If you receive a traffic ticket and you fail to pay the fine, the DMV will assess an additional late fee and penalty and suspend your driving privilege until you pay the fine.
If you get into an accident that is determined to be your fault, or are convicted, the following actions will be taken against your records based on the number of accidents or convictions per 12 months:
- After your first at-fault accident or traffic violation conviction, you will receive a warning letter from the DMV.
- After your second at-fault accident or traffic violation conviction within 12 months, your license will be suspended for 30 days.
- After your third at-fault accident or traffic violation conviction within 12 months, your license will be suspended for six months and you will have a one-year probation period.
- If you have four at-fault accidents or traffic violation convictions within 12 months during your probation period, you are considered an unsafe driver and will face additional adverse actions against your driver’s license such as continuous suspension of your driver’s license past your 18th birthday.
- If you are convicted of using alcohol or drugs and you are between the ages of 13 and 21, the court will order the DMV to suspend your license for one year. If you do not have a driver's license yet, the court will order the DMV to make you wait for one year before being eligible to apply for a driver's license. Additionally, the court may order you to attend a state-approved DUI program.
Illegal Acts that Could Impact Your License
Actions in your everyday life, even those that don’t seem related to driving, could impact your driving privileges.
- Anyone 13 or older who is convicted of vandalism (or graffiti) will have driving privileges suspended for two years. If the minor doesn’t have a license yet, its issuance will be delayed for two years.
- Students between the ages of 13 and 18 who are continually truant from school will have their driving privileges suspended for one year. License issuance is delayed one year for students who do not have licenses yet.
- A minor convicted of an offense involving firearms may have driving privileges suspended for 5 years. License issuance will be delayed five years for minors who do not have a license.
