Traffic Tickets — Points and Surcharges


It is a frequent scenario that a prospective client contacts me in a state of confusion as a result of being buried in surcharges and license suspensions. The assessment of surcharges is a complicated system that raises millions of dollars for the State and when an individual either doesn’t pay the surcharges, or is late in payment, the system invalidates the individual’s driver’s license. If this is not bad enough, if the individual is found driving while in this status, the individual may be arrested or issued another citation, and the cycle starts again... additional license suspension and imposition of surcharges. This is what Scott Markowitz refers to as “the Texas gerbil cage”.

 

Call (713) 521-7568 now and speak with Scott Markowitz. Learn how he can walk you through this ‘mine field” without further damage, and restore your driving privileges.

Accumulation of Points

Individuals who have six or more points on their driver record are assessed a surcharge every year they maintain six or more points. Surcharge amounts are:

$100 for the first six points on a driver record.

$25 for each additional point after six.

Conviction Based Points

Individuals who receive a conviction for certain offenses occurring in Texas or out-of-state will pay an annual surcharge for three years from the date of conviction. Points are not assessed for these offenses because the surcharge is automatic upon conviction.

$1,000 - 1st Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
$1,500 - Subsequent DWI*
$2,000 - DWI with Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.16 or more*
$   250 - Driving While License Invalid (DWLI)
$   100 - No Driver License

* Surcharges are assessed every year for three years.

Texas Point System

Points are assessed for various and specified moving violation convictions. Once the conviction has been added to an individual’s driver record, points are assigned and remain on the driver record for three years from the date of conviction.

  • Two points are assessed for a Texas or out-of-state conviction on a specified moving violation.

  • Three points are assessed for a Texas or out-of-state traffic conviction of a moving violation that resulted in a crash.

Points are not assessed for individuals who take a Driver Safety Course.

Surcharges

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assesses surcharges to an individual based on conviction of certain specified traffic offenses. Individuals are notified by mail each time a surcharge is added to their driver record. The notice is sent to whatever address the DPS has on file at the time. It is no defense to the obligation to pay surcharges that you did not receive the notice. The DPS fulfills its obligation when the notice is mailed. Surcharges are in addition to other fees and do not replace a suspension, revocation, denial, disqualification or cancellation resulting from the same conviction.

Surcharges are assessed in two ways:

  • The accumulation of “points”, and

  • Conviction for certain offenses

Individuals who have both points and convictions reported to their driver record will receive separate surcharges for each offense; a surcharge for the points and a surcharge for the conviction(s).

There is good news for some individuals!

The State provides one or more programs that can result in a very significant reduction of surcharges. Qualification for reduction of surcharges is based on the level of annual income.

Call (713) 521-7568 now and speak with Scott Markowitz. Get the facts on whether you may qualify for a reduction of surcharges.