In California the Department of Motor Vehicles keeps a public record of all your traffic convictions and accidents. Tickets and accidents are assigned points. Each incident is assigned a point. Depending on the type of traffic ticket, you can get from 1 - 2 points for a traffic ticket, 1 point for an accident.

The length of time depends on the severity of the offense. Most points (illegal turn, not making a complete stop, driving over the speed limit, etc.) and/or accidents will stay on your driver record for 36 months (3 years). Points for more serious offenses, such as hit-and-run or a DUI, will stay on your record for up to 10 years

You may be considered a negligent operator when your driving record shows any one of the following point count totals regardless of your license class:

• 4 points in 12 months
• 6 points in 24 months
• 8 points in 36 months

So depending upon your violation the points will stay on your CA driving record for at least 3 years. Depending on the type of conviction though and the severity of the offense the points may stay for up to 10 years. To see how many points you have on your record get a copy of your driver's history from the DMV.

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