# Question about a letter i got from the DMV **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555 "2009-02-12T17:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/1 "2009-02-12T17:06:35Z")
I received a speeding ticket in early January 2008, and then again in late November 2008. I received a letter from the DMV on January 8, 2009. In it was listed all of the demerit points i lost. The ticket from January along with the 4 points i lost was listed. But since its been over a year since i received that ticket, shouldn’t my points have been restored, or did me getting a ticket in November delay them giving me demerit points? If it makes any difference, the ticket in January was for 10+ MPH over the speed limit. The one in November was for 1-10 MPH over the speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/2 "2009-02-12T17:20:41Z")
Each state has it’s own traffic laws. The state I’m in doesn’t use a point system. My last speeding ticket was 20 years ago. In that state (Missouri), at that time points assessments stayed with you for 3 years. Add your state and I’m sure someone will be along with more information. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/3 "2009-02-12T17:21:35Z")
Alright, I’m in Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/4 "2009-02-12T17:51:19Z")
I did some Googling and found [their own website explaining the point system](http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/points/point.htm). It’s not entirely clear, but my wild guess is: You got the first ticket in “early January 2008” and their January 8, 2009 letter was written using data from just shy of 365/366 days after that first ticket. (They don’t use calendar years, but 12 months from the first violation date. So if you got a ticket in November 2008 and then one in February 2009, they’ll count both violations against your points.) In this case, you might expect that those first 4 points would have dropped off within days of them writing the letter. They have a “check your driver’s license status” link right on that page; if it lists points after you enter the data, you may get your answer right now. ---
**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/5 "2009-02-12T17:56:06Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I did some Googling and found [their own website explaining the point system](http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/points/point.htm). > > It’s not entirely clear, but my wild guess is: You got the first ticket in “early January 2008” and their January 8, 2009 letter was written using data from just shy of 365/366 days after that first ticket. I just checked the website and it doesn’t list points. Your guess is very possible though, as my ticket was January 4, so i imagine the letter was written up around that time. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/6 "2009-02-12T23:08:44Z")
Keep in mind that all the insurance companies keep track of everybody’s moving violations. Besides the fines and your worries about losing your license, there’s a hidden fine in your insurance bill. You make your own decisions. At some time, you’ll ponder how important it is to go fast. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/7 "2009-02-12T23:22:01Z")
> [@TNWPsycho](#): > > I received a speeding ticket in early January 2008, and then again in late November 2008. > > I received a letter from the DMV on January 8, 2009. In it was listed all of the demerit points i lost. > > The ticket from January along with the 4 points i lost was listed. But since its been over a year since i received that ticket, shouldn’t my points have been restored, or did me getting a ticket in November delay them giving me demerit points? > > If it makes any difference, the ticket in January was for 10+ MPH over the speed limit. > The one in November was for 1-10 MPH over the speed limit. Are you in Tennessee? Because I got a similar letter under similar circumstances: it was ostensibly a notification of the points I’d gotten on my license, but I got it TWO YEARS after the accident in question, and thus the points had already expired. If we’re both Tennesseans, I think the best explation is that Nashville is…touched. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-letter-i-got-from-the-dmv/485555/8 "2009-02-12T23:45:44Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Keep in mind that all the insurance companies keep track of everybody’s moving violations. Besides the fines and your worries about losing your license, there’s a hidden fine in your insurance bill. Depends on the company, the state, and a few other things. When I worked for Allstate in Colorado, we only checked a person’s driving record at the beginning of a new policy, or after an accident. If you never got in an accident, we never checked your driving record again- too expensive and a pain in the ass for a bazillion Allstate clients. YMMV, of course. But my USAA policy appears to be the same as what I described above.