How to Avoid Adding Points to Your License

Aside from the obvious (don’t get traffic tickets), there are a number of ways to avoid adding points to your driver’s license. Accumulating points on your driver’s license can be costly in a number of ways. Most traffic violations come with points, and if you accumulate 12 or more points in a two-year period, your driver’s license will be suspended. Insurance companies regularly check your driving record and if you have added points to your license in the last year, chances are you will be charged a higher rate for insurance.

There is an option to help avoid the 12-point suspension on a one-time basis. If you accumulate more than five but no more than 11 points for traffic violations, you may receive a two-point credit if you complete a remedial driving course offered by the BMV. The two-point credit does not, however, erase any convictions from your driving record. All convictions remain on your record, but you gain a little distance on the 12-point suspension.  Do not take an online course claiming to do the same.  It must be done through the BMV.

By just paying the fine for a traffic ticket, you are pleading guilty to the charge. If you want to try to avoid adding points to your driver’s license, you should fight your traffic tickets. This is especially important if you are approaching the 12-point in two-year maximum before your license is suspended. If you are any where near that territory, you need experienced legal counsel.

This chart gives you an idea of various charges, the points they carry, and the Ohio Revised Code citation that pertains to that violation.

 

Charge	Driver’s License Points Penalty	Ohio Revised Code Citation
No Child Restraint	0	4511.81
No Driver License	0	4510.12(A)
Operating Unsafe Veh	0	4513.02
Title Violation	0	4505.18
Tag/Sticker Violation	0	4503.21
Immobilization Device Violation	0	4510.44
Immobilization Waiver	0	4503.235
Crossing Yellow Line	2	4511.30
Stop Sign	2	4511.43
Headphones	2	4511.84
Towing Violation	2	4513.32
Obstructing an Intersection	2	4511.712
Violation to Avoid Light	2
Hit-Skip with Private Property Damage	2	4549.03
Slow Speed	2	4511.22
Improper Passing	2	4511.28
Following Too Close	2	4511.34
Disregard of Safety	4	4511.20
Willful and Wanton Disregard	4	4511.201
Unsafe Operation	4	Municipal Code
Reckless Operation	4	4510.15
OVUAC	4	4511.19B
OVI/Alcohol/Liquor	6	4511.19A
DR w/o Owner Consent	6	2913.03
MTR Vehicle Felony	6	2913.02
Vehicular Homicide	6	2903.07
Aggravated Vehicular Assault w/Alcohol	6	2903.08
Aggravated Vehicular Assault	6	2903.08 (A) (1)
Vehicular Homicide w/Alcohol	6	2903.06 (A) (1)
Involuntary Manslaughter w/Alcohol	6	2903.04D
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide	6	2903.06(A)(2)
Driving under OVI Suspension	6	4510.14, 4511.19, 4511.191

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

You do not have to just accept the traffic ticket and the fines and points that come with it. It is your right to contest the traffic ticket.

Do you need an Ohio traffic attorney?

If you are facing the prospect of having points added to your driver’s license, you need an experienced traffic lawyer who can fight on your behalf. If you are facing a traffic ticket, or another in a series of traffic tickets, or DUI charges in Columbus, Ohio, you need an attorney who knows the law. Get the representation of a skilled and trusted attorney who can give you the help you need. The Maher Law Firm can help make sure that your rights are protected. Founding attorney, Colin Maher has in-depth knowledge and experience working with traffic cases and DUI charges and he will put his skills at your service. Call The Maher Law Firm today for a free consultation at 614-205-2208 or contact us online.