Published by The Davis Law Group, P.C.
Speeding tickets and other moving violations are assigned a certain number of points on your Illinois driving record depending on the specific offense.
Illinois Speeding Ticket Points
Speeding tickets can vary between a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 50 points as follows:
- Speeding 1-10 MPH above the limit – 5 points
- Speeding 11-14 MPH above the limit – 15 points
- Speeding 15-25 MPH above the limit – 20 points
- Speeding 25+ MPH above the limit – 50 points
- Speeding in a school zone – 20 points
- Speeding in a construction zone – 20 points
How does the Illinois point system work?
The significance of points for moving violations is different from state to state. In Illinois, regardless of the number of points, a suspension or revocation is not entered until the driver has been convicted of a certain number of moving violations within a set period of time. Once that occurs, points are used to determine the length of a driver’s license suspension or if a license revocation will be imposed.
If a driver 21 years of age or older receives 3 citations resulting in convictions within a 12-month period, the Secretary of State will add up the points to determine the length of suspension (or if a revocation should be imposed) as follows:
- 15 to 44 points – 2-month license suspension
- 45 to 74 points – 3-month license suspension
- 75 to 89 points – 6-month license suspension
- 90 to 99 points – 9-month license suspension
- 100 to 109 points- 12-month license suspension
- 110+ points – License Revocation
If a driver under 21 years of age receives 2 citations resulting in convictions within a 24-month period, the Secretary of State will add up the points to determine the length of suspension (or if a revocation should be imposed) as follows:
- 10 to 34 points – 1-month suspension
- 35 to 49 points – 3-month suspension
- 50 to 64 points – 6-month suspension
- 65 to 79 points – 12-month suspension
- 80+ points – License Revocation
What if I have a CDL?
A CDL holder will be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a minimum period of 2-months if convicted of 2 serious traffic violations within a 3-year period.
A CDL holder will be disqualified for a minimum period of 4-months if convicted of 3 serious traffic violations within a 3- year period.
Serious traffic violations committed in a commercial vehicle include offenses such as speeding 15 mph or more over the posted limit, reckless driving, improper lane usage, cell phone violations and following too closely.
While the points described above don’t impact the length of disqualification, the license suspensions and points listed above do apply to a CDL holder’s regular driving privileges.
What other consequences am I facing?
Aside from a license suspension, speeding tickets and other moving violations can result in high fines, court costs, insurance rate increases, traffic school and other penalties.
Simply paying your ticket will result in the entry of a conviction on your driving record. Traffic violation convictions typically stay on your Illinois driving record for at least five years.
If you subsequently maintain a clean driving record, the Secretary of State will typically begin to remove older convictions after that amount of time has passed.
It is important to understand that a sentence of court supervision if completed successfully, will prevent the entry of a conviction or accumulation of points on your driving record.
A traffic attorney can often work with the prosecutor to prevent a conviction through negotiation or challenge the ticket at trial when appropriate. It may even be possible for an attorney to avoid the need for you to personally appear in court under certain circumstances.
What if my license is already suspended?
If your driver’s license has already been suspended for moving violations or if you received a ‘Notice of Suspension’ from the Secretary of State, it’s not too late. It may still be possible to remove the suspension.
Our driver’s license reinstatement attorneys are often able to re-open your old traffic tickets and remove prior convictions, which may result in a rescission of the suspension. Our traffic attorneys can review your record to determine the best course of action.
Chicago Traffic Attorneys
If you receive an Illinois traffic ticket, contact the attorneys at The Davis Law Group, P.C. to discuss your options. Our attorneys provide legal representation on speeding tickets and many other traffic violations throughout the Chicago area including Cook County, Lake County and DuPage County. Feel free to call us today at (847) 390-8500 or submit your information via the contact form on our website.