In Oklahoma, our state utilizes a Mandatory Point System to track traffic violations and encourage safe driving. If you receive too many points within a specific timeframe, you run the risk of an administrative license suspension or complete loss of your license. At Fabian & Young, our DUI defense lawyers help you understand the Oklahoma mandatory driver license point system and what steps you can take to protect your license.
How the Point System Works
Through Service Oklahoma, formerly known as the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the state assigns point values to traffic violations based on the severity of the offense. These points are officially applied to your record upon a guilty plea or when you pay the fine associated with the ticket. If you accumulate 10 or more points within 5 years, Service Oklahoma will automatically grant a driver’s license suspension.
Point Values for Common Traffic Violations
Point values are determined by the set severity of the infraction and can change at any time. Based on the 2022 DPS point system, general point values are currently:
- Reckless Driving: 4 points
- Speeding (26-40 mph over): 3 points
- Speeding (11-25 mph over): 2 points
- Speeding (1-10 mph over): 0 points
- At-Fault Accidents: 3 points
- Careless Driving: 2 points
- Tailgating: 2 points
- Failure to Yield, Obey Traffic Light, or Stop Sign: 2 points
- Failure to Signal: 1 point
Certain severe violations result in an immediate, mandatory license revocation upon conviction. These include passing a stopped school bus, failure to pay for gasoline, and failure to stop/yield resulting in severe bodily injury.
How to Reduce Points on Your Record
There are ways to remove points from your records so you do not continue to accumulate them during the five-year time period. Going 12 consecutive months without any point-bearing violations automatically subtracts 2 points. Remaining violation-free for 3 consecutive years clears your balance back to zero points.
You may also be able to complete a 6-hour Service Oklahoma-approved defensive driving course to deduct 2 points from your record. This credit can be applied once every 24 months. Unapproved, standard motor vehicle accident prevention courses for insurance generally do not count towards removal of points. If you have questions about removing points from your record, reaching out to a DUI defense attorney may be able to help get your questions answered. At Fabian & Young, we are here to support your legal rights to maintain your license.
How Points Are Applied to Your Record
Simply getting a ticket does not mean that points are automatically on your record. These points are only applied after you enter a guilty plea or settle the fine with the court. This allows you the opportunity to negotiate a reduced charge directly with the court, thus lowering the number of points that will be applied to your record.
Service Oklahoma’s goal is to reduce the number of traffic violations that lead to accidents and severe injuries. If you work with the court system, you may be able to get your charges and points reduced if you complete an approved driving safety course. While this adds an additional charge for the certified course, it is generally recommended to avoid accumulating points to avoid fighting expensive license suspensions and insurance increases down the line.
Getting Your License Back After a Suspension
Restoring your license after a suspension generally requires you to serve the full suspension period, pay a statutory reinstatement fee, and potentially meet with a driving compliance hearing officer. Avoid a license suspension by understanding the Oklahoma Mandatory Driver License Point System and how to reduce your points.