Points remain on your Indiana driving record for two years from the date of the violation, but they affect your driving privileges and insurance rates during that time.
Indiana's point system tracks traffic violations on your license. When you receive a ticket for a moving violation—speeding, running a red light, reckless driving—the state assigns points to your record. Those points stay visible for two years, meaning an officer who pulls you over can see them, your insurance company can see them, and they count toward suspension thresholds.
The two-year clock starts from the date you committed the violation, not the date you paid the ticket or went to court. If you were ticketed on March 15, 2024, the points drop off on March 15, 2026, regardless of when you settled the case.
Key Takeaways
- Points stay on your Indiana license for two years from the violation date, not from the ticket date or court date.
- Accumulating 15 or more points within two years triggers an automatic license suspension, and the suspension length depends on how many points you have.
- Different violations carry different point values—a speeding ticket might be 2 to 6 points, while reckless driving is 8 points.
- You can request a court hearing to contest the violation or ask the court to reduce the points through a plea agreement.
What Point Values Mean for Common Violations
Indiana assigns points based on the severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket (1 to 15 miles per hour over the limit) is typically 2 points. Speeding 16 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit is 6 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Reckless driving is 8 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points.
These points accumulate. If you receive two speeding tickets within the same two-year period, both sets of points count toward your total. The state does not erase points from older violations when new ones occur—it straightforward adds them together.
When Points Trigger a License Suspension
Reaching 15 or more points within a two-year period results in an automatic suspension. The length of the suspension depends on how many points you have accumulated. With 15 to 19 points, your license is suspended for 30 days. With 20 to 24 points, the suspension is 60 days. With 25 to 29 points, it is 90 days. With 30 or more points, the suspension is 180 days.
The suspension is mandatory—you cannot avoid it by paying a fine or taking a defensive driving course once you hit the threshold. However, you can request a hearing with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to contest the suspension if you believe the points were assessed in error.
How to Check Your Current Points
You can view your driving record through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website or by visiting a local BMV branch in person. Online, you will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows every violation on your license, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date those points will drop off.
Checking your record is free and takes a few minutes. Knowing your current point total helps you understand how close you are to suspension and whether you should contest a recent ticket in court.
Reducing or Removing Points Before Two Years
You cannot remove points early straightforward by paying a fine or waiting. However, you have two options to reduce the impact: contest the ticket in court or take a defensive driving course.
If you contest the ticket and the court finds you not guilty, the violation is dismissed and no points are assigned. If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the points stand. Some courts offer plea agreements where you plead guilty to a lesser charge with fewer points—for example, pleading to a non-moving violation instead of speeding. This is negotiated with the prosecutor, not automatic.
Taking an approved defensive driving course does not remove points that are already on your record, but it may reduce your insurance rates and can sometimes result in a point reduction if ordered by a judge as part of a court agreement. The course must be approved by Indiana and typically costs between $20 and $50.
How Points Affect Insurance and Driving Privileges
Insurance companies use your driving record to set rates. Points on your license signal higher risk, and most insurers will raise your premium when points appear. The increase varies by company and by the severity of the violation, but expect a noticeable jump—sometimes 10 to 30 percent or more for serious violations.
Points also affect your ability to renew your license. If you reach suspension thresholds, you cannot legally drive until the suspension period ends. Driving during a suspension is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and further license penalties.
What Happens After Two Years
Once two years have passed from the violation date, the points drop off your record automatically. You do not need to request removal or file paperwork. The BMV's system removes them on the anniversary date. After that date, the violation no longer appears on your driving record, does not count toward suspension thresholds, and should not be used by insurance companies to calculate rates (though some companies may still see older records through other sources).
If you have multiple violations, each one has its own two-year window. A ticket from January 2024 drops off in January 2026, while a ticket from June 2024 drops off in June 2026. They do not all disappear at once unless they happened on the same date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points stay on my record if I pay the ticket without going to court?
Yes. Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt, and the points are assigned to your record. The two-year clock starts from the violation date, not from when you pay. If you want to avoid points, you must contest the ticket in court and win, or negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor.
Can I take a defensive driving course to remove points that are already on my license?
A defensive driving course does not automatically remove existing points. However, it may reduce your insurance rates and can sometimes result in a point reduction if a judge orders it as part of a court agreement. Check with your insurance company about their specific policy on course discounts.
What if I get a ticket in another state—do those points count in Indiana?
Indiana and most other states share driving record information through the National Driver Register. Points from out-of-state violations typically appear on your Indiana record and count toward suspension thresholds. The point values may differ by state, so contact the BMV if you are unsure how an out-of-state violation affects your Indiana license.
Can I request a hearing to remove points before the two years are up?
You cannot request a hearing to remove points early, but you can request a hearing to contest the violation itself if you believe it was issued in error or if you have evidence to dispute it. If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the violation is dismissed and no points are assigned. This must happen before you are convicted or plead guilty.
How do I know if I am close to suspension?
Check your driving record through the Indiana BMV website or visit a local branch. Your record shows your current point total and the date each violation will drop off. If you are within a few points of 15, consider contesting any new tickets in court to avoid crossing the suspension threshold.