The Idaho Point System Explained: How to Keep Your Driving Record Clean

When you get your Idaho driver's license, you also receive a clean driving record. Keeping it that way is one of your most important responsibilities. To encourage safe driving and identify drivers who may pose a risk, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) uses a demerit point system.

Understanding this system from the moment you get your license is crucial. Every 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 improvement courses and the suspension of your license.

How the Idaho Point System Works

The concept is straightforward: the state assigns a point value to different moving violations. The more serious the offense, the more points you receive. When you pay a ticket or are found guilty in court, that conviction is reported to the ITD, and the corresponding points are added to your driving record. Points remain on your record for three years (36 months) from the date of the conviction.

The ITD will take action based on the number of points you accumulate within a specific timeframe.

Point Values for Common Idaho 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 Idaho:

• 1 Point Violations:

  • Driving without a valid permit
  • Over-driving headlights

• 2 Point Violations:

  • Failure to obey a stop sign
  • Failure to stop for a school bus

• 3 Point Violations:

  • Speeding (1-15 mph over the limit)
  • Following too closely
  • Failure to yield right-of-way
  • Most other basic moving violations

• 4 Point Violations:

  • Speeding (16 mph or more over the limit)
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle

• Major Offenses: Some violations, like Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Leaving the scene of an accident, result in an immediate and mandatory license suspension that operates outside the standard point system.

The Consequences of Accumulating Points

The ITD takes progressive action as you accumulate points.

• At 8 Points in 12 months: The ITD will mail you a Warning Letter. This is your first official notice that you are accumulating points and are at risk of further action if your driving habits do not improve.

• At 12 Points in 12 months: This is the first critical threshold. Once you accumulate 12 points in a 12-month period, your driver's license will be suspended for 30 days.

• At 18 Points in 24 months: Your license will be suspended for 90 days.

• At 24 Points in 36 months: Your license will be suspended for 6 months.

Reinstating your license after a suspension involves paying significant fees and fulfilling all ITD requirements.

A Powerful Tool: The Defensive Driving Course Point Reduction

Idaho offers a proactive way for drivers to manage their point total. You can voluntarily complete a state-approved Defensive Driving Course (DDC).

• The Benefit: Upon successful completion of the course, you can request a 3-point reduction from your driving record.
• How it Works: After completing the course, you will receive a certificate. You must submit this to the ITD to have the points removed. This does not remove the conviction from your record, but it lowers your calculated point total, which can help you avoid a suspension.
• Limitations: You can only receive this 3-point reduction once every 3 years.

Taking a defensive driving course is a smart investment, especially if you have received a ticket. It can help protect your driving privilege and may also qualify you for an insurance discount.

How to Keep Your Record Clean

1. Drive Safely: The most effective method is to avoid getting tickets in the first place by obeying all traffic laws.
2. Understand GDL Laws: For teens, violating your driving restrictions is a moving violation that will add points to your record.
3. Consider Point Reduction: If you have accumulated some points, consider taking a defensive driving course to lower your total before you reach a suspension threshold.

Your driving record is a direct reflection of your choices behind the wheel. By understanding the Idaho point system, you can make informed decisions that will keep your record clean and keep you safe on the road.