Alaska Driver Point System

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Alaska uses a traditional point system to track moving violations and trigger administrative consequences when accumulation reaches specific thresholds. Points are assigned by the Alaska DMV's Driver Improvement section based on the conviction reported by the court. The thresholds are 6 points (warning), 12 points in 12 months (mandatory hearing), and 18 points in 24 months (suspension) — with separate accelerated thresholds for drivers under 21.

Point values for common violations

10 points: reckless driving, DUI conviction (in addition to revocation), failure to stop after an accident, vehicular manslaughter, drag racing.
9 points: hit-and-run with property damage.
6 points: speeding 30+ mph over the limit, careless driving, passing a stopped school bus, fleeing a peace officer.
4 points: speeding 20-29 mph over, failure to yield to emergency vehicles, improper passing in a no-passing zone.
3 points: speeding 11-19 mph over, running a red light, running a stop sign, illegal U-turn, failure to yield right of way.
2 points: speeding 1-10 mph over, improper lane change, following too closely, failure to signal, expired registration.
1 point: seat belt violations (driver), child restraint violations, equipment violations.

The 6-point warning

When a driver accumulates 6 points in any 12-month period, the Alaska DMV mails an advisory letter — not a suspension, but a notice that the driver is approaching the next threshold. The letter outlines the available point reductions and recommends completion of a state-approved Defensive Driving Course, which removes 2 points from the active total (one course every 12 months). Most drivers who receive the warning manage to avoid the higher thresholds simply by slowing down for a year.

The 12-point hearing

When a driver accumulates 12 or more points within 12 months, the Alaska DMV requires an in-person hearing with the Driver Improvement section. The hearing officer reviews the driving history, hears the driver's explanation, and may impose:

A formal warning with no suspension (typical for first hearing with strong mitigating factors).
A 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day license suspension.
A probationary license — keep driving but any new violation triggers automatic suspension.
Mandatory completion of a Defensive Driving Course.
A driver re-examination including written and road tests.

The 18-point suspension

When a driver accumulates 18 or more points within 24 months, the Alaska DMV imposes a mandatory license suspension under AS §28.15.181. The suspension period is typically 30 days for first occurrence, 60 days for second, and 90 days for third. The driver may appeal through a hearing within 30 days but cannot drive during the suspension period. After the suspension ends, reinstatement requires:

The standard $100 reinstatement fee — see our suspended license guide.
Proof of liability insurance meeting the 50/100/25 minimum.
Completion of any DMV-ordered training or testing.

Drivers under 21

Alaska applies tighter thresholds for drivers under 21. A 16- or 17-year-old who accumulates points during the provisional license period faces extension of provisional restrictions and possible 30- to 60-day suspension at lower point totals (typically 6 to 9 points). The Driver Improvement section reviews each case individually rather than applying a strict numerical threshold.

How long points stay on your record

Points stay active for 24 months from the conviction date for purposes of the running totals (12-in-12 and 18-in-24 thresholds). The underlying conviction stays on the driving record for 5 years (10 years for DUI) — see our Alaska driving records guide. Points do not "transfer back" if a conviction is later reduced or dismissed; the driver must request a record correction from the originating court.

Removing points with defensive driving

Alaska allows a one-time-per-year point reduction of 2 points by completing a state-approved Defensive Driving Course. The course is typically 6-8 hours, available online or in person, and costs $25-$80 depending on provider. The 2-point reduction comes off the running total but doesn't remove the underlying conviction from the record. Drivers can use the reduction once every 12 months — meaning a course can keep a moderate-risk driver below the 12-point threshold indefinitely.

Out-of-state convictions

Alaska is a member of the Driver License Compact and the Non-Resident Violator Compact, meaning out-of-state moving violations are reported back to the Alaska DMV and converted to Alaska point values. The conversion isn't always exact — a 4-point Washington violation might become a 3-point Alaska violation depending on the offense match — but the conviction does post and counts toward Alaska thresholds.

What the point system doesn't cover

Some Alaska violations are administered outside the point system:

DUI revocations follow their own process under AS §28.35.030 — see our Alaska DUI laws guide.
Insurance lapses trigger automatic suspension separate from points.
Failure to appear or unpaid citations result in administrative suspension that runs until the citation is resolved.
Equipment violations (broken light, etc.) are 1 point but rarely contribute to threshold totals.