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

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Instructor and Office Administrator

Frankie works and karaoke's in Las Vegas but his out-of-doors-heart is still out East. Born in Boston, Frankie loves the snow and mountains. As an avid snowboarder, Frankie has never seen a snow day he didn't LOVE! A graduate from…Read More