How do Points on Driver’s License Affect Insurance in Wisconsin?


In the US State of Wisconsin, drivers can get penalty points or a demerit point, which can result in their driving license being canceled or suspended. A license can be suspended or canceled based on the number of penalty points accumulated by Wisconsin State drivers over a period of time because of the traffic offenses or infringements they committed during that period.

You can contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DStateor) to check your penalty points. Please read our article to find out how speeding Points Affect Insurance.

How do Points on a Driver’s License Affect Insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, driver’s license points affect insurance premium costs. Based on our case study, Wisconsin’s average car insurance premium is $1,186 per year for no violation points. If you get driving penalty points for a fault accident, your insurance premium cost will increase by an average of 21%, which will be $1,674 on average. Racing or reckless driving points can grow up to 60% of your insurance premium policy, so these offenses generate an average insurance cost of $ 2,207 in Wisconsin.

However, each insurance company has its driving points records ranking system. For the same offenses or penalty points, you can have different insurance premium increases in various companies.

For example, for the same fault accident in Wisconsin, Nationwide insurance companies can increase 10% the insurance policy while Allstate and Progressive insurance can increase up to 38%.

In Wisconsin, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates a demerit point system to track violations and unsafe driving practices. If you accumulate too many points, you can lose your driving privileges. Insurance companies can access your driving record and use this information, including points, to help determine your insurance rates.

The general rule is that drivers with more points are considered riskier to insure. This is because the points indicate past risky behavior, such as speeding, running red lights, or driving under the influence. Insurance companies reason that such drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents and make claims. To compensate for this increased risk, insurance companies charge higher premiums.

How long do points stay on your driving record in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, Points are assessed for traffic violations according to the severity of the offense. Motorists who accumulate at least six (6)​ points against their license receive a warning letter urging them to exercise more caution and obey all traffic laws. Continued unlawful driving can lead to license suspension.

How much do 2 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, on average, two penalty points will affect a 6% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, some can increase costs by up to 67%.

How much do 3 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, on average, three penalty points will affect an 8% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, others can increase costs by up to 72%.

How much do 4 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, four penalty points will affect an average 7% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 5 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, five penalty points will affect an average 8% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 6 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, six penalty points will affect an average 9% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 7 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, seven penalty points will affect a 20% premium insurance increase on average. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 8 points affect insurance in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, eight penalty points will affect an average 30% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

The length of a suspension period for any Wisconsin license holder

Like most states, Wisconsin uses a point system to track unsafe driving behaviors. This point system provides a quantifiable state for the state to monitor and penalize hazardous driving, aiming to promote road safety. Points can be assigned for various offenses, from speeding and running red lights to more serious violations like driving under the influence (DUI). As points accumulate, so too do the consequences, culminating in the suspension of the driver’s license for a specified period.

For any Wisconsin license holder, the length of a suspension period hinges on the number of demerit points acquired over time. In Wisconsin, accruing 12 to 30 points within 12 months leads to a six-month suspension of your driving privileges. If a driver accrues more than 30 points within the same period, the suspension extends to one year.

However, there is a more nuanced breakdown of suspension lengths for individuals holding a regular or commercial driver’s (CDL) license.

  • Accumulating 12 to 16 points results in a two-month suspension. This penalty is meant to serve as a significant wake-up call to drivers pushing the boundaries of safe driving behaviors.
  • If a driver amasses 17 to 22 points, this leads to a four-month suspension. This increased suspension period underscores the gravity of the drivers’ unsafe driving practices and encourages reevaluating their habits on the road.
  • For those who reach the 23- to 30-point mark, a six-month suspension becomes effective. This half-year period without driving privileges is a considerable sanction and underscores the need for severe behavioral change.
  • Lastly, drivers exceeding the 30-point threshold within 12 months face a one-year suspension. This is the most severe penalty, reserved for those who have repeatedly demonstrated unsafe driving behaviors, posing a significant risk to themselves and other road users.

These measures are not meant to be punitive but rather preventative. By enforcing these suspension periods, the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) aims to encourage safer driving behaviors and reduce the number of traffic-related incidents and injuries.

In Wisconsin, it’s worth noting that there are options to reduce the points on your record, such as completing a traffic safety course, which can deduct three points from your total. This mitigates the risk of license suspension and helps potentially keep insurance premiums from skyrocketing due to accumulated points.

To sum up, Wisconsin’s point system and its corresponding suspension periods are concrete reminders of the importance of safe driving. Remember, points and suspensions are preventable—safe, responsible driving keeps everyone safer on the road.

Offense and driving points record in Wisconsin

Violation Number of Points Assigned
Obstructing traffic 2
Failure to signal 3
Driving with a suspended or revoked license 3
Tailgating 3
Speeding 1-10 miles per hour over the limit 3
Speeding 11-19 miles per hour over the limit 4
Unnecessary acceleration 4
Inattentive driving 4
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles 4
Failure to stop for the school bus 4
Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit 6
Failure to stop for an accident 6
DUI 6
Racing 6
Reckless driving 6
Failure to stop for an accident 6
Jason Martin

Jason Martin

Jason Martin is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the insurance industry, with over 26 years of relevant knowledge under his belt. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Jason got Actuary Insurance Certification in 2005. From 2022., Jason writes educational insurance articles for Promtinsurance.com. Please read : Jason Martin biography Write email: jason@promtinsurance.com

Recent Posts