Driving in Oklahoma is a privilege, not a right. If you misuse that privilege you could lose it for a period of time. Losing the legal ability to drive can seriously complicate your life.
Can I Lose My Ability to Drive in Oklahoma?
If you are a licensed driver in Oklahoma, it is important to understand the consequences of accumulating too many points on your driver’s license. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a point system in place to monitor the driving records of all licensed drivers in the state.
Every time you are convicted of a traffic violation, points are added to your driver’s license. The number of points you receive depends on the severity of the violation. For example, a speeding ticket may result in two or three points, while a DUI conviction can result in eight points.
To avoid accumulating too many points on your Oklahoma driver’s license, it is important to follow all traffic laws and regulations. This includes obeying speed limits, wearing a seatbelt, and not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you do receive a traffic violation, consider attending a driver improvement clinic or contesting the ticket in court to try to reduce the number of points you receive.
Consequences of Accumulating Too Many Points
If you accumulate too many points within a certain period of time, you may face consequences from the DPS. The most severe is the suspension of driving privileges.
The length of time your license will be suspended differs depending on the frequency of the offense:
- First offense: 1 month
- Second offense: 3 months
- Third offense: 6 months
- Fourth offense: 12 months
Points fall off automatically after five years. To make points fall off faster, you may have to do things like take a defensive driving course. Additionally, if you go a certain amount of time without getting convicted or engaging in any traffic violations, your points will automatically reduce. You lose two license points if a year passes without any traffic infractions. Your points reset to zero if three complete years pass without any issues.
Another major consequence of accumulating points on your license is that your insurance company may hike your rates. Insurance companies view drivers with multiple points as high-risk, which can lead to higher premiums as a result.
By understanding the consequences of accumulating too many points on your drivers license and taking steps to avoid them, you can ensure that you maintain a clean driving record and avoid potential issues with the DPS.
Low-cost Consultation with an OKC Driving Attorney
If you have questions about your driving record, what can be done to improve it, or if you have a traffic infraction and want to avoid getting points on your license, you should speak with an Oklahoma City misdemeanor defense attorney privately and confidentially. Simply dial (405) 588-4529 to reach the Criminal Defense Law Office of Oklahoma City (588-4LAW). If you’d prefer, you can use the contact form at the top right of this page to send your inquiry directly to an Oklahoma misdemeanor lawyer. Regardless of the method you choose, a misdemeanor defense lawyer in Oklahoma City will be in touch with you shortly.