Do points accumulated from traffic violations expire over time? Or perhaps they need to be removed from the driver's record? In today's post, we'll learn more details about the world of points on your driver's license.

Many myths and truths circulate among common sense regarding the points present in drivers' records in general. However, it is necessary to clarify some of these untruths. See below.

First, do you know where the points on your driver's license come from? Running a red light or parking in a prohibited area. Traffic violations can occur in many ways, some innocently.

However, being responsible for some of these can be costly. This applies both to the cost of carrying the license and the dreaded fines you'll incur.

The notification process in the driver's documentation after committing a traffic violation involves points being added to their license. This can result in the suspension of their National Driver's License (CNH).

Therefore, it is essential to strictly follow the traffic laws described in the Brazilian Traffic Code. However, if you are directly responsible for an infraction, there is a solution.

Yes. Traffic violation points expire. However, this cannot be used as an excuse to repeat infractions, whether minor, moderate, or serious. Much less very serious ones.

Moreover, every infraction is prescribed in traffic laws with the aim of maintaining order on all roads used by vehicles of all kinds.

This means that if an infraction, however minor, occurs, you will be putting your safety and the safety of others at risk. And this can lead to very unpleasant consequences.

However, even if you commit a minor infraction due to inattention, it will be recorded as points on your driver's license number.

We know that points on traffic tickets expire over time. But how long does it take and how does this happen? It's important to know this so that unpleasant surprises don't occur.

From the moment any type of infraction occurs, whether minor, moderate, serious, or very serious, this point count will begin for a period of 12 consecutive months.

So, after 12 months from the date of the first infraction, it will expire. The validity of this infraction on your document will then expire.

But be aware! Points don't expire at the turn of the year. The 12-month period doesn't refer to the year the infraction occurred.

For example, if you committed a minor infraction on February 12, 2022, this infraction will not expire on January 1, 2023, but rather 12 months after the date of the infraction. That is, only on February 12, 2023.

Furthermore, points are cumulative! So each time an infraction is committed, it is added to the previous one. Traffic violation points expire, but it's essential to keep track of your points to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Remember that each infraction has a 12-month expiration period. That is, each time a new infraction is added to your record, you have more time to pay closer attention to potential new infractions.

During the 12 months following the first infraction, if you accumulate 20, 30, or 40 points on your driver's license, your license will be suspended, and you will need to complete a retraining course to regain it.

Even though renewing your driver's license might create the impression that if the document is new, the points accumulated on the old one will continue to haunt you, don't be fooled!

Points resulting from traffic violations prior to license renewal do not expire from the moment the renewal takes place. In other words, renewing your driver's license only resolves the issue of the document's validity!

Therefore, any other outstanding issues related to the driver's license number, such as points for example, remain as before.

So, if you already have points on your license and it's about to expire, maintain caution and attention while driving even after renewal. This is especially important if the oldest infraction is within the last 12 months.

To keep track of your points with the traffic authorities and find out when they expire, you need to access the Detran (Department of Motor Vehicles) website for your respective state to check your fines.

To access the website via computer, simply perform a search on a search engine like Google, using the term "Detran" followed by the name of your state. Example: "Detran Minas Gerais".

On the websites of the Department of Motor Vehicles (Detran) of each state, it is possible to consult the system using the driver's license number.

By performing the query, the total number of points accumulated on the document becomes visible, along with the level of infraction committed.

Driver's license suspension depends on the number and type of traffic violations accumulated on the document. Check the types of violations, their points, the value of the fines according to the traffic code, and keep an eye on when it expires!

Parking the vehicle on the shoulder; stopping the vehicle in the pedestrian crossing; using the horn in violation of the rules established by CONTRAN (National Traffic Council).

Throwing objects or substances from the vehicle or abandoning them on the roadway; stopping the vehicle while the steering is against the direction of travel; not changing lanes in advance to turn.

Parking the vehicle in a double row; failing to yield to pedestrians who have already begun crossing; transporting people, animals, or cargo on the outside of the vehicle.

Making a false declaration of address for registration, licensing, or qualification purposes; blocking the road with a vehicle; driving with a revoked or suspended driver's license.

So, do you want to know in a practical way when your points expire, in addition to checking any fines on your driver's license? Just start using the CNH Digital app to access it on your cell phone! See below how it works.