How the DMV point system works in California:
Written by:
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