Earning an Indiana driver’s license provides drivers with the freedom to travel to work, school, appointments, and other destinations. But that freedom comes with a responsibility to follow state traffic laws and operate a vehicle safely, which includes understanding Indiana’s driver’s license point system.
When a driver is convicted of certain moving violations, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) assigns points to the driver’s official driving record. The number of points depends on the seriousness of the violation. According to the Indiana BMV, point values for moving violations generally range from zero to 10, and points remain active on a driver’s record for two years from the conviction date.
Accumulating points can have consequences beyond the underlying traffic citation. A driver’s record may be considered when determining whether driving privileges should be suspended, and traffic violations may also affect insurance costs.
To understand the driver’s license point system, you need to know that the Indiana BMV assigns different point values depending on the offense. Some common examples include:
These are only examples. The BMV maintains a more comprehensive point-value table, and the point assigned to a particular violation can depend on the specific offense and circumstances. Drivers should also understand that points are associated with convictions, rather than simply receiving a traffic citation.
It is also important to know that Indiana BMV license points remain active on a driver’s record for two years from the conviction date. This does not necessarily mean that every aspect of a traffic conviction disappears from a driver’s complete driving history after two years.
Because a driver’s record can contain important information about prior traffic violations and convictions, drivers who are concerned about their record should review their official Indiana driving record and consult with an attorney when appropriate.
Indiana also offers a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program (DSP) to help mitigate driver’s license points. Any Indiana driver may complete an approved program and receive a four-point credit on their official Indiana driving record. The credit may be applied only once every three years. Completing a Driver Safety Program does not remove a traffic citation or conviction from the driving record; instead, the BMV applies the four-point credit to the driver’s record.
Some drivers may be required to complete a Driver Safety Program. Indiana law provides that drivers who are under 21 and are convicted of two or more traffic offenses may be required to complete the program. Drivers age 21 and older may also be required to complete a BMV-approved program after being convicted of two or more traffic offenses within 12 months. When the BMV requires a driver to complete the program, the driver generally has 90 days to complete it. Failure to complete the required program can result in suspension of driving privileges.
Attorney Caleb Fleschner emphasizes that traffic violations can have consequences that extend beyond the citation itself:
“The Indiana point system is designed to identify drivers who repeatedly engage in unsafe driving behaviors. But for the people who share the road with those drivers, the consequences of dangerous driving can be much more serious than points on a driver’s record. A speeding, distracted, or impaired driver can cause a crash that leaves another person with significant injuries.”
It is also important to note that accumulating too many points on a license can contribute to consequences involving an Indiana driver’s driving privileges. The BMV has procedures for suspensions based on excessive points, but a suspension is not determined simply by applying an outdated fixed point chart.
Drivers who receive multiple traffic convictions should review their current BMV record and determine whether they have received any notices concerning their driving privileges.
A driver should also take any BMV suspension notice seriously. Continuing to drive while driving privileges are suspended can result in additional legal consequences and additional points on the driver’s record. The BMV provides information regarding excessive-point suspensions and other reasons driving privileges may be suspended.
The purpose of Indiana’s traffic laws and driver’s license point system is to encourage safe driving and identify motorists who repeatedly violate traffic laws. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our auto accident attorneys know that dangerous driving can have consequences that extend far beyond a traffic ticket.
Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and other forms of negligence can cause serious collisions. Victims may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, permanent disabilities, and other life-changing consequences.
Attorney Caleb Fleschner says, “When someone chooses to drive recklessly or ignores basic traffic laws, they are not just putting their own driving record at risk. They are putting everyone around them at risk. When that conduct causes a crash, and someone is injured, the focus needs to be on holding the responsible party accountable and helping the injured person recover.”
If you have been injured in a crash caused by another driver, there are several important steps you can take to protect yourself and your potential claim. These include:
A driver’s traffic history may become relevant when investigating the circumstances of a collision. However, whether a driver has accumulated driver’s license points in Indiana does not by itself establish liability for a particular crash. The facts and evidence surrounding the accident must be evaluated.
The consequences of a serious car accident can extend well beyond the initial collision, and it is important to understand Indiana’s driver’s license point system. Injured victims may face medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and permanent changes to their quality of life.
At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our Indiana personal injury lawyers represent people injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by negligent drivers. We also represent individuals injured in truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle crashes. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by another driver, contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to discuss your legal options.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Indiana’s traffic laws and BMV requirements can change. The specific consequences of a traffic violation depend on the nature of the offense and the driver’s circumstances. Readers should consult the Indiana BMV or a qualified attorney regarding their individual situation.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
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