Connecticut DMV Point System

Connecticut tracks moving violations through a numerical point system administered by the CT DMV's Driver Services Division. Points are added to the driver's record at conviction and remain visible for 24 months. Points trigger a warning, an administrative review, or a license suspension depending on the total accumulated within the rolling 24-month window.

How the point thresholds work

• 6 points within 24 months: the CT DMV mails a warning letter. No license action, but the driver is on notice.
• 10 points within 24 months: automatic license suspension. The first suspension typically runs 30 days; subsequent suspensions can run 60 days or longer.
• 14+ points: extended suspension and possible mandatory completion of a CT-approved driver retraining program before reinstatement.

Point values for common violations

Connecticut assigns points based on the seriousness of the offense:

• 5 points: Reckless driving; passing a stopped school bus; evading responsibility (hit and run with property damage).
• 4 points: Failure to grant right-of-way to a pedestrian; following too closely (tailgating).
• 3 points: Disobeying a stop sign or red signal; speeding 30+ mph over the limit; improper passing on the right; failure to obey a traffic control signal.
• 2 points: Speeding 1-29 mph over the limit (most common moving violation); making an illegal U-turn; failure to drive in the proper lane.
• 1 point: Operating with a defective windshield wiper; certain non-moving equipment violations carrying points.

Specific offense codes and point values are codified in Connecticut General Statutes § 14-137a and the CT DMV's regulations.

Convictions that trigger separate suspensions

Some convictions trigger automatic suspensions independent of the point total:

• OUI conviction — see CT OUI laws.
• Drag racing or competitive driving on public roads.
• Evading responsibility for an accident with injury.
• Two convictions of speeding 30+ mph over the limit within 24 months.
• Failure to appear in court on any moving violation citation.

The 24-month rolloff

Each point in Connecticut "rolls off" the driver's record 24 months from the date of conviction. The original violation remains on the Driver's History Record for 10 years for purposes of insurance and employment review, but the points themselves no longer count toward suspension thresholds after the 24-month window passes. Points cannot be removed early; Connecticut does not offer a traffic-school point reduction option for adult drivers.

Out-of-state convictions

Connecticut participates in the Driver License Compact, so moving violations a Connecticut driver receives in any participating state are reported back to Connecticut and assessed at the equivalent CT point value. A speeding ticket received in Massachusetts or New York will still appear on the CT record. The reverse is also true — Connecticut drivers cannot escape consequence by being cited out of state.

Insurance impact

Insurance carriers review the same point-bearing record when setting premiums. Connecticut law allows insurers to surcharge drivers for at-fault accidents and most moving violations for up to 3 years from the date of conviction. Two violations within a 3-year window typically push a driver out of preferred-rate tiers. See CT car insurance for how the rating process works in practice.

Driver retraining program

Drivers reaching 14+ points or a second suspension in a short window may be required by the CT DMV to complete an approved driver retraining program. The program is operated by approved third-party providers and runs 8-12 hours over multiple sessions. Completion certificates are filed with the DMV and are a precondition of reinstatement after the qualifying suspension.

Checking your current point total

Connecticut drivers can check their accumulated points by ordering a copy of the Driver's History Record. The DHR shows each conviction, its point value, and the conviction date — making it easy to calculate the rolling 24-month total. Many drivers pull a record before any major insurance shopping or after any traffic citation to confirm the recorded point total. For ticket dispute strategy, see CT traffic tickets.