Illinois Traffic Violations

Drivers in Illinois who receive traffic violations can expect to have these violations remain on their driving record for up to five years, and longer if the ticket resulted in suspension of their license. If you receive a traffic citation, the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified and will add "points" to your Illinois driving record.

Points System and Suspension of Licenses

Based on the type of traffic violation you receive, the number of citations you have already received in Illinois in the current year and the status of your Illinois driving record prior to receiving the citation, your Illinois driving privileges may be suspended should you accumulate too many points. For example, the first time you receive 15 points on your license in a single year, your license may be suspended for up to two months. If you receive over 110 points in a single year, your license could be revoked for an entire year. If you are a repeat offender, the penalties may be as severe as a lifetime revocation of your driving privileges, barring a successful appeal in Illinois state court. Illinois also employs a "three strikes law," wherein your driver's license can be revoked indefinitely if you receive three traffic violations in a single year. A detailed and somewhat complex explanation of Illinois' point system can be found here, or you can contact the Illinois Driver Services Department to speak with someone about your individual situation, at 1(800) 252-8980.

Attending Illinois Traffic Schools and Driver Improvement Programs

Illinois offers drivers the opportunity to have traffic violations reduced or removed from their driving record, or even dismissed entirely, if they participate in traditional or online traffic safety school programs. This opportunity is based on the nature of your traffic violation and your prior Illinois driving record. If you are under the age of 21, however, Illinois state law requires you to participate in a traffic safety program. Further, Illinois drivers under 21 years old who are issued two traffic violations within a two-year timeframe will have their driving privileges suspended until they complete an online defensive driving program or traditional traffic safety course. If you wish to enroll in an online traffic school course, you should contact the Illinois Driver Services Department to see if the course you wish to enroll in is state-approved, or contact the local Illinois court that oversees your traffic violation to request approval. The contact information for the court handling your citation will be provided on your traffic ticket.

The Benefits of a Clean Illinois Driving Record

Maintaining an Illinois driving record that is free of traffic violations will help you in several ways. In addition to avoiding costly fines, a clean Illinois driving record helps ensure your driver's license is not suspended or revoked. Further, you will be able to maintain lower car insurance payments by keeping your Illinois driving record clear. By preventing traffic violations from ending up on your Illinois driving record, you help prevent your insurance premiums from being raised by your auto insurance provider.

Illinois Mature Driver Insurance Discount

A good Illinois driving record may even qualify you for an insurance discount. Illinois Mature Drivers, or those drivers over the age of 55, can take an eight-hour online mature driver course designed to lower your insurance premiums.

Illinois Juvenile Driver Insurance Discount

Juvenile Illinois drivers, or those under the age of 18, may also be able to take an online Illinois driver improvement course. In addition to these benefits, online traffic school helps you develop and improve your driving abilities and defensive driving techniques so that you can better avoid traffic violations in the future.

Illinois Classroom Traffic Schools

After being issued a traffic citation, the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles will automatically mail you information on how to enroll in online traffic safety programs, as well as a list of approved traffic safety programs. If you wish to attend traffic safety and defensive driving classes in a traditional classroom setting, you can contact the Illinois Driver Services Department at 1(800) 252-8980, for a complete list of state-approved schools.