Traffic Violations: An Overview
Demerit points are assessed on a person's driving record according to the violation for which they are found guilty of having committed. Double points are assessed on probationary license for the second offense and all subsequent offenses. A maximum of 12 points are allowed. If the maximum is met, a driver's operating privileges are suspended for a minimum of two months. Convictions and the associated points can remain on a driver's record for as many as five years; alcohol related and some commercial violations remain for 10 years to life.
Insurance coverage and rates may also be affected when points are recorded on an insured driving record, or that of a member of their household.
Attorney Stephen E. Mays practices in all areas of criminal and traffic defense throughout the entire State of Wisconsin. If you have been charged with drunk driving (DUI, OWI, or DWI), call drunk driving defense attorney Stephen E. Mays today for a free case review.
Points assessed for convictions
Regular convictions and the points assessed include, but are not limited to the following:
- 6 Attempting to elude an officer
- 6 Failure to perform duty after accident
- 6 Operating while revoked or suspended
- 6 Operating under the influence of intoxicant or drugs
- 6 Reckless driving or racing
- 6 Speeding 20 mph or more over limit
- 6 Violation of occupational license
- 4 Deviating from traffic lane
- 4 Driving on wrong side of highway or street
- 4 Failure to yield right of way
- 4 Failure to yield to emergency vehicle
- 4 Imprudent driving, too fast for conditions, failure to have vehicle under control
- 4 Inattentive driving
- 4 Failure by operator to stop for school bus when red lights are flashing
- 4 Speeding 11 through 19 mph over limit
- 4 Unnecessary acceleration
- 3 Arterial or traffic control violation
- 3 Driving wrong way on one way street
- 3 Failure to dim lights
- 3 Failure to give proper signal
- 3 Following too closely
- 3 Illegal passing
- 3 Improper brakes or lights
- 3 Operating with expired license or without any license
- 3 Operating with multiple licenses
- 3 Prohibited or illegal turn
- 3 Speeding 1 through 10 mph over limit
- 3 Violation of restriction
- 2 Deprive any vehicle use of full traffic lane
- 2 Parking on highway in traffic lane, defective speedometer
- 0 License not in person's immediate possession
- 0 No registration plate light
Commercial convictions and the points assessed include, but are not limited to the following:
- 6 Operating while disqualified
- 6 Operating with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.08 causing injury
- 6 Commercial speeding in excess (20 or more mph over limit)
- 4 Commercial speeding intermediate (15 through 19 mph over limit)
- 3 Possession of intoxicating beverage while operating or being on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle
- 3 Unlawful commercial motor vehicle license or endorsement
- 0 Operating a commercial motor vehicle or being on duty time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle while having any measured alcohol concentration above 0.0 but less than 0.04 or within 4 hours of having consumed or having been under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, regardless of alcohol content
- 0 Operating with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.08 and not causing injury
Motorcycle convictions and the points assessed include, but are not limited to the following:
- 3 Headlights not lit (daylight hours 0 points)
- 3 No cycle license
- 2 Defective or repaired handlebars
- 2 More than 2 riders (operator)
- 2 No eye protection (operator)
- 0 No protective headgear