Understanding Illinois Traffic Violation Point System and License Suspensions in Joliet in 2026

If you’ve received traffic tickets in Joliet or anywhere in Illinois, understanding how the point system works is essential to protecting your driving privileges. Illinois uses a complex point system under 625 ILCS 5/6-206 where accumulating too many points on your driving record results in automatic license suspension by the Illinois Secretary of State. As a Joliet license reinstatement attorney with over 20 years of experience including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I’ve helped hundreds of drivers facing point-related suspensions regain their licenses. Many drivers don’t realize that seemingly minor traffic tickets can accumulate points leading to suspension, and once suspended, you must complete specific reinstatement requirements before the Secretary of State will restore your driving privileges.

How the Illinois Point System Works

Illinois assigns points to your driving record for moving violations based on the severity of the offense under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1040.30. The point system applies to convictions, court supervision dispositions, and guilty pleas for traffic offenses. Points remain on your record for varying periods depending on the violation type. Minor violations like speeding 10 mph over the limit result in 5 to 20 points. More serious violations including reckless driving or improper passing result in higher point totals. Illinois uses a rolling time period to calculate points, meaning violations don’t automatically fall off after a set time but continue affecting your total until specific periods expire. The Secretary of State reviews your point total periodically and issues suspensions when you exceed threshold levels.

Traffic Violations and Their Point Values

Specific traffic violations carry different point values under Illinois law. Speeding convictions result in 5 points for exceeding the limit by 1 to 10 mph, 10 points for 11 to 14 mph over, 15 points for 15 to 25 mph over, 20 points for 26 to 34 mph over, and 50 points for 35 mph or more over the limit. Disobeying a traffic control device including running red lights or stop signs carries 20 points. Improper lane usage results in 10 points. Failure to yield carries 20 points. Following too closely results in 10 points. Passing a school bus with lights flashing results in 20 points. Texting while driving carries points plus fines in Will County where enforcement is strict.

The Illinois Secretary of State suspends licenses based on point accumulation thresholds for different age groups and violation patterns. Drivers age 21 and over face suspension if they accumulate three convictions for moving violations within 12 months. You face suspension for accumulating two serious violations like reckless driving within 24 months. Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit in a single conviction triggers suspension regardless of other points. Drivers under age 21 face stricter thresholds including suspension for two moving violations within 24 months. Commercial driver’s license holders face federal disqualification rules in addition to Illinois point suspensions. The Secretary of State issues warning letters when your record approaches suspension levels.

Illinois law establishes different suspension types based on your violation pattern and point total. Discretionary suspensions under 625 ILCS 5/6-206 occur when the Secretary of State determines your driving record shows patterns of negligence based on multiple violations. These suspensions typically last until you complete remedial driving courses and appear for Secretary of State hearings. Mandatory suspensions occur automatically when you reach specific point thresholds with set durations based on your violation history. Indefinite suspensions continue until you complete required conditions like remedial courses, pay reinstatement fees, and demonstrate improved driving habits. During suspension, you cannot legally operate vehicles in Illinois or obtain licenses from other states due to interstate compact agreements.

When the Illinois Secretary of State determines your driving record warrants suspension, you receive a Notice of Suspension by certified mail. The notice specifies the effective suspension date, typically 45 days after the notice date. The notice lists the specific violations triggering suspension and the suspension duration. You must surrender your driver’s license to the Secretary of State within 10 days of the suspension effective date. Driving during the suspension period results in additional criminal charges for driving on a suspended license, which carries mandatory jail time for first convictions and felony charges for subsequent convictions. The suspension notice includes information about requesting an administrative hearing to contest the suspension.

Many point-related suspensions require completing a Secretary of State Remedial Driving Course before reinstatement eligibility. These courses under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.420 focus on traffic safety education and driver improvement. The standard course runs 4 hours and costs approximately $50 to $75 through approved providers. The course covers Illinois traffic laws, safe driving techniques, and consequences of traffic violations. You must attend the entire course and pass a final examination to receive completion certification. You should complete the remedial course before your reinstatement hearing to demonstrate commitment to improved driving. Course completion doesn’t guarantee reinstatement but is typically required as a minimum condition.

