Connecticut’s Point System and How It Can Result in Loss of License

 Posted on November 07, 2022 in Traffic Violations

While most people associate a suspended or revoked driver’s license with a drunk driving conviction, there are many reasons why the state of Connecticut could take away your driving privileges. While a DUI is the most common reason for loss of license, you can also have your license suspended or revoked for not paying court fines or not paying child support. You can also lose your license if you accumulate too many points on your driving record. Any moving violation that you are convicted of will add points to your driving record. This is why you should always contact a Stamford traffic attorney when you receive a traffic citation.

Connecticut Points System

Connecticut has put in place a points system that applies to all drivers. There are a certain number of points assigned to different driving violations. Typically, the more serious the violation, the higher the number of points the violation carries. 

The violations that will result in one point added to your driving record include: 

• Driving in the wrong lane

• Not using a turn signal properly

• Illegal use of limited access highway by bus, commercial vehicle or vehicle with trailer 

• Improper turns, illegal turns, illegal stopping, and failure to signal intention to turn

• Speeding   

• Wrong way on one-way street

The violations that will result in two points added to your driving record include:

• Disobeying orders of officer 

• Getting on or off a highway at other than designated entrance or exit   

• Turning from the wrong lane

• Not obeying a stop sign

• Not obeying a traffic light’s signals

• Not following a yield sign’s directions    

• Driving through a pedestrian safety zone

• Excessively slow speed that impedes traffic

The violations that will result in three points added to your driving record include:

• Driving while impaired   

• Tailgating

• Ignoring right of way

• Failure to grant right of way to ambulance, police or fire apparatus

• Failure to grant right of way to pedestrian

• Failure to stay in the right lane when facing opposing traffic   

• Improper passing or failure to yield to passing vehicle 

• Passing in no passing zone    

• Passing on a vehicle’s right

The following violations will result in four points on your driving record:

• Tailgating with the intent to harass   

• Passing a stopped school bus    

• Street racing 

The following will result in five points added to your driving record:

• Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle

• Operation of school bus at excessive speed  

What Happens When You Accumulate Too Many Points?

When you receive points because of a traffic violation, the points will stay on your driving record for 24 months. Not only can points result in higher car insurance premiums, but they can also cause the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to take action against your license.

If, during any 24-month period, you have accumulated six points on your driving record, the DMV will notify you in writing that you are close to losing your driving privileges. You will also be required to complete the state’s Operator Retraining Program.  If you accumulate 10 points within a 24-month period, your license will be suspended for 30 days. If this occurs, accumulating another 10 points within a five-year period of time will result in a suspended license for up to two years.

Contact a Stamford, CT Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney

As you can see, more than one moving violation conviction within a two-year period has the potential of putting your driver’s license in jeopardy. Do not put your license at risk. If you have been cited for a moving violation, call the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner at 203-348-5846 to speak with an experienced Fairfield County traffic violation lawyer and find out what legal options you may have to fight the citation.

Sources:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_248.htm

https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/license-suspension/operator-retraining?language=en_US