If you are convicted of a moving-traffic violation, you will receive demerit points on your driving record.
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The more demerit points you have, the more severe the penalties will be (see list below).
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Persons with a Probationary driver license are assessed double demerit points for their second and subsequent convictions.
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Courts report all moving-traffic convictions to the DMV.
Suspension of driving privilege
When you accumulate 12 or more demerit points within a 12-month period, your driving privilege will be suspended. The type of driver license you have determines the requirements and timeframe of a suspension:
If you have a probationary driver license, instruction permit or have never been issued a license:
- 12-30 points assessed – 6 month suspension
- More than 30 points assessed – 1 year suspension
If you have a regular driver license including a commercial driver license (CDL):
- 12-16 points assessed – 2 month suspension
- 17-22 points assessed – 4 month suspension
- 23-30 points assessed – 6 month suspension
- More than 30 points assessed – 1 year suspension
Occupational driver license
Under some circumstances you may be eligible for an Occupational driver license.
Point reduction
- You may reduce your point total by three points for attending an approved
traffic safety course.
- Only one reduction is allowed in a three-year period
Points assessed for convictions
You can obtain a complete listing of moving-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.
List of frequently assessed point violations
| 6 | Attempting to elude an officer |
| 6 | Failure to perform duty after accident |
| 3 | Operating while revoked or suspended |
| 6 | Operating under the influence of intoxicant or drugs |
| 6 | Reckless driving or racing |
| 6 | Speeding 20 mph or more over limit |
| 6 | Violation of occupational license |
| 4 | Deviating from traffic lane |
| 4 | Driving on wrong side of highway or street |
| 4 | Failure to yield right of way |
| 4 | Failure to yield to emergency vehicle |
| 4 | Imprudent driving, too fast for conditions, failure to have vehicle under control |
| 4 | Inattentive driving |
| 4 | Failure by operator to stop for school bus when red lights are flashing |
| 4 | Speeding 11 through 19 mph over limit |
| 4 | Unnecessary acceleration |
| 3 | Arterial or traffic control violation |
| 3 | Driving wrong way on one way street |
| 3 | Failure to dim lights |
| 3 | Failure to give proper signal |
| 3 | Following too closely |
| 3 | Illegal passing |
| 3 | Improper brakes or lights |
| 3 | Operating with expired license or without any license |
| 3 | Operating with multiple licenses |
| 3 | Prohibited or illegal turn |
| 3 | Speeding 1 through 10 mph over limit |
| 3 | Violation of restriction |
| 2 | Obstructing traffic |
| 2 | Parking on highway in traffic lane, defective speedometer |
| 0 | License not in person's immediate possession |
| 0 | No registration plate light |
| 6 | Operating while disqualified |
| 6 | Operating with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.08 causing injury |
| 6 | Commercial speeding in excess (20 or more mph over limit) |
| 4 | Commercial speeding intermediate (15 through 19 mph over limit) |
| 3 | Possession of intoxicating beverage while operating or being on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle |
| 3 | Unlawful commercial motor vehicle license or endorsement |
| 0 | Operating a commercial motor vehicle or being on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle while having any measured alcohol concentration above 0.0 but less than 0.04 or within 4 hours of having consumed or having been under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, regardless of alcohol content |
| 0 | Operating with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.08 and not causing injury |
| 3 | Headlights not lit (daylight hours 0 points) |
| 3 | No cycle license |
| 2 | Defective or repaired handlebars |
| 2 | More than 2 riders (operator) |
| 2 | No eye protection (operator) |
| 0 | No protective headgear |