Texas Point System

Texas, like in many states in the US uses a point system in order to insure the safety on the public highways and roads.  When a Texas motorist accumulates too many points against them then they may be jeopardizing their driving privileges.  Points are issued against a driver for driving errors such as a speeding ticket or DUI.

Driver Responsibility Program

The state of Texas has what is called a Driver Responsibility Program.  The program is designed to help ensure that drivers are responsible on the state highways and roads.  Although Texas works on a point system, there are some violations that do not incur points.  For instance if a driver receives a speeding ticket but is traveling a speed of less than 10% over the speed limit,  there are no point incurred.  Visit for more information on Texas’ Driver Responsibility Program

Texas Point System

As opposed to other states, Texas has a stiff point system that can be extremely hazardous to motorists who make driving errors.  What this means to the motorist is that it doesn‘t necessarily take many driving mistake before they are faced with heavy penalties and their license is in jeopardy.  How stiff are the penalties for driving offenses?  This is just an example of how stiff Texas really is:

  • The Texas motorist will incur two points for one moving violation
  • Should the motorist be involved in a moving violation that resulted in an accident which was in their error the points incurred will be three points.
Penalties are stiff in Texas which is all part of the DRP program.  Aside from being stiff they can be heartbreaking as motorists that have four moving violations in 12 months or seven moving violations in 24 months will have their driving privileges suspended.  For more egregious violations continue reading to 4dmv.com’s section below on “conviction based surcharges“.

Texas motorists that are in a situation where they have accumulated traffic citations that jeopardize their license not only have to face the loss of their driving privileges but also the points which are accumulated against their driver’s license as well as an increase in insurance premiums.

What Can Points Against Your Record Cost You?

  • Penalties can cost an enormous amount.  You do, under Texas law, have the privilege of defense.  However, should you decide to defend yourself against the charges, this can be costly as well in legal fees alone.  With any serious violation it is suggested to seek legal council as this may be the difference of points on your driving record.  Normally, offenses such as DWI’s will cost thousands; however, often times a lawyer can have the charges reduced.
With each point that is tallied on your driving record your insurance premiums are at jeopardy as well as your driving privileges.  With an excessive amount of points your premiums will go up and the state of Texas may revoke your driving privileges.

  • If you are a motorist that has accumulated six points on your license within a year you not only have to pay the penalties and have the points recorded on your driving record, you will have to pay a $100 assessment surcharge.
  • And, for each addition point the amount increase by $25.
  • For every year that a Texas motorist has six or more points on their driving record, they will have to pay the fee of $100, along with the additional $125 for each addition point above six points.
Conviction Based Surcharges

  • If you are a Texas motorist that has made driving errors then you must be aware of what the state of Texas calls Conviction Based Surcharges.  Motorists that are faced with conviction based surcharges are fined for a consecutive period of three years for the same offense.  For more information visit Driver Responsibility Program
There are specific charges that fall under this category including:

  • A DUI arrest, intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter
These charges are as follows:

  • For a Texas motorist that receives a first time offense $1000
  • For a Texas motorist that that is charged with their second or subsequent offense $1500
  • For a Texas motorist that receive a DWI with a BAC of 0.16 or higher $2,000
Other Violations That Will Get You "In The Glitch”

  • Texas motorist must carry the required amount of liability insurance. If they should fail to do so they can face a $250 penalty for lack of financial responsibility
  • Texas motorist will also be penalized if cited while their driver’s license is suspended.  This penalty will result in a $250 fine
  • Texas motorists will be cited if they are pulled over while driving without a license.  The fee is $100
These charges in the state of Texas are expensive.  In fact, you will have to pay for them every year for a term of three years.  And, for that DWI charge that is 0.16 or greater BAC reading, you will be responsible to pay $6,000.  This does not include the initial fine of the offense, court costs and other fees that pertain to the charge.

Texas is stiff, and it is important to realize the penalties involved with getting traffic violations.

Check your Driver’s License Status

  • If you are a Texas then you might consider ordering your driver’s record report. Your driving record report will allow you to know exactly what is on your record.  You may also be eligible for methods to correct the errors to eliminate or reduce your points. For more information on your Driving Record Report visit 4dmv.com’s Driving Records in Texas Section.