Everyone knows that points on your license are a bad thing, but how does the system work? Attorney Marc Lopez turned to Attorney Matt Kroes for answers about license points and how they can affect driving privileges. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation.
Marc Lopez
I’m here today with Matt Kroes. Matt is the driver’s license attorney here at the Mark Lopez Law Firm. Every attorney here knows a lot about driver’s license issues, but Matt’s the go-to guy. Walk us through the point system.
Matt Kroes
Indiana has adopted a point system with driver’s licenses, the purpose being to identify people who need to drive better. In other words, each little traffic violation has a certain number of points associated with it.
For example, a speeding ticket could be anywhere from two to six points, depending on how fast you’re going. Certain criminal offenses—such as DUI or leaving the scene of an accident—are a bit more severe. The penalty for DUI causing death or serious bodily injury is 10 points.
Marc Lopez
What’s the purpose of having points?
Matt Kroes
The BMV basically wants to keep tabs on Indiana drivers. The more points you have, the more likely it is that you need to learn how to drive better. Accumulate enough points and the BMV will suspend you.
If you get 14 points in a two-year period, the BMV is going to send you a warning notice: If you keep driving like this, you’re going to end up suspended. If you hit 20 points, the BMV says enough—you lose your license for a month. And of course, it can get worse, the more points you accumulate over that two-year period.
Click here to read on about the Indiana BMV’s point system.
