The Connecticut Point System: How to Avoid a Driver's License Suspension

When you get your Connecticut driver's license, you also receive a clean driving record. One of your most important responsibilities is to keep it that way. To monitor driving behavior and identify high-risk drivers, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses a demerit point system.

Understanding how this system works from day one is crucial for every driver. Each time you are convicted of a moving violation, points are added to your record. If you accumulate too many points, you will face serious consequences, including mandatory driver retraining and the suspension of your license.

How the Connecticut Point System Works

The concept is straightforward: the state assigns a specific point value to different moving traffic violations. The more serious the offense, the more points you receive. When you pay a ticket or are found guilty in court, the DMV adds those points to your driving record. These points remain on your record for 24 months (2 years) from the date of the conviction.

Point Values for Common Connecticut Traffic Violations

It's essential to know which actions carry the most weight. Here are the point values for some of the most common violations in Connecticut:

• 1 Point Violations:

  • Speeding (less than 30 mph over the limit)
  • Failure to obey a traffic signal or stop sign
  • Failure to yield right-of-way
  • Improper turn or lane change
  • Following too closely

• 2 Point Violations:

  • Driving with a suspended license
  • Failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk

• 3 Point Violations:

  • Disobeying the signal of an officer
  • Driving the wrong way on a one-way street

• 4 Point Violations:

  • Passing a stopped school bus
  • Speeding (30 mph or more over the limit)

• 5 Point Violations:

  • Reckless driving (first offense)

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) / Driving While Impaired (DWI): While these carry heavy points, they also result in immediate and severe administrative and criminal penalties, including mandatory license suspension, that operate outside the standard point system.

The Consequences of Accumulating Points (For Adult Drivers 18+)

The DMV takes progressive action as you accumulate points.

• At 6 Points: The DMV will mail you an official Warning Letter. This is your first formal notice that your driving habits are putting your license at risk and that you need to drive more carefully.

• At 10 Points: This is the critical threshold. Once you accumulate 10 points on your record, the DMV will mail you a notice that your license is scheduled for suspension.

The License Suspension Process

• Notice and Hearing: The letter you receive will state the effective date of your suspension. You have the right to request a hearing to contest the suspension.
• Suspension Duration: A first-time suspension for accumulating 10 points is typically for 30 days.
• Driver Retraining Program: Before your license can be reinstated, you will be required to complete a state-approved Driver Retraining Program. This is a mandatory class designed to correct poor driving habits. Failure to complete the course will result in your license remaining suspended.

Stricter Rules for Teen Drivers (Ages 16 and 17)

The consequences for new, young drivers are much harsher and happen much faster. Connecticut has a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe driving by teens.

• First Offense: For a 16 or 17-year-old's first conviction of a moving violation (like speeding, running a red light, or a GDL violation), the penalty is a 48-hour license suspension and a fine.
• Second Offense: A second conviction results in a license suspension of at least 30 days.
• Third Offense: A third conviction results in a license suspension of at least 6 months.

This means a single ticket for a teen driver can result in their license being taken away.

How to Keep Your Record Clean

1. Drive Safely: The best strategy is prevention. Obey all traffic laws, drive defensively, and avoid distractions.
2. Understand GDL Laws: For teens, violating passenger or curfew rules is a moving violation that can trigger a suspension.
3. Know Your Status: You can check the status of your driver's license online through the DMV portal to see if you have any outstanding issues.

Your driving record directly impacts your insurance rates and your ability to legally drive. By understanding the Connecticut point system, you can make smart choices that protect your license and keep you safe on the road.