How to Lose Your License

License suspensions and revocations

Driving is a privilege and can be suspended or revoked by the DMV. Driver’s licenses are not automatically reinstated following suspension or revocation. You must:

• Reapply at a DMV office
• Present the documents required for proof of name, date of birth and social security number
• Meet any other reinstatement requirements and pay required reinstatement fees

How to lose your driving privileges

• Point suspension – When you accumulate 12 or more demerit points in any 12 month period
• Failure to appear – If you receive a traffic ticket and do not pay the fine on time or do not appear as required
• Child support – If you are in arrears in court-ordered child support payments
• Graffiti – If you are found guilty of a graffiti violation
• Collision with a bicyclist or pedestrian – If you cause a collision with a person riding a bicycle or a pedestrian
• Street racing – If you are found guilty of participating in, or organizing, an unauthorized speed contest
• Driving under the influence – If breath, blood or urine tests reveal you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if you are convicted of DUI
• Failure to maintain insurance
• Truancy – Minors can lose their license or have its issuance delayed for habitual absence from school
• Alcohol and Drugs – If a minor is found guilty of buying, drinking, or possessing alcohol; or using, possessing, selling or distributing any controlled substance

Demerit points

The following is a partial list of traffic violations, showing the demerit points that are assigned to your driving record

• Reckless driving                                                                   8 points
• Careless driving                                                                   6 points
• Failure to give information or render aid                             6 points
• Following too closely                                                           4 points
• Failure to yield right-of-way                                                 4 points
• Failure to yield to a pedestrian                                           4 points
• Disobeying traffic signal or stop sign                                  4 points
• Impeding traffic, driving too slowly                                      2 points
•   Failure to dim headlights                                                   2 points

Speeding

• 1-10 mph over posted speed limit                                       1 points
• 11-20 mph over posted speed limit                                      2 points
• 21-30 mph over the posted speed limit                               3 points
• 31-40 mph over the posted speed limit                               4 points
• 41 mph or more over the speed limit                                  5 points
•  Prima Facie driving too fast for the conditions                   2 points

You may go to Traffic School to remove up to 3 points from your record.

Author. Rich Heinrich,

Master Instructor, Emeritus