Each state has the right to set up a points system in which they assign points to a person's driver's license and record when they are convicted of a moving violation. Not all states have a points system for violations and the states that do vary on how many points are assigned to various violations.
For example, in Florida speeding is assessed 3 or 4 points on your driving record depending upon how many mph over the speed limit you were cited for. In California their points system is different so speeding convictions there are worth 1 or 2 points on your license.
The types of moving violations that generally have points assigned to them include:
- Speeding
- Reckless diving
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Passing a stopped school bus
- DUI
- Improper passing
- Failure to stop or yield
These are by no means the only moving violations that can be assigned points. Most state's driver's manuals have the types of violations that are assigned points along with the points list printed in them. The points are normally placed on your driving record after you have been convicted of the violation and the court sends the DMV the information.
How long points remain on a driver's record also varies depending upon the state's laws. Some states allow points to "fall off" after a certain length of time while others leave the points on there indefinitely.
In FL, points that are placed on your Florida driver's license due to traffic violations stay on your record and are counted against you for 3 years for insurance purposes. Points can continue to accumulate on your record beyond those 3 years though so the state can keep track and impose penalties if necessary.
The length of time in which an offense and points stay on a CA driving record depends on the severity of the offense. Most points for minor infractions, such as an illegal turn, speeding, etc will stay on a Californians record for 3 years. Points and violations of more serious offenses, such as hit and run or a DUI stay on your MVR for 7 to years generally.
To find out about your specific state's points system as well as what violations have points assigned to them, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles.