How traffic convictions can lead to license suspension under Indiana’s demerit point system.
For an Indiana traffic violation conviction, the court will assess fines and fees and report the conviction to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The BMV keeps track of these convictions in order to identify persons "in need of improving his or her driving habits." Drivers with too many points face license suspension.
How Points Are Acquired and Reduced
The BMV will assess a certain number of points depending on the severity of the traffic offense.
Point Values for Indiana Traffic Tickets
Here are the points assigned to some of the most common traffic offenses.
|
Violation |
Points Assessed |
|
Brake equipment violation |
4 |
|
Bumper violation |
2 |
|
Headlight or blinker violation |
2 |
|
No motorcycle helmet or goggles (under 18 years old) |
4 |
|
4 |
|
|
Stop or yield sign violation |
4 |
|
6 |
|
|
Failure to slow for stopped emergency vehicle |
8 |
|
Improper passing |
4 |
|
Improper passing in worksite |
8 |
|
6 |
|
|
Railroad crossing violation |
6 |
|
2 |
|
|
Speeding 16 to 25 miles per hour over limit |
4 |
|
Speeding over 25 miles per hour over limit |
6 |
|
Driving too fast for conditions (not posted) |
2 |
|
Minimum speed violation |
2 |
|
Speeding on bridge |
4 |
|
8 |
|
|
Disobey officer order |
6 |
|
Improper U-turn |
4 |
|
Failure to properly signal |
2 |
|
Violation of due care for pedestrian |
2 |
|
Driving in pedestrian safety zone |
4 |
|
Disregard worksite traffic control |
6 |
|
Failure to dim lights |
2 |
|
6 |
|
|
Reckless driving resulting in property damage |
8 |
|
Reckless damage resulting in injury |
10 |
|
Reckless driving in work zone |
8 |
|
4 |
|
|
Motorcycle passenger violation |
4 |
|
Improper passing of school bus |
8 |
|
4 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
Probationary or restricted license violation |
4 |
|
License violation resulting in injury or death |
10 |
|
Driving while suspended |
8 |
|
Driving while suspended resulting in injury or death |
10 |
|
2 |
|
|
8 (10 if injury or death) |
|
|
Driving with suspended registration |
8 |
|
8 |
|
|
Operating under the influence resulting in injury or death |
10 |
|
Criminal mischief with vehicle |
8 |
|
6 |
Reducing Your Points
Point expiration. Assigned points expire two years after the conviction date. The conviction will remain on the driver's record, but the points will no longer be counted.
Point credits. A driver can reduce his or her point total by four points for completing a BMV-approved driver safety program. This reduction is available only once every three years.
Consequences of Accumulating Too Many Points
A driver who accumulates 14 points will generally receive a warning letter from the BMV indicating the penalties of future traffic violations. A driver with 20 or more points will receive a notice of suspension. The duration of the suspension depends on the number of points the driver has.
- 20 points. One-month suspension
- 22 points. Two-month suspension
- 24 points. Three-month suspension
- 26 points. Four-month suspension
- 28 points. Five-month suspension
- 30 points. Six-month suspension
- 32 points. Seven-month suspension
- 34 points. Eight-month suspension
- 36 points. Nine-month suspension
- 38 points. Ten-month suspension
- 40 points. 11-month suspension
- 42 points. 12-month suspension
Appeal
A driver who receives a notice of suspension has 18 days to request an administrative hearing if he or she wants to contest the suspension. The administrative law judge in charge of the hearing can review all the relevant information and is permitted to stay the suspension upon the satisfactory completion of a driver improvement course, re-examination, or a probation term.
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