Tickets, points and suspensions

Key points

1. Signing a traffic ticket is a promise to appear in court. If you fail to appear, DMV may suspend your license until you do.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “if you get a traffic ticket and fail to appear (FTA) in court, DMV may suspend your driving privilege until you appear.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

2. Traffic convictions and collisions stay on your record for 36 months or longer.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Traffic convictions and collisions stay on your record for 36 months or longer, depending on the type of conviction.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

3. An adult can be suspended for 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months or 8 points in 36 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “4 points in 12 months. • 6 points in 24 months. • 8 points in 36 months.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

4. A provisional driver with two at-fault collisions or violations in the first year cannot drive for 30 days without an adult 25 or older.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “Two at fault collisions, two traffic violation convictions, or one of each: You cannot drive for 30 days unless a licensed adult, at least 25 years old, rides with you.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 55

5. A 15 to 20 year old convicted of using alcohol or drugs faces a one year suspension or a delayed license.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “A conviction of using alcohol or a controlled substance, or both and are 15-20 years old: The court will order DMV to suspend your driving privilege for one year or delay your eligibility to apply for a driver’s license.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 55

6. Turning 18 does not erase existing restrictions, suspensions or probation.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “Turning 18 years old does not erase or end existing restrictions, suspensions, or probation sentences.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 55

7. To contest a proposed action, request a hearing within 10 days of being served or 14 days from mailing.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “you must request a hearing within 10 days of being served or 14 days from the date the notice is mailed.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 55

8. If an unlicensed person is caught driving your vehicle, it may be impounded for 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “If an unlicensed person is caught driving your vehicle, it may be impounded for 30 days.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 53

9. Fleeing or trying to evade law enforcement in a vehicle is a misdemeanor.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “It is a misdemeanor to use a motor vehicle to flee or attempt to evade law enforcement performing their duties.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 53

Numbers to know

3 questions from the California practice test

1. 1. Which adult point total may lead DMV to suspend a California driver license?

   1. 2 points in 12 months.
   2. 4 points in 12 months.
   3. 5 points in 24 months.
   4. 7 points in 36 months.
   Show answer

   4 points in 12 months.. For adults, California lists possible suspension when the record shows 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24 months, or 8 in 36 months. The 7-in-36 choice is one point short of the handbook's 36-month total. These numbers matter because convictions and certain collisions remain on the driving record. The cue is the time window: match the point count to 12, 24, or 36 months before deciding whether the negligent-operator threshold is reached.

2. 2. What can happen if an unlicensed person is caught driving your vehicle in California?

   1. Only the driver receives a warning letter
   2. The vehicle must be sold at auction immediately
   3. The vehicle may be impounded for 30 days
   4. DMV must cancel the owner's registration for one year
   Show answer

   The vehicle may be impounded for 30 days. California warns that a vehicle may be impounded for 30 days when an unlicensed person is caught driving it. The warning letter choice understates the consequence because the handbook names an immediate vehicle penalty, not only a notice to the driver. Before lending a car, the practical cue is to verify that the person has a valid license for that vehicle type and is allowed to drive at that time.

3. 3. You signed a citation promising to appear in traffic court, then missed the date. What can DMV do?

   1. Nothing, because court attendance is not a DMV matter
   2. Cancel the citation after a waiting period
   3. Convert the charge into a written warning
   4. Suspend your driving privilege until you appear
   Show answer

   Suspend your driving privilege until you appear. Signing a ticket is a promise to appear, and breaking it lets DMV suspend your driving privilege until you do appear. The failure to appear also goes onto your driver record, so ignoring the date makes the situation worse rather than letting it lapse. The charge is not downgraded to a warning, and the citation does not expire on its own. If you cannot attend on the scheduled day, contact the court beforehand to reschedule, because the suspension follows from the missed promise and not from the original violation.

Source: the California Driver's Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.