Wisconsin’s Driver License Point System
When you are convicted of certain traffic violations, you receive demerit points that are applied to your driving record. Individuals with a clear driving record have 0 points. When you accumulate 12 or more demerit points within a 12-month period, your driving privilege is suspended.
eNotify subscribers who have accumulated between 6-11 demerit points within a 12-month period will receive a warning notification via email or text from the DMV. Sign up for
eNotify. Notification of point suspensions will be sent by USPS mail.
Courts report all traffic convictions to the DMV. The violation for which you were convicted and the license type you hold at the time of conviction determines the number of points assessed on your driving record. If you hold a probationary driver license, instruction permit, or have no license, you are assessed double demerit points on the second and subsequent convictions. The more demerit points you have accumulated, the more severe the penalties. The violation date (not the conviction date) determines whether you have accumulated 12 or more points in any 12-month period.
If you have a probationary driver license, instruction permit, or have never been issued a license:
- 12-30 points results in a 6-month suspension
- More than 30 points results in a 1-year suspension
If you have a regular driver license or commercial driver license (CDL):
- 12-16 points results in a 2-month suspension
- 17-22 points results in a 4-month suspension
- 23-30 points results in a 6-month suspension
- More than 30 points results in a 1-year suspension
You may reduce your point total by three points for attending an approved
traffic safety course. If you are already suspended for accumulating too many points, and if your point total is 12, 13 or 14 points, your suspension may be released after taking the course. Only one reduction is allowed in a three-year period.
Most convictions on a driving record are eligible to be removed five years after the conviction date. Alcohol related convictions stay on the record indefinitely.
For more information
You can obtain a complete listing of traffic violations and the points assessed by downloading either of the following two publications:
- Driver Licensing Abbreviation Codes with Charge and Points
BDS108
- Driver Licensing Conviction Charge Codes and Points with Statute Numbers&
BDS109
Chapter Trans 101, Wisconsin Administrative Code provides complete details on the Wisconsin Point System
If you are suspended only for points, you may be eligible for an occupational driver license. Check your eligibility for an
occupational driver license.
Check your
driver license status to determine whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or disqualified (CDL). This online application may require you to enter your name, date of birth, your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number (full Social Security Number if you don’t know your Wisconsin driver license number).
You may also purchase a copy of your certified/non-certified
driving record.