Points And Suspension
Veh. Code 12810.5 — four or more in 12 months, six in 24, or eight in 36, and the presumption of a negligent operator
Points are separate from the fine. A license is lost to points by accumulation over a period, rather than by any one ticket.
| The conviction or event | The point value |
|---|---|
| The conviction or eventHit and run, impaired driving, reckless driving, and the other offenses the section lists | The point valuetwo points |
| The conviction or eventAny other traffic conviction involving safe operation | The point valueone point |
| The conviction or eventAn accident the department deems the driver responsible for | The point valueone point |
The negligent operator. A driver whose record shows four or more points in 12 months, six or more in 24 months, or eight or more in 36 months is presumed to be a negligent operator. At a hearing the driver requests, the department considers how much the driver drives.
One violation per occasion. Only one conviction arising from one arrest or citation counts toward the point count.
Insurance surcharges, commercial license rules, suspensions for a single serious offense such as impaired driving, and reinstatement fees are set elsewhere and are not on this page. Counting the points on a particular record is a question for the state's licensing agency or a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Veh. Code 12810.5 — Negligent operator; point count presumption
- Veh. Code 12810 — Violation point count
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.