Driver's license point system: a primer

Offense	Point Count
Speeding (1 to 25mph over speed limit)	2
Speeding (26 or more mph over speed limit)	5
Reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving operating a motor vehicle	6
Failure to yield right of way	5
Passing stopped school bus	5
Wrong side of the road/Illegal passing	4
Following to closely	3
Disregarding traffic control device (stop sign, traffic light, etc.)	3
All other moving violations	2
Inability to control vehicle	2
Improper lane	2
Drinking alcohol while operating a vehicle	2
Admin per se	6
Improper operation of motorcycle	2
Fail to obey construction/maintenance zone markers/flagman/police officer/restricted lane	3
Emergency vehicles	2
Fail to signal/use incorrect turn signal	2
Making improper turn	2
Coasting	2
Unsafe operation	2
Any conviction which resulted from a charge that involved the drinking of alcoholic beverages and the driving of a motor vehicle but did not require mandatory revocation of the driver license	6

Updated: Friday, 11 May 2012, 9:22 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 09 May 2012, 12:34 PM CDT

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - House Bill 2, the texting and driving bill signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on May 8 added a new citation that could add points to offenders' driving records, but what exactly is the points system?

According to the DMV's website, traffic offenses carry a point value from 2-6 points. The more points on a person's record, the more penalties they could face.

After two years, offenses lose their point value, but if a driver accumulates a certain number of points before that reset, they could have their license suspended.

Points	Suspension length
12-14 points	60 days
15-17 points	90 days
18-20 points	120 days
21-23 points	180 days
24 points	One year

Still, after an offense loses its point value, it remains on the drivers record. Of course, the number of violations on a driver's record affects their insurance rate.

The table to the left has the traffic violations that possess a point value and each of their values. The new bill, which goes into effect on August 1, will add a violation for texting or e-mailing while driving worth two points.

There's more information on the Alabama Department of Public Safety's website .

Driver's license point system: a primer

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