Reinstating your license after a point-related suspension requires completing specific steps established under Illinois law. You must serve the complete suspension period before becoming eligible for reinstatement. You must complete any required remedial driving courses and obtain certificates of completion. You must pay the reinstatement fee of $70 for suspensions or $500 for revocations to the Illinois Secretary of State. You must file proof of financial responsibility through an SR-22 certificate from your insurance company, maintained for three years following reinstatement. For indefinite suspensions, you must request and complete a Secretary of State hearing where you present evidence of improved driving habits. You should gather documentation including the remedial course certificate, proof of insurance, and character references supporting your request for reinstatement.

Joliet and Will County drivers face particular challenges with traffic enforcement that lead to point accumulation. Interstate 80 running through Joliet sees heavy state police enforcement with frequent speeding tickets. Route 30, Route 6, and Route 53 are heavily patrolled areas where speeding violations commonly occur. Joliet Police Department uses traffic enforcement as a public safety priority, resulting in high ticket volumes for moving violations. Will County has multiple overlapping jurisdictions including Joliet Police, Will County Sheriff, and Illinois State Police, all issuing tickets that accumulate points on your record. Construction zones on I-55 and local roads create doubled fines and increased enforcement that can quickly accumulate points.

Contesting traffic tickets before conviction is the best strategy to avoid point accumulation on your record. You can request a court trial to challenge the ticket rather than paying the fine and accepting guilt. Common defenses include challenging whether the officer had proper observation of the alleged violation, questioning the accuracy of speed detection equipment, presenting evidence that emergency situations necessitated the driving behavior, and demonstrating the officer made errors in completing the citation. For speeding tickets, you can subpoena calibration records for radar or laser equipment. Many Joliet traffic cases resolve through negotiation with Will County prosecutors where moving violations can be reduced to non-moving violations that don’t add points. Hiring experienced Joliet traffic attorneys familiar with Will County courts significantly improves outcomes.

Illinois participates in the Driver License Compact, meaning out-of-state traffic convictions typically transfer to your Illinois driving record and add points. If you receive a traffic ticket while driving in another state and are convicted or pay the fine, the conviction gets reported to Illinois through interstate data sharing. The Illinois Secretary of State adds points based on how Illinois would classify the equivalent violation. If you’re licensed in Illinois and receive an out-of-state ticket, you should consider traveling back to contest it rather than simply paying the fine, as the conviction will follow you home and potentially trigger suspension.

After clearing point-related suspensions, maintaining a clean driving record requires vigilance and defensive driving habits. You should regularly check your Illinois driving abstract available from the Secretary of State to monitor your point total. You must update your address with the Secretary of State to ensure you receive suspension notices timely. Defensive driving courses beyond those required for reinstatement can demonstrate commitment to safe driving. Always contest traffic tickets that could add points rather than automatically paying fines. In Will County, many violations can be negotiated to non-moving offenses that don’t affect your record. Follow speed limits strictly and avoid aggressive driving behaviors that draw police attention on heavily patrolled Joliet roads.

Point-related license suspensions create significant financial burdens beyond Secretary of State reinstatement fees. You face insurance rate increases of 20 to 40 percent following suspension, lasting three to five years even after reinstatement. You must maintain SR-22 high-risk insurance certificates costing approximately $500 to $800 annually more than standard coverage. Lost wages from inability to drive to work during suspension can total thousands of dollars. Attorney fees for contesting tickets or handling reinstatement hearings typically range from $500 to $2,500 depending on complexity. Remedial course fees add hundreds in additional costs. Public transportation expenses during suspension periods accumulate quickly. The total financial impact of point-related suspensions often exceeds $5,000 to $10,000 when accounting for all direct and indirect costs.

If you’re facing license suspension due to accumulated traffic violation points in Joliet or have already lost your license and need reinstatement help, contact the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba immediately for a free consultation. We handle point-related suspensions, remedial course requirements, Secretary of State hearings, and full license reinstatement for drivers throughout Joliet, Plainfield, Lockport, Romeoville, and Will County. Our experience includes successfully helping hundreds of drivers restore their privileges after point suspensions. Visit our contact page or call 815-740-4025.