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HOW DMV POINT SYSTEM WORKS

How the DMV point system works in California:

Written by: 

Francisco J Rodriguez

Jurisdiction: California

A detailed explanation of how the California DMV sets points and suspensions for having too many points. Warning this may not be up to date.

How points are assigned?

Most traffic violations carry one point. Some carry two, such as a DUI or speeding at over one hundred miles an hour. If you are not sure check www.californiatrafficdefensecenter.com to see how many points your violation may carry. Also, some violations carry no points. The point system is based on violations that are negligent and dangerous. Driving without a license carries no points and is, arguably, not dangerous

How long do they stay on my record?

A one-pointer will stay on your record for three years. Two pointers will stay for seven - except for a DUI which stays for 10 years (and is priorable for ten years).

What is the max number of points that I can get before a suspension is put in place?

4 points in a 12 month period, 6 points in a 24 month period, and 8 points in a 36 month period will get you suspended. Commercial drivers have a higher point count, but their tickets also carry a higher point count.

Why should I avoid points?

Because if you don't your insurance rates will go way, way up. Also, as noted above your chances for getting suspended will increase with every ticket that you get. Some tickets carry jail as a punishment. If you find yourself in need of help with any traffic ticket or DMV matter see us at www.californialegaldefense.com or call me at 415.378.4133

TABLE OF POINT COUNT FOR CALIFORNIA DRIVING VIOLATIONS

POINT COUNTS FOR MOVING VIOLATIONS:

