Most states penalize drivers who violate traffic and criminal laws while operating a motor vehicle by restricting, suspending, or revoking the driver’s license. For example, a state may suspend a driver’s license upon refusal to submit to a blood or breath test when suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when a driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And most states have a traffic ticket points system that assigns points to traffic offenses—with more serious offenses receiving more points. The points a driver accumulates become a part of the driver’s record with the state and a specified number of points will lead to greater driver’s license penalties—including suspension of the driver’s license—as well as higher insurance premiums charged by insurance companies.

The use and structure of traffic ticket point systems vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates a traffic violation point system where drivers accumulate points on their driving record for various traffic offenses. More serious violations result in more points. For instance, speeding might incur a different number of points depending on how much over the speed limit the driver was going. If a driver accumulates too many points within a certain period, this can lead to the suspension of their driver's license. Specifically, under Rhode Island law, if a driver accumulates 12 or more points within a 12-month period, their license may be suspended. Regarding driving under the influence (DUI), Rhode Island law mandates that any person who refuses to submit to a chemical test (blood, breath, or urine) when suspected of DUI will face a license suspension. The length of the suspension varies based on the number of previous offenses. A DUI conviction also leads to license suspension, with the period of suspension depending on the severity of the offense and the driver's prior record. These penalties are in addition to other legal consequences such as fines, community service, or imprisonment. Insurance premiums are likely to increase for drivers with points on their record or DUI convictions.