Every state has a system in place which accumulates points on an individual’s driving record, based on their not-so-great driving habits.
The number of points determines whether a person gets to keep their driver’s license or get it suspended due to poor habits, and while the system is certainly not the same from state to state, the central goal is the same:
To keep the drivers on the road from breaking the law and to punish those who make the road a more dangerous place for the rest of us.
In the first three installments of this post, we went over the points systems of Alabama through Georgia. In part four, we’ll be starting with Hawaii.
Hawaii
Remember how I said that each state has a points system? Until recently, Hawaii was no different, but they have gotten rid of that system instead of one which may be better suited for their courts.
Now, rather than a driver accumulating points on their license for each traffic violation, the courts decriminalized most traffic violations, making them civil offenses, rather than criminal offenses.
This means that if you are caught violating one of the uses of the road in Hawaii, you’ll be hit with a monetary fine without having to take a trip to court. It’s important to note, however, that more serious offenses, such as DUI will usually still require you to go to court.
Here’s an overview:
Even though there is no longer a points system in Hawaii, your driving record can still be damaged if you have too many civil traffic violations.
All traffic tickets issued still show up on your driving history, and some still result in immediate suspension, revocation, or cancellation of your HI driver’s license.
Contact HDOT’S Motor Vehicle Safety:
HDOT’S Motor Vehicle Safety
Address (Relocated to Waimalu):
98-339 Ponohana Place Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Click here for Updates on State Roads and Highways.
Website: https://hidot.hawaii.gov
Phone: +1 808-587-2160
Operation Hours:
Counter service hours: Mon to Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for State observed holidays.
Driver Education and Motorcycle Instructor Certification hours: Mon to Fri by appointment.
All other services hours: Mon to Fri, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except State observed holidays
Email: dotpao@hawaii.gov
Social Media: Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Idaho
Going back to the normal functions of things, Idaho has a points system for moving violations, and each violation has a set number of points which will be added to your driving record. For instance:
- Unsafe starting, stopping, or standing with a vehicle: 2 points
- Unsafe backing: 1 point
- Careless driving: 3 points
- Driving through a prohibited safety zone: 2 points
- Failure to yield to authorized emergency vehicles: 3 points
- Failure to drive on the right side of the road (exceptions): 3 points
- Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions: 2 points
- Following too closely/Tailgating: 3 points
- Speeding 1-15 mph over the limit: 3 points
- Speeding 16+ mph over the limit: 4 points
Click here for a complete list of violations and points value.
There are many more to consider, but there are some of the main violations for which you will accumulate points on your driving record.
In Idaho, an accumulation of 12 to 17 points within a year will result in the suspension of your license for 30 days, and an accumulation of 18 to 23 points in 2 years will suspend your license for 90 days. If you get 24 or more within 3 years, your license will be suspended for a total of 6 months, and along with these infractions, you must also pay the fines for these violations.
The Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles is in charge of making sure that your points are added correctly to your driving records.
More Information about Idaho’s Traffic Point System:
Idaho Transportation Department
Division of Motor Vehicles
Address: 3311 W. State Street, Boise, ID 83707-1129
Offices: Click here to check locations per county.
Website:
https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/
Idaho Online Services
Phone: (208) 334-8000
Click here for county-specific contact information.
Email: Click here for general information requests.
Social Media: Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here Driving Record requests
Illinois
The number of points for each moving violation in Illinois depends on the seriousness of the infraction itself, and if you accumulate too many points for traffic violations, your license will be suspended for a certain amount of time. This time is based on how many points you’ve accumulated.
The points you accumulate typically stay on your IL license for 4 to 5 years, and if your license gets suspended, the suspension stays on your record for a total of 7 years, from the date of reinstatement. If you are convicted of a DUI or other drug or alcohol-related offense, this infraction remains on your record permanently. Infractions include:
- Texting while driving;
- Running a red light;
- Reckless or dangerous driving;
- Speeding;
- Driving too close to another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist.
More Information about Illinois Traffic Point System:
Driver Services Department Illinois Secretary of State
Address: 2701 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62723, United States
Website: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/
Phone: +1 217-782-6212
Indiana
In the state of Indiana, there are several different consequences for accumulating too many points on your driving record, including:
- Suspension, revocation, or cancellation of your IN driver’s license;
- Fines and fees owed to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles or traffic court;
- Community service;
- Driver improvement or defensive driver course completion requirements;
- Higher insurance rates.
There are a few different violations in Indiana that will get you points on your license, and the number of points, of course, depends on how serious the infraction is. For instance, you can gain points on your driving record for the following:
- Speeding;
- Failure to use lights when required;
- Non-working brake or signal lights;
- Making an illegal U-turn or unsafe lane movement;
- Failure to stop or yield;
- Following too closely/Tailgating;
- Driving with a suspended driver’s license;
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle;
- Racing/Speed contest.
If you’ve been convicted of any of these, or any other traffic violation, you can either request a copy of your IN driving record, or contact the Indiana BMV for questions or point totals.
More Information about Indiana Traffic Point System:
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Offices: Click here to locate a BMV Office near you.
Website: https://www.in.gov/bmv
IN MyBMV – for driving record and points inquiries.
Note: IN myBMV.com and Connect kiosks are unavailable every Sunday from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for routine maintenance.
Phone:
Customer Contact Center: 888-692-6841
Operation Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Email: IN MyBMV
US Mail:
Indiana Government Center North
Room 402
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Social Media: Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Need some help or answers? Check out their FAQ page here.
Iowa
In Iowa, the points you accumulate inside the state aren’t the only ones that matter; they also count violations outside of the state against you as well, if you’re a resident of IA.
This system is put into place to penalize drivers who’ve committed serious offenses, and to remove dangerous drivers from the road to make it a safer place for the law abiding citizens to travel. 3 violations in 6 years gets you a Habitual Offender status, as will 6 moving violations in 2 years. The points are accumulated in the following way:
- Providing a false statement to the Department of Public Safety: 2 points;
- Driving with a suspended, revoked, or cancelled license: 2 points;
- Driving after your license has been revoked for a drug or alcohol related offense: 3 points;
- DUI: 4 points;
- Leaving the scene of an accident: 5 points;
- Vehicular manslaughter: 6 points.
More Information about Iowa Traffic Point System:
Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles
Address: 201 State St #100b, Boone, IA 50036, United States
Website: https://www.iowadot.gov/
Phone: +1 515-433-0512