Indiana’s Points System for Driver’s Licenses

In order for someone to lawfully operate a motor vehicle in Indiana, they must have a valid driver’s license. Once you have a license, it creates a driving record, which can have an impact on job opportunities, insurance rates, and more. Violating the law can also lead to a car accident, and the violation can be proof of liability for the losses of victims. 

Every time a driver is convicted of a moving violation in Indiana, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will add a specific number of “points” to your driving record. Unlike sports games, points in this situation are not positive. In fact, too many points can lead to the suspension of your license. 

Moving violations can also help accident victims prove liability for their injuries. If you need help following a crash, reach out to a car accident law firm as soon as possible. 

How it Works

The BMV pre-assigns a point level to each violation based on its relative severity. Generally, offenses that put people at greater risk of harm have higher point values. Some examples of different point values include:

• Headlight or blinker violation = 2 points
• Speeding up to 15 mph over = 2 points
• Violating a traffic signal or stop sign = 4 points
• Improper passing = 4 points
• Speeding 16 to 25 mph over = 4 points
• Texting while driving = 4 points
• Not yielding to emergency vehicles = 6 points
• Speeding more than 25 mph over = 6 points 
• Reckless driving = 6 points
• Aggressive driving = 6 points
• Improper passing in a road work zone = 8 points
• Drag racing = 8 points
• Reckless driving causing property damage = 8 points
• Driving while suspended = 8 points
• Leaving the scene of an accident = 8 points
• Reckless driving in work zone = 8 points
• Operating under the influence (OUI) = 8 points
• Reckless driving causing injury = 10 points
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death = 10 points
• OUI causing injury or death = 10 points

Points fall off your license after two years (though the conviction remains on your driving record). You can take a driver safety education course once every three years to remove four points from your license. 

Getting Too Many Points

When you accrue too many points, there are serious consequences from the BMV. If you accrue 20 points at once, you will have a one-month driver’s license suspension. This increases by one month for each additional two points, and 42 points is a one-year suspension. 

It might seem difficult to accrue that many points, but a driver who is drunk and leaves the scene of an accident causing injuries already has 20 points added at once. If that driver then drives with a suspended license, they will have an additional 8 points added. Many drivers are repeat offenders due to reckless or aggressive driving, and they can both lose their licenses and cause injuries to others. 

Speak with an Indiana Car Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries due to a dangerous driver, you should reach out to Blackburn Romey for legal help right away. Contact us for a free consultation. Our car accident lawyers serve Fort Wayne, South Bend, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Terre Haute.