Understanding the Illinois Speeding Ticket Point System

 Posted on September 18, 2020 in Traffic violation

Like many states, Illinois has a point system attached to speeding violations that acts as a way to help drivers understand how close they are to potentially losing their license for too many driving infractions. But how many points is a speeding citation worth, and how many points are you allowed to receive in a given period? We explore Illinois’ speeding ticket point system in today’s blog.

How Many Points Is My Speeding Ticket Worth?

Every speeding ticket in Illinois carries a minimum of a five point penalty, and the points increase as your speed over the posted limit increases. Here’s a look at how many points each speeding violation is worth:

• 1-10 MPH over the posted speed limit – 5 points
• 11-14 MPH over the posted speed limit – 15 points
• 15-25 MPH over the posted speed limit – 20 points
• 25+ MPH over the posted speed limit – 50 points

It’s also worth noting that speeding in a school zone or a construction zone is considered a 20-point violation, but those can be elevated based on how fast you were traveling over the posted speed limit.

So now that we understand the point system, we have to understand how it applies to your driver’s license. The points are important, but it also matters how many citations you receive in a set period of time. Here’s how the point system is applied:

If a driver over the age of 21 receives three citations resulting in a conviction within a 12-month period, the Illinois Secretary of State will add up the points to determine how long a person’s driver’s license will be suspended.

• 15-44 points – 2-month license suspension
• 45-74 points – 3-month license suspension
• 75-89 points – 6-month license suspension
• 90-99 points – 9-month license suspension
• 100-109 points – 12-month license suspension

110+ points – license revocation

If a driver under the age of 21 receives two citations resulting in convictions within a 24-month period, the Illinois Secretary of State will add up the points to determine the length of license suspension.

• 10-34 points – 1-month license suspension
• 35-49 points – 3-month license suspension
• 50-64 points – 6-month license suspension
• 65-79 points – 12-month license suspension
• 80+ points – license revocation

It’s worth noting that speeding tickets aren’t the only way to lose your driving privileges in Illinois. More serious offenses, like reckless driving or DUI can result in license suspension after the first offense, so the point system only applies to speeding tickets.

Illinois Speeding Ticket Attorneys

If you could potentially have your license suspended for a points violation, reach out to Brett and the team at Appelman Law today. We can help contest the ticket, reduce the points you receive and help you achieve a favorable outcome for your case. For more information, or for help with your traffic ticket, reach out to Brett Appelman and the team today.