What Happens if You Accumulate Too Many Points on Your Driving Record?

While going through your mail on a typical Saturday, your eyes catch something from the BMV that you’re not expecting. After tearing open the envelope, you realize that your license may be in jeopardy due to points that have added up fast with your latest traffic infraction.

We understand that your driver’s license is vital to your everyday life. Whether you are facing a speeding ticket or license suspension, our team at the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell can navigate the best way to keep you lawfully on the road. 

In Indiana, accumulating too many points on your driving record can trigger warning notices, license suspension, and higher insurance rates. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) assigns points based on violation severity. 

• Reaching 20 points within a 24-month period results in an automatic suspension. 
• Points remain on your license for two years, but convictions stay on your record for up to 10 years.

While getting a traffic ticket seems like a minor inconvenience, the consequences can follow you for years if the situation is not handled by an experienced attorney. 

How Does Indiana’s Point System Work?

The Indiana BMV maintains a point system to track moving violations. Each time you’re convicted of a traffic offense, points are added to your record based on the seriousness of the violation.

Common point values include:

• Two points: Exceeding the speed limit by 1–15 mph, failure to signal
• Four points: Exceeding the speed limit by 16–25 mph, illegal U-turn, texting while driving
• Six points: Exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 mph, reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
• Eight points: Drag racing, aggressive driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license
• 10 points: Reckless driving resulting in injuries, driving while impaired and causing an injury or fatal crash

How Will Points Affect You in Indiana?

14 to 18 Points

Once you reach 14 points, the Indiana BMV sends you a warning notice. This serves as a wakeup call and early alert. Our team can assist you with how your points affect your license and possible issues in the future. 

20 or More

Reaching 20 points within a 24-month period triggers an automatic administrative hearing and license suspension. According to Indiana Administrative Code 1-4.5-4-(b), suspension lengths increase with every two additional points:

• 20 points: one-month suspension
• 24 points: three-month suspension
• 30 points: six-month suspension
• 42 points: 12-month suspension

The math adds up quickly. A reckless driving conviction (six points) combined with a few speeding tickets can push you past the threshold faster than most people expect.

How Does a Point Accumulation Affect Your Insurance Rates?

Insurance companies have access to your driving record, and violations don’t go unnoticed. Even a single ticket can raise your premiums. Multiple offenses signal higher risk to insurers, which means higher costs for you that can last for years.

What Are the Consequences for Commercial Drivers?

For holders of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), the stakes are significantly higher. Traffic violations can disqualify commercial driving privileges entirely, putting your livelihood at risk. Even infractions that seem minor for standard license holders can have serious consequences for CDL drivers. 

Can You Reduce Points on Your Indiana Driving Record?

Completing a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program can remove four points from your license. However, this credit can only be earned once every three years. Drivers under 21 who are convicted of two or more traffic offenses are required to complete the program.

Some Indiana counties also offer deferral programs. Our attorneys can help determine if you are eligible for these programs and keep you behind the wheel.

Don’t Wait Until Your License Is on the Line

A single ticket may seem manageable, but your situation can change quickly as tickets and points start to add up. The Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell is here to prevent disruptions to your work, your family, and your daily life.

If you’ve received a traffic violation in Indiana, sitting down with an experienced traffic attorney can make the difference between losing your license or staying in the driver’s seat. 

The Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell regularly helps Indiana drivers navigate traffic violations and license issues. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and let us help keep you on the road.