Understanding the Texas DPS Point System
Texas uses a point system to track moving violations on your driving record. The system is designed to identify high-risk drivers and impose financial penalties (surcharges) on those who accumulate too many points. But points also have practical consequences for insurance rates, employment, and your ability to use defensive driving for ticket dismissal.
Before learning how to remove points, you must understand how they work:
- Most moving violations (speeding, running a stop sign, red light, seat belt, etc.) add 2 points to your record.
- Moving violations that result in a crash add 3 points.
- Non-moving violations (parking, equipment, registration) add 0 points.
- Dismissed tickets (defensive driving, deferred disposition, not guilty) add 0 points.
Points remain on your record for 3 years from the date of conviction. After 3 years, they automatically drop off—no action required on your part.
Why Removing Points Matters: The 6-Point Surcharge Trigger
The primary reason Texas drivers care about points is the DPS surcharge that activates at the 6-point threshold.
How the Surcharge Works
If you accumulate 6 or more points within a 3-year period, DPS assesses an annual surcharge:
- $100 per year for the first 6 points
- $25 per year for each additional point beyond 6
This surcharge is in addition to any court fines you already paid. It is a separate bill from DPS that must be paid annually until your point count drops below 6.
Example Surcharge Calculation
| Points in 3 Years | Annual Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 4 points | $0 |
| 6 points | $100 |
| 8 points | $150 ($100 + 2×$25) |
| 10 points | $200 ($100 + 4×$25) |
The surcharge continues every year until your point count drops below 6. If you have 8 points for three consecutive years, you would pay $150 each year — a total of $450 over that period.
Method 1: Automatic Point Removal (The 3-Year Rule)
The simplest way points disappear is through the passage of time. Texas law mandates that points remain on your record for exactly 3 years from the conviction date.
How It Works
If you received a speeding ticket on June 15, 2023, the 2 points from that conviction will automatically drop off your record on June 15, 2026. You do not need to do anything—DPS automatically updates your record.
What You Should Do
Even though removal is automatic, it's wise to:
- Check your driving record after 3 years to confirm the points were removed (order a Type 2 or Type 3A record from DPS for $8.50).
- Verify your insurance company has updated your record (some insurers pull records annually; others may need prompting).
Method 2: Voluntary Point Reduction with Defensive Driving
Texas allows drivers to take a state-approved defensive driving course (driving safety course) to remove up to 2 points from their record. This is a voluntary benefit—you do not need to have a pending ticket to use it.
Key Rules and Limitations
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once every 12 months (365 days from last completion) |
| Points removed | Up to 2 points per course completion |
| Course type | Must be TEA-approved driving safety course |
| Cost | $25–$50 (plus optional expedited certificate fees) |
| Eligibility | Must have a valid Texas driver's license; CDL holders ineligible |
Step-by-Step Process
- Choose a TEA-approved course (online or in-person). See our Texas Online Defensive Driving Course Guide for provider comparisons.
- Complete the 6-hour course (state-mandated minimum). You can log in/out as needed.
- Pass the final exam (typically 70%–80% passing score).
- Course provider electronically submits your completion to DPS. This is automatic for most providers—do not skip this step.
- Keep your certificate as proof (some providers offer instant download).
- Wait 5–10 business days for DPS to update your record.
- Verify removal by ordering an updated driving record.
Important Distinction: Point Removal vs. Ticket Dismissal
Do not confuse voluntary point reduction with using defensive driving to dismiss a ticket. They are separate processes:
- Ticket dismissal: You get court permission BEFORE taking the course. The ticket is dismissed, no conviction appears, and no points are added in the first place.
- Voluntary point removal: You take the course AFTER convictions are already on your record. The convictions remain visible, but your point total decreases by up to 2.
If you have a pending ticket, always pursue ticket dismissal first—it's better for your record than adding a conviction and then trying to remove points later.
What Does NOT Remove Points?
Many Texas drivers mistakenly believe certain actions will reduce their point count. They do not:❌ Paying DPS Surcharges
Surcharges are financial penalties. Paying them satisfies the debt but does not affect your point total. Points remain until they age off or you complete a voluntary course.
❌ Filing SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required after certain suspensions (DWI, no insurance, etc.). It proves you have insurance; it does not interact with your point count.
❌ Completing Court-Ordered Programs
DWI education, traffic safety courses ordered by a judge—these satisfy court requirements but do not automatically remove points unless the course is specifically a TEA-approved defensive driving course and you follow the voluntary reduction process.
