PART 1: DMV 

One of the most frequently asked questions in my office relates to how to figure out points associated with a traffic violation. It is quite easy to assess a specific violation‘s point value by comparing the code on the summons with charts available on this site or on many DMV sites. What is more complicated is when you were stopped multiple times and need to see if your cumulative points will make you into a “persistent violator” thereby subject to a suspension. 

In order to understand the basic formula, one must grasp two different points in time: The first is date of violation. The second is date of conviction. Many people mistakenly try to postpone their hearings believing that they are escaping the points. That is not entirely the case. To make things clearer I will give you some examples. 

Person A – John Smith: John receives a speeding ticket for 61/40 (a 6 point speed) on January 2, 2020. He is then stopped again on May 3, 2021 for passing a red light (a 3 point violation). These 2 tickets are forever stuck to each other. John received them less than 18 months apart. Regardless of when they go to trial. The judge can always see the other violation. If he goes to trial for the first summons in 2022 and the second in 2023 it is irrelevant. The points will be joined. 

Person B – Tony Green Tony receives a speeding ticket for 61/40 (6 point speed) on January 2, 2020. He is then stopped again on July 3, 2021 for a red light violation (3 points). These tickets are 18 months plus a day apart. Even if they eventually go to trial on the same day, the points are not linked. 

People often operate under the misconception that all they need to do is to delay the hearing and then they get “no points”. This is only accurate in a few instances. 

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