Delaware DMV Point System

Delaware uses a numerical point system to track moving-violation convictions and trigger administrative reviews and license suspensions. Each conviction adds points to the driver's record; points then decay on a fixed schedule. Reaching 12 active points within a 24-month rolling window triggers a hearing and likely suspension. Points are visible on the Delaware Driver Record for at least 5 years from each conviction.

How the point system works

Every Delaware moving-violation conviction is reported by the Justice of the Peace court or the Court of Common Pleas to the Delaware DMV, which adds the assigned points to the driver's record. Points stay on the record at full value for the first 12 months after the conviction; in the second 12 months, points are valued at half for suspension-threshold purposes. After 24 months, points no longer count toward an active suspension trigger, although the underlying conviction remains on the driver's complete record.

Point values for common violations

Delaware's point schedule under 21 Del. C. §2733:

• Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit: 2 points.
• Speeding 10-14 mph over: 4 points.
• Speeding 15-19 mph over: 5 points.
• Speeding 20+ mph over: 5 points (and possibly higher if 25+ over).
• Failure to yield right-of-way: 2 points.
• Disregarding a stop sign or red light: 2 points.
• Improper passing: 3 points.
• Following too closely: 3 points.
• Reckless driving: 6 points.
• Aggressive driving: 6 points.
• Driving on the wrong side of the road: 4 points.
• Speed contest / racing: 6 points.
• DUI: generally results in revocation rather than just points; see Delaware DUI laws.
• Failure to stop for a school bus: 6 points.

Suspension thresholds

The Delaware DMV uses these thresholds:

• 8 active points — the DMV sends a written warning letter encouraging the driver to enroll in a defensive driving course.
• 12 active points — the driver is referred to a hearing for possible suspension. The first 12-point suspension is typically 4 months.
• 14+ active points — longer suspensions with mandatory hearings.
• Habitual offender classification — three or more major-violation convictions within 5 years can trigger a multi-year revocation.

"Active" points are full-value points within the first 12 months; second-year points count at half. For example, four 4-point speeding convictions over 14 months might count as 14 active points (8 from the first 12 months plus 6 from the second 12 months valued at half) — enough to trigger the 12-point suspension review.

Defensive driving credit

Delaware drivers who complete a state-approved defensive driving course (typically 4-6 hours, available online or in-person) can earn a credit of up to 3 points against their active total. The credit is one-time within any 3-year window and applies only to existing points — it cannot pre-credit against future violations. Insurance discounts of 10-15% for course completion are typical and apply for 3 years; see Delaware insurance.

How long convictions stay on the record

Active points decay after 24 months: full value for 12 months, half value for 12 more, then dropped from the active total. The underlying conviction stays on the complete Delaware Driver Record for at least 5 years and continues to be visible to insurers during that window. DUI and major violations stay on the complete record indefinitely under Delaware's habitual-offender lookback.

Effect on insurance

Delaware insurers use both the active point total and the underlying conviction history when pricing policies. A driver with 0 points and no convictions in 3 years gets the lowest rates. A single 4-point speeding conviction can raise rates 15-25% for 3 years; an aggressive driving or reckless conviction can raise rates 30-50%. A DUI triggers the SR-22 filing and a much larger surcharge that persists for at least 3 years.

Disputing or correcting the record

If your Delaware Driver Record shows points or convictions you don't believe are correct, the path to correction runs through the court that handled the underlying citation — the Justice of the Peace court for most traffic violations or the Court of Common Pleas for more serious cases. See Delaware driving records for how to pull the record and identify the originating court, and Delaware traffic tickets for how to contest a citation that's still pending.