Trámites
Texas Driving Record Points
03/07/2026
If you live in Texas and recently received a traffic ticket, you may be asking yourself: How many driving record points do I have? Could my driver’s license be suspended? And most importantly, how will driving record points affect my Texas car insurance rates?
Learn what a Texas driving record is, how the driving record points system works, which traffic violations add points to your record, how to check your driving record, and how it can affect your Texas car insurance.
What Is a driving record points in Texas?
Your driving record is your official driving history and includes:
- Traffic tickets and moving violations.
- Reported accidents.
- License suspensions or restrictions.
- Your current driver’s license status.
In Texas, your driving record is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Insurance companies review this record before providing a car insurance quote or renewing your policy.
Does Texas still have a points system?
Texas operated the Driver Responsibility Program for several years, but it was repealed in 2019. However, that doesn’t mean traffic violations no longer affect your driving record.
Today, Texas no longer uses a public driver’s license point system like it once did. Even so, traffic violations continue to appear on your driving record, and insurance companies use their own internal risk scoring systems to evaluate drivers.
In other words, while the state no longer assigns official driving record points, your car insurance company still considers your driving history when determining your level of risk and calculating your insurance premium.
How did the Texas Point System Work before 2019?
Before 2019, Texas used an official point system known as the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP), which was in effect from September 1, 2003. Here’s how the system worked:
- Each moving traffic violation that did not involve an accident added 2 points to your driving record.
- Each moving violation that resulted in an accident added 3 points to your driving record.
- If you accumulated 6 or more points, you were required to pay an annual driver responsibility surcharge as long as those points remained on your record.
- Points stayed on your driving record for three years from the date of the conviction.
On September 1, 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature officially repealed the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP). Drivers with outstanding surcharges under the program were still required to pay their existing balances, but driver’s license suspensions related to the DRP were lifted, and no new surcharges were assessed.
Since then, Texas has no longer assigned official driving record points to driver’s licenses. However, traffic violations still appear on your driving record and can continue to affect your car insurance rates and your insurer’s assessment of your driving risk.
Can your license be suspended in Texas?
Yes. Although the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) no longer exists, your Texas driver’s license can still be suspended if you repeatedly violate traffic laws. You may face a license suspension if you accumulate:
- 4 or more traffic violations within a 12-month period.
- 7 or more traffic violations within a 24-month period.
In addition, your Texas driver’s license may also be suspended for:
- Driving under the influence (DUI or DWI).
- Driving without auto insurance.
- Failing to appear in court.
- Failing to pay outstanding traffic fines.
If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), the rules are even stricter. Accumulating two serious traffic violations within three years can result in a 60-day CDL suspension, while three serious violations within three years can lead to a 120-day suspension.
A license suspension becomes part of your driving record and can significantly increase your Texas car insurance premiums.
How many points do traffic violations add?
Although Texas no longer assigns official driving record points, the best car insurance companies in Texas still use their own internal risk-rating systems to determine your insurance premium.
| Traffic Violation | Estimated Impact on Car Insurance Rates |
| Minor speeding ticket | Low to Moderate |
| Speeding 20+ mph over the limit | High |
| Running a red light | Moderate |
| Driving without insurance | High |
| DUI en Estados Unidos (Driving Under the Influence) | Very High |
| At-fault accident | High |
The percentage increases shown above are general estimates based on insurance industry data. Your actual premium increase may vary depending on the insurance company, your previous driving record, the severity of the violation, and other underwriting factors.
For example, a DUI conviction in Texas can increase your car insurance premium by 80% or more, depending on the insurance company, your driving history, and other rating factors.
How to check your driving record points in Texas?
You can request your Texas driving record directly from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) through an online request, by mail, or at an authorized service location.
Available driving record types include:
- Type 3A Record – The most comprehensive driving record, commonly used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other official purposes.
- Basic Driver Record – Includes general information about your driver’s license and driving history.
The cost typically ranges from $4 to $20, depending on the type of driving record you request.
How long do violations stay on your record?
How long a violation remains on your driving record depends on the type of offense:
- Minor traffic violations: Typically 3 to 5 years.
- At-fault accidents: Up to 5 years.
- DUI convictions: Can remain on your record much longer and may affect your car insurance rates for 7 to 10 years.
Most insurance companies review your driving history from the past 3 to 5 years when calculating your Texas car insurance premium.
How driving record points affect your Car Insurance in Texas
Insurance companies in Texas calculate risk based on several key factors, including:
- Your traffic violation history.
- Frequency of accidents.
- Severity of each incident.
- Time elapsed since your last violation.
Typical impact on car insurance premiums:
- One minor ticket: 10% to 20% increase.
- Two violations within 3 years: 25% to 40% increase.
- DUI or serious accident: 50% to 100% increase.
Each insurance company uses its own internal risk scoring system, so the exact increase can vary depending on the insurer and your overall driving profile.
Can your license be suspended in Texas?
Yes. Although the previous program no longer exists, your driver’s license can still be suspended for:
- Accumulating multiple serious traffic violations.
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence).
- Driving without insurance.
- Failing to appear in court.
- Unpaid traffic fines.
A license suspension will appear on your driving record and can significantly increase your car insurance costs.
How to improve or clean your driving record
Although you cannot remove valid traffic violations, there are some actions you can take:
- Take a defensive driving course: In some cases, this may allow you to dismiss a ticket and prevent it from affecting your driving record.
- Contest the ticket: If you believe the violation was issued unfairly, you may challenge it in court.
- Maintain a clean driving record: Over time, the impact of violations decreases as they age and no new infractions are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas still use a point system?
There is no official public scoring system, but insurance companies use their own internal risk assessment systems to evaluate drivers.
How many points suspend your license in Texas?
Currently, there is no fixed public point system in Texas. However, multiple serious traffic violations can still lead to a driver’s license suspension.
Does Texas still use a point system?
No, Texas eliminated its official point system (the Driver Responsibility Program) in September 2019. Before that, traffic violations added 2 or 3 points depending on whether they resulted in an accident, and accumulating 6 or more points triggered an annual surcharge.
Today, instead of a point system, Texas tracks the number of traffic violations over 12- and 24-month periods to determine whether your driver’s license may be suspended.
Do you have violations on your driving record?
Having traffic tickets or accidents doesn’t mean you have to overpay forever. With our Texas car insurance comparison tool, you can get a quote in minutes. We compare multiple insurance companies to help you find coverage options even if you have a complicated driving history.
En Experto Insurance cotiza hoy tu seguro de auto en Texas y descubre cuánto puedes ahorrar, incluso con puntos en tu driving record.
Karina Estrada Bernal
También podría interesarte
Trámites
Labor Day 2025: qué es y cuándo se celebra
April Escamilla
3 minutos
Trámites
Vehicle Registration Renewal en Arizona
Karina Estrada Bernal
3 minutos
Trámites
¿Cómo sacar tu licencia de conducir en Texas?
Karina Estrada Bernal
8 minutos
Trámites
Texas License Plate Sticker Renewal Made Simple
Karina Estrada Bernal
3 minutos
Trámites
Guía para Renovar licencia de conducir en Texas
April Escamilla
6 minutos
Trámites
¿Qué es la matrícula consular en Texas?
Karina Estrada Bernal
3 minutos
Conócenos
> Nosotros
> Siniestros
Seguros
> Seguro de Auto
> Seguro de Hogar
Ubicación
2002 Timberloch Pl. Suite#200,
The Woodlands, TX, 77380
Contáctanos
