Wisconsin Demerit Points Explained, and How to Lower Yours

How points land on your record

Points are assigned when a court convicts you. WisDOT looks at the charge code and the type of license you had to decide how many. A clean record has zero. Each violation's own date decides whether it falls inside the 12 month window, which means a pending ticket can combine with an older one once it ends in conviction.

Convictions from other states appear on your Wisconsin record without Wisconsin points. WisDOT acts on them only when state law calls for a mandatory suspension or revocation.

What common tickets cost

The numbers below are from WisDOT's BDS108 table of charge codes. A few charges are worth zero points but still matter, such as a seat belt violation under code FFS.

• 2 points: obstructing traffic, illegal backing, a defective speedometer
• 3 points: up to 10 mph over the limit, following too closely, an illegal turn, not signaling, ignoring a sign or signal, illegal passing, driving without a license
• 4 points: 11 to 19 mph over, failure to yield, imprudent speed, deviating from your lane, inattentive driving, wrong side of the road, improper phone use, texting, not stopping for a school bus
• 6 points: OWI, reckless driving, 20 mph or more over the limit, trying to elude an officer, failing to stop after a crash involving an attended vehicle

How long a suspension lasts

Two things set the length: your license type and your total. Regular and CDL drivers lose their license for 2 months at 12 to 16 points, for 4 months from 17 to 22, for 6 months from 23 to 30, and for a full year beyond 30. Anyone on a probationary license or a permit, or with no license, loses 6 months anywhere from 12 to 30 points and a year past 30.

When points alone caused the suspension, an occupational license may let you keep driving for work and daily necessities. WisDOT has a tool online to check whether you are eligible, and as of October 2026 the occupational license costs $50. Reinstatement once the suspension ends costs $60.

New drivers and double points

If you hold a permit or probationary license, or have no license, each conviction after your first is worth double, with Chapter 347 equipment violations the exception. Watch how fast that bites: a probationary driver's first 4 point ticket counts 4, the second 4 point ticket counts 8, and the total is already 12.

So many teens and new adult drivers book the Traffic Safety course soon after their first ticket. The reduction applies to points from violations on or before the day they complete it, which means it cushions what is already on their record.

Using the course to take 3 off

Wisconsin technical colleges teach the Traffic Safety course in person over 12 hours. There is no limit on how often you can take it. The limit is on the benefit: WisDOT removes points only once every three years, and only if you contact the department within 30 days after you finish.

Already suspended at 12, 13 or 14 points? Completing the course may release the suspension. Above 14, you still get 3 points off, but you serve the suspension. A right of way course from a private driving school earns no reduction at all.

How long convictions stay on your record

Wisconsin can remove most convictions from your record once five years have passed since the conviction date. An alcohol related conviction stays for good, so an OWI never ages off.

As of October 2026, an abstract of your record costs $7 and a certified copy $12. After any court case, pull a copy to make sure the right charge and point value posted, and get in touch with WisDOT if anything is off.