❌ Just Waiting (Without 3 Years)
Points do not "expire" after 2 years or any period less than 3 years from the conviction date. The 3-year clock starts on the conviction date, not the ticket date or court date.
How to Check Your Current Point Total
You cannot see your point total on your regular driver's license. You must order your official driving record from DPS.
Order Your Driving Record
Visit the DPS Driver Record website and order:
- Type 2 Record: Shows 3-year history with points. Cost: $8.50.
- Type 3A Record: Full lifetime abstract. Cost: $8.50.
You will receive a PDF immediately after payment. Look for the "Points" section, which lists your current total and the individual violations contributing to it.
Alternative: DPS Eligibility Check
Some drivers can check their eligibility status through DPS online systems, which may indicate if you have 6+ points (surcharge status). However, for exact point breakdown, the driving record is necessary.
Strategic Point Management: When to Use Your Voluntary Course
Because you can only use the voluntary defensive driving course once every 12 months, timing matters.
Scenario 1: Approaching the 6-Point Threshold
You currently have 5 points and just received a speeding ticket (2 points). If you pay the ticket, you'll jump to 7 points and trigger a surcharge.
Strategy: First, use defensive driving to dismiss the new ticket (if eligible). If the ticket cannot be dismissed, take the voluntary course before the new conviction posts to DPS to remove 2 points, keeping you at 5 points after the new conviction.
Scenario 2: Already at 6+ Points
You have 8 points and are paying a $150 annual surcharge. You cannot remove more than 2 points per year.
Strategy: Take a defensive driving course now to remove 2 points (down to 6). Next year, take another course to remove 2 more (down to 4). This gradually reduces your surcharge burden while you wait for older points to age off.
Scenario 3: CDL Holder
CDL holders cannot use defensive driving for point removal or ticket dismissal. They must rely solely on the 3-year automatic removal. CDL drivers should be especially vigilant about avoiding violations because points accumulate without this safety valve.
Points vs. Convictions: What Employers and Insurers See
Understanding the difference between points and convictions is crucial:
- Points are an internal DPS scoring mechanism. They do not appear on your driving record as separate items—they are derived from your convictions.
- Convictions are the actual traffic offenses (speeding, DWI, etc.) that appear on your record for 3 years (or permanently for serious offenses).
When an employer or insurance company requests your driving record, they see the convictions, not the point total. However, they may calculate your point total themselves from the listed violations. Removing points does not erase the conviction—the speeding ticket will still show on your record for 3 years. But a lower point total can help you avoid DPS surcharges and may positively influence insurer risk models.
Common Questions About Point Removal
Q: Can I take defensive driving online to remove points?
A: Yes. Any TEA-approved online defensive driving course qualifies for voluntary point reduction. Ensure the provider is on the TEA/TDLR approved list.
Q: Will removing points lower my insurance?
A: Indirectly, yes. Insurance companies do not directly see your DPS point total—they see your convictions. But a lower point total means you are less likely to have recent convictions, which can favorably influence underwriting. More directly, avoiding the 6-point surcharge saves you $100+ per year.
Q: How long does it take for points to be removed after I complete the course?
A: The course provider should submit your completion to DPS within 7–10 business days. After that, DPS updates your record. Allow 2–3 weeks total before ordering a new driving record to verify removal.
Q: Can I remove points from a DWI conviction?
A: No. While a DWI adds 2 points (or 3 if crash), you cannot use voluntary defensive driving to remove points from a DWI conviction. DWI convictions are excluded from point reduction eligibility. Points from a DWI will only drop off after 3 years.
Q: What if I have points from multiple states?
A: Texas participates in the Driver License Compact (DLC). Out-of-state convictions are reported to Texas DPS and may add points to your Texas record if the violation maps to a Texas moving violation. Point removal rules (3-year drop-off, voluntary course) apply only to Texas-pointed violations. Check your Texas record to see if out-of-state violations were added.
Related Texas Traffic Guides
- Texas DPS Driving Record Guide 2026: Points, Insurance & License Status
- Texas Online Defensive Driving Course Guide 2026: TEA-Approved Courses
- Texas Speeding Ticket Fines 2026: Total Costs & Dismissal Guide
- What Happens If You Don't Pay a Traffic Ticket in Texas 2026
- Texas Car Insurance Minimum Requirements 2026: 30/60/25 Rules
- Texas Reckless Driving Fines 2026: §545.401 Penalties