Wisconsin's 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.

For motorcyclists, successful completion of either the Basic Rider Course or the Advanced Rider Course can be used to reduce your driving record demerit points for motorcycle violations by up to 3 points. Courses are provided throughout Wisconsin and during the riding season by training sponsors in various locations. Contact Motorcycle Safety Program for more course information.

How long does a conviction stay on a record? 
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. As long as a conviction remains on a driving record, the points associated with that conviction remain available to determine if a person has accumulated 12 or more points in any 12-month period. The violation dates, not the conviction dates, determine point accumulation.

My citation says four points; your letter says I received eight points. Why?
The point value noted on the citation is an "estimated point value." The violation for which you are finally convicted, and the license type you hold at the time of conviction determine the points assessed against the driving record.

If you hold a probationary license, instruction permit, or no license when the conviction is entered on the record, points will be doubled for any second and subsequent convictions, except for convictions under Chapter 347 of the Wisconsin Statutes, which are primarily vehicle equipment violations.

Is a zero point total good or bad?
It helps to remember that these are demerit points. Therefore, you do not want to have points. All drivers with a clear record have zero points. As you accumulate convictions, you accumulate demerit points. If you accumulate 12 or more demerit points in any 12-month period, your driving privilege will be suspended.

Points are assessed for moving traffic convictions based on the violation offense date. When determining points, be sure to include any pending citations or convictions which do not yet appear on your record.

I have tickets pending. How will this affect my driving record?
The violation date (not conviction date) determines whether you have accumulated 12 or more points in any 12-month period. If you are convicted of any pending violations, the points will be counted based on the date of violation. If your conviction(s) result in the accumulation of 12 or more demerit points for violations within any 12-month period, a suspension will result. The suspension of your operating privilege will begin on the date the order of suspension is mailed from WisDOT's Division of Motor Vehicles.

How can I reopen a ticket? How would this help me?
Specific questions about if a case can be reopened should be addressed to the convicting court.

If a case is reopened and the final determination of the court results in an accumulation of less than 12 points in any 12-month period, there would be no suspension for demerit points. If a person is already suspended for demerit points, and the court's determination reduces the point accumulation to less than 12 points in any 12-month period; the suspension would be released.

Is there a way to reduce my points/my suspension?
If you have completed an approved traffic safety course​, you can request a three-point reduction of your demerit point total. 

Courses can be taken as often as you wish, however, you can receive only one point reduction every three years.

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.

How do out-of-state traffic convictions affect my Wisconsin driving record?
​No points are assessed for convictions from other states, however, the conviction is entered on the Wisconsin driver record. Wisconsin takes action on any out-of-state convictions for which Wisconsin statutes require a mandatory suspension or revocation of the operating privilege.

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.

Questions?
Envelope Email Wisconsin DMV email service