One Point Count California Vehicle Code Violations

Section

Violation

2800

Disobedience to traffic officer

2800.1

Evading peace officer

2801

Disobedience to fire official

2803, 2803a, 2803b, 2803c

Unsafe vehicle load

2815

Disregarding non-student crossing guard

2816

Youth bus/children crossing highway

2817

Disregarding funeral escort officer

2818

Crossing safety flares/cones

14601.5

Driving, suspended/revoked for refusing test

14603

Violation of license restrictions

21100.3

Disregarding traffic officer's directions

21209, 21209a

Driving in bicycle lane

21367, 21367a, 21367b, 21367c

Disobedience to traffic signs/controller

21451, 21451a, 21451b

Illegal movement/green light/arrow

21452, 21452a

Illegal movement/yellow light/arrow

21453, 21453a, 21453b, 21453c

Illegal movement/red/light/arrow

21454, 21454a - d, 21455

Traffic signals

21457, 21457a, 21457b

Disobedience to flashing signals

21460a, 21460b

Double lines/one broken line

21460.5c

Use of two-way left turn lane

21461, 21461a, 21462

Disobedience to traffic control device

21650, 21650a - f

Keep right

21651, 21651a

Crossing divided highway

21652

Entering highway from service road

21654, 21654a, 21654b, 21655, 21655b

Lane use/slow moving vehicle

21655.8

High-occupancy vehicle lane/entering/exiting

21656 - 21662, 21662a, 21662b

Improper lane use

21663

Driving on sidewalk

21664

Freeway ramp/entering/exiting

21700

Load obstructing driver's view

21701

Interfering with driver's control of vehicle

21702, 21702a, 21702b

Driving hours limitation

21703, 21704, 21704a, 21705, 21706

Following too closely

21707

Driving in fire area

21709

Driving in safety zone

21711

Towed vehicle swerving

21712, 21712a, 21712d, 21712f, 21715, 21715a, 21715b

Unlawful riding/towing

21717

Turning across bicycle lane

21750 - 21757, 21758, 21759

Illegal passing

21800 - 21804, 21804a, 21804b

Right-of-way

21805, 21805b

Yielding right-of-way to horseback rider

21806, 21806a

Yielding right-of-way to emergency vehicle

21807

Unsafe operation of emergency vehicle

21950, 21950a, 21951, 21952

Yielding right-of-way to pedestrian

21954, 21954b

Due care for pedestrian on roadway

21960a

Prohibited use of freeway

21963

Yielding right-of-way to blind pedestrian

22100 - 22105

Turning and U-turns

22106

Unsafe starting/backing of vehicle

22107 - 22111, 22111a, 22111b, 22111c

Signaling turns and stops

22112, 22112a

School bus signaling

22348, 22348a, 22348c

Speed/use of designated lanes

22349, 22349.5

Maximum speed

22350, 22351, 22352, 22352a, 22352b

Basic/prima facie speed limit

22354, 22355

Exceeding posted/freeway speed limit

22356, 22356b

Maximum speed 70 mph

22357, 22358.4

Speed in excess of local limits

22359, 22360, 22361

Speed in excess of local limits

22362

Speed/construction zone

22363

Restricted speed/weather conditions

22364

Speed/traffic lanes

22400, 22400a, 22400b

Driving too slow

22405, 22405a

Speed/bridge/tunnel

22406, 22407

Maximum designated vehicle speed

22409, 22410

Speed/solid/metal tires

22413

Speed limit on grades

22450, 22451, 22452, 22452a, 22452b

Stop required/railroad crossing

22454

Stop for school bus

23109, 23109b, 23109d

Speed contest/aiding or abetting

23116, 23116a

Transporting person in truck load space

23127

Driving on trails and paths

23220

Drinking while driving

23222, 23222a, 23222b

Marijuana or open container/driving

23235

Ignition interlock verification

23244, 23244b

Defeating ignition interlock device

23253

Disobedience to toll highway officer

23270, 23270a

Unauthorized towing

23330, 23330c

Width/load of vehicle at crossing

23336

Disobedience to sign/vehicle crossing

24002, 24002a, 24002b

Unsafe/unlawfully equipped vehicle

24004

Operation after notice by officer

24250

Lighting equipment

24409, 24409a, 24409b

Failure to dim lights

24604

Lamps/flag for extended load

25103, 25103a, 25103b

Lamps on projecting load

26301, 26302, 26302a, 26302b, 26302c

Brakes

26303, 26304, 26304a, 26304b

Brakes/combination vehicles

26307

Forklift truck brakes

26311, 26311a, 26311b, 26311c

All wheel service brakes

26456, 26457

Brakes/stopping distance

26458, 26458a, 26458.5

Braking system/towing vehicles

26502a

Adjustment/use of air brakes

26503 - 26506, 26506a, 26507

Airbrake system

26508, 26508a - c, 26508e - k, 26508o

Emergency stopping system

26520, 26521, 26522

Vacuum brakes

27360, 27360a - c, 27360.5, 27360a - c

Child Passenger restraint

27363, 27363b

Child seat belt

27800, 27801, 27801a, 27801b

Motorcycle/passengers and equipment

29001, 29002

Fifth wheel connecting/locking device

29003a, 29003b, 29003c

Hitch and coupling device

29004, 29004a - c, 29006, 29006a

Towed vehicle coupling

29201

Pole dolly/load and length

31301, 31301a

Caldecott tunnel restrictions

31303, 31303b, 31303c, 31303e

Hazardous waste transportation

31402

Farm labor vehicle/unsafe operation

31540, 31504b

Removable containers/regulations

31614, 31614a, 3164b, 31614d - f 31614h, 31614i

Explosives transportation

32104, 32104a, 32104b, 32105, 32105a, 32105c-e

Inhalation hazard transportation

32106, 32106a - d

Inhalation hazard transportation

34102

Tank vehicle regulations

34501.2, 34501a, 34501c

Driving hours limitations

34506, 34506a - g

Driving hours, equipment, maintenance, operation

34506.3

Safety regulation violation

34509, 34509c, 34509d

Vanpool vehicle maintenance inspection

35784, 35784a, 35784b

Violation of special permit

35784.5, 35784a, 35784b

Extralegal load/weight

36400

Lift-carrier/speed

36705

Bale wagon load width during darkness

Two Point Count California Vehicle Code Violations

Section

Violation

2800.2, 2800.3

Evading peace officer/reckless driving

14601, 14601a,14601 b, 14601.1- 14601.4

Driving while suspended/revoked

20001, 20001a 20002, 20002a, 20002b

Hit and run/injury/property damage

21651b

Driving wrong side/divided highway

22348b

Speed over 100 MPH

23103, 23103a,23103 b

Reckless driving

23104, 23104a

Reckless driving/causing bodily injury

23109a, 23109c

Speed contest /exhibition of speed

23140, 23140a, 23140b

Minor driving with BAC of 0.05% or more

23152, 23152a-d

DUI/alcoholic beverage or drugs

23153, 23153a-d

DUI/causing bodily injury or death

31602, 31602a, 31602b, 31602c

Explosives transportation

Other Common California Code Violations Used In Negligent Operator Count

Section

Code

Violation

Points

49307 or 12059

Education

Disobedience to school safety patrol

1

191.5a, 192c1-192c4, 192.3c, 192.3d

Penal

Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence

2

192c, 192.3, 192.3a, 192.3b

Penal

Vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence

1

27176

Streets and highways

Speeding on Golden Gate Bridge

1

 One Point Count Out of State Violations

Section

Violation

Section

Violation

01

Speed/too fast or over speed limit

34

Entering/exiting from thoroughfare

03

Speed/too slow or failure to turn out

40

Illegally modified vehicle

04

Passing/illegal, improper or unsafe

45

Explosives transportation

05

Following too close

51

Equipment/unsafe, illegal or defective

06

Failure to yield right-of-way

58

Driving while impaired

07

Illegal/unsafe use or change of lanes

61

Child passenger seat restraint

08

Tuirns/illegal or unsafe

67

Defective headlights

09

Signaling/improper or no signal

69

Following emergency vehicle unlawfully

10

Failure to obey traffic control device

70

Using vehicle for felony/aiding or abetting

11

Crossing double lines/markers/dividers

72

Erratic driving/suddenly changing speeds

12

Wrong way on one-way street

73

Fleeing scene or evading arrest by turning lights off when lights required

13

Brakes

74

Unsafe operation of a motor vehicle

14

Lights

75

Driving off road/on shoulder/on sidewalk

21

Violation of restricted license

77

No required equipment/using prohibited equipment

26

Negligent/careless/inattentive driving

86

Felony involving commercial vehicle

27

Starting or backing/illegal or unsafe

87

Felony controlled substance/commercial vehicle

28

Driving in a prohibited area

88

Speeding 15 mph plus/commercial vehicle

30

Disobedience of lawful order

91

Illegal lane change/commercial vehicle

31

Towing/improper, unsafe or illegal

92

Following too closely/commercial vehicle

32

Obstructing driver's view or interfering

93

Fatal accident violation/commercial vehicle

33

Unlawful riding on motor vehicle

Two Point Count Out of State Violations

Section

Violation

Section

Violation

02

Speed contest/aiding or abetting

38

DUI/dangerous drugs not narcotics

15

Reckless driving

46

Manslaughter without gross negligence

16

Reckless driving/injury

47

Manslaughter with gross negligence

17

Drunk driving

81

DUI/BAC 0.04% aor more/commercial vehicle

18

Drunk driving/injury

82

DUI/commercial vehicle

19

Hit and run

84

DUI/controlled substance/commercial vehicle

20

Driving while suspended or revoked

85

Hit and run/commercial vehicle

37

DUI/narcotics

89-90

Reckless driving/commercial vehicle

Code of Federal Regulations Violations 

Section

Violation

Points

36423 or 36FR46

DUI/alcoholic beverage or any drug

2