When the Points Add Up

Like most states, the Utah Driver License Division (DLD) operates a points system intended to suspend the driver’s license of serial offenders who receive a high amount of traffic violations. In Utah, each traffic violation is assigned a point value. If a driver accrues too many points on a driver’s license in a certain timeframe the DLD will automatically suspend their license.

Accumulating points on driver’s license in Utah
Every traffic violation under Utah law is assigned a certain points value. Once a driver is convicted of a violation those points are immediately applied to a driver’s license. Violations such as Driving While Intoxicated come with their own mandatory suspensions and aren’t included in the points system. For the most part, more serious offenses come with higher point requirements:

Reckless Driving – 80 Points (2 within 12 months can suspend your license)
Careless Driving – 50 Points
Speeding 1-10 MPH over – 35 Points
Speeding 11-20 MPH over – 55 Points
Speeding 21 MPH over – 75 Points
Failure to Yield – 60 Points
Running a stop sign – 50 Points

Points Suspension under Utah Law

While all violations carry the same number of points for every, not every driver has the same point threshold. Drivers 21 years or older will have their license suspended if they accumulate 200 points or more in 3 years. This suspension is between 3 months and 1 year. Utah has a much lower tolerance for younger driver’s accumulating points. Drivers under 21 years of age will be suspended if they accumulate 70 points or more in a 3-year span. That suspension is for between 1 month and 1 year. Points come off of a license naturally over time. Some points can be removed early if drivers take a driver improvement course.

How Utah Traffic Attorney Jake Gunter can help

A driver’s license is a necessity for most people. That makes it critical for Utah drivers to get the help they need in the license reinstatement process. The attorneys with Howard, Lewis, and Petersen have a high level of experience handling traffic violations and can help not only with license reinstatement but also with keeping points off a driver’s license altogether. Experienced attorneys can often settle traffic tickets with a “Plea in Abeyance” which allows a driver to plead guilty and have the ticket dismissed after a year of probation without any points ever going onto the license. If you are facing a possible driver’s license points suspension don’t hesitate to contact Howard, Lewis, and Petersen for a free consultation.