In Texas, your driver's license can be suspended if you accumulate four or more moving violations within a 12-month period. This threshold is a key factor in determining when a driver may face license suspension due to their driving record.
Understanding License Suspension in Texas
Unlike some states that use a "points" system, Texas directly counts the number of specific violations over a defined period. The primary trigger for a potential driver's license suspension related to accumulating tickets is tied to the frequency of moving violations.
What Counts as a Moving Violation?
A "moving violation" refers to any infraction that occurs while your vehicle is in motion. This includes a wide range of offenses, such as:
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane change
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI) – while a severe moving violation, it also carries its own direct and often immediate suspension penalties separate from the cumulative count.
It's important to note that certain types of tickets, like parking tickets, do not count towards the total number of moving violations that lead to license suspension under this rule, as they do not involve the vehicle being in motion at the time of the violation.
The Suspension Threshold
The specific criteria for suspension based on accumulated tickets are:
- Four or more moving violations in a 12-month period.
- Seven or more moving violations in a 24-month period.
Meeting either of these criteria can trigger a driver's license suspension by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Consequences of a Suspended License
If your license is suspended, it means you are legally prohibited from driving for a specified period. Driving with a suspended license can lead to:
- Additional fines and surcharges.
- Further license suspensions.
- Vehicle impoundment.
- Potential jail time.
It can also significantly increase your car insurance rates.
How to Avoid License Suspension
Understanding the rules is the first step, but proactive measures can help you avoid reaching the suspension threshold.
1. Drive Safely and Responsibly
The most straightforward way to prevent accumulating violations is to adhere to traffic laws, avoid distractions, and drive defensively. This reduces your risk of being issued a ticket in the first place.
2. Consider Defensive Driving Courses
In many cases, if you receive a moving violation, you might be eligible to take a state-approved defensive driving course to dismiss the ticket.
- Benefits: This keeps the violation off your driving record, preventing it from counting towards the suspension threshold.
- Eligibility: Typically, you must not have dismissed a ticket this way within the last 12 months, and certain serious offenses (like DWI or passing a school bus) are often ineligible. You'll usually need to request this option from the court before your court date.
3. Contest Tickets
If you believe you were wrongly issued a ticket, you have the right to contest it in court.
- Options: You might present your case to a judge or negotiate with the prosecutor for a deferred disposition, which allows the ticket to be dismissed after a probationary period if you meet certain conditions (e.g., no new violations for a set time).
4. Understand Your Driving Record
Regularly reviewing your official Texas driving record can help you keep track of any violations and understand your current status. This allows you to address any discrepancies or take preventive action if you are nearing the suspension threshold.
Summary of Moving Violation Impact
| Number of Moving Violations | Time Period | Potential Outcome (Texas) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 12 months | No immediate license suspension solely based on count |
| 4 or more | 12 months | Potential driver's license suspension |
| 7 or more | 24 months | Potential driver's license suspension |
By understanding the specific number of moving violations that trigger a license suspension and taking proactive steps, Texas drivers can protect their driving privileges and maintain a clean record.
