If you live in a state which has a points system them usually points are assigned to your MVR for a ticket, after a conviction of the moving violation associated with citation, not taken aware or lost. Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle, or a similar state agency, should be able to tell you about your state's points system.

Typically points are assessed and added to your driving record, along with the offense you were ticketed for, so that the DMV can keep track of habitual offenders or negligent drivers. After accumulating a certain amount of points within a certain time period most states will take actions against your driver's license.

There are some states, such as Virginia where you can lose safe driver points when you are found guilty of a moving violation. In VA, the DMV uses a point system to rate drivers where motorists receive demerit points for unsafe driving and safe driving points for good driving.

Demerit Points are assigned when you commit a traffic violation. Different violations carry different point assignments, depending on the seriousness of the offense. For example, you will receive 3 demerit points if you make an improper U-turn. However, you will receive 6 demerit points if you speed 20 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit. Demerit points in Virginia remain valid two years from the date you commit an offense.

Safe Driving Points are assigned for each full calendar year that you hold a valid Virginia driver’s license and drive without any violations or suspensions. In some cases, you may also earn safe driving points by completing a driver improvement clinic. You can accumulate a total of five safe driving points and you may use these safe driving points to offset demerit points.

Here is an example of how Virginia’s demerit and safe driver points work.

For five years Shari followed all the safe driving rules and always obeyed the speed limit. She accumulated a safe driving point each year, for a total of five points. But, one day Shari ran a red light. The VA DMV assigned four demerit points to her driving record. However, since she had earned five safe driving points, she ended up with one safe driving point left on her record.

To find out about any points that may be added or taken away in your state after you receive a moving violation contact your DMV. They also can advise you on how long points remain on your MVR and can be used against you. If you want to know your points total normally you will need to request it from your DMV. Typically you will need to pay a small fee for a copy of your driving record which will include your points total.