Delaney Simchuk, Car Insurance Writer
@delaney_simchuk
You can remove points from your driving record by completing traffic school or a defensive driving course, if your state allows it. Removing points by taking a defensive driving course may keep you from a license suspension, reduce penalties for a moving violation, and lower your insurance rates.
If your state does not allow point removal with driving classes or your violation is not eligible, you can wait for your points to expire. Most points stop counting against you after 2-5 years. However, if your points were from a serious violation such as a DUI, they may stay on your record for much longer and you may not be able to remove them.
How to Remove Points From Your Driving Record
1. Determine If You Are Eligible
Eligibility for point reduction depends on whether your state allows defensive driving courses to remove points. Even if your state allows this option, your violation may not be eligible if it was a felony, substance-related or not in a private vehicle. In addition, you won’t be eligible if you’ve benefited from traffic school in the past 1-2 years, depending on your state. For instance, in New York, you may remove points by taking a defensive driving course every 18 months.
2. Take a Defensive Driving Course
Most state DMVs offer online or in-person traffic school to remove points from your license. Classes typically take 4-12 hours, and you are required to attend the full session in order to pass.
3. Wait for Points to Expire
If your state does not have a point-reduction system, or your violation was not eligible, you can wait for the points to expire. Points for minor violations can stay on your driving record for anywhere from 1 year to indefinitely, depending on your state’s laws. However, most points stop affecting you after 2-5 years, depending on the severity of your violation.
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to driver’s license points.
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