DMV must keep this record.