Key Takeaways

• Massachusetts tracks violations through the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP), where violations add “surcharge points” that translate to increases on your car insurance premium.
• Point values increase with severity: minor violations add two points, minor at-fault accidents add three, major at-fault accidents add four, and major violations add five.
• Points typically stay on your record for six years, but the “Clean in 3” provision can reduce the time if you avoid new incidents for three years and meet certain requirements.
• Under the SDIP, a clean record qualifies you for the Excellent Driver Discount. Defensive driving courses may also earn you a discount even though they don’t erase existing points.

Massachusetts drivers: Have you ever wondered why your car insurance suddenly went up after a speeding ticket or fender bender? It’s likely because of driving record points. Whether you’ve had a recent violation or you’re trying to keep your record clean, understanding how these points work can help you avoid costly surprises.

What Are Driving Record Points in Massachusetts?

Driving record points (a.k.a. “insurance points” or “surcharge points”) are designed to punish or reward drivers, based on how safely they drive. In Massachusetts, the point system is known as the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP), which is why you might see the term “SDIP points” on your driving record.

Here’s how it works: Each time you receive a traffic violation or cause an at-fault collision, you receive a set number of driving record points. These points translate into percentage-based additions to your Massachusetts car insurance rate. For example: You receive a speeding ticket. Since this offense is considered a “minor traffic violation,” you’ll get two points added to your driving record. Consequently, your annual insurance rate goes up by 30%.

Ouch, right?

How Many Points on a License for Speeding and Other Violations?

Violations, or “surchargeable incidents” according to the RMV, are broken down into four main categories that come with varying point totals. These are:

• Minor Traffic Law Violations — Includes civil violations (e.g., speeding, failing to obey traffic lights, minor criminal violations)
• Minor At-Fault Accidents — Accidents resulting in a claim payment between $1,000 and $5,000
• Major At-Fault Accidents — Accidents resulting in a claim payment greater than $5,000
• Major Traffic Law Violations — Includes criminal violations (e.g., operating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, refusing to pull over for a police officer)

Across the state, drivers commit minor violations more than any other type. You can see the full list of Massachusetts driving fines and traffic law offenses here.

As far as how many points each type of incident is worth, values for each category are as follows:

Minor Traffic Law Violations	Two points
Minor At-Fault Accidents	Three points
Major At-Fault Accidents	Four points
Major Traffic Law Violations	Five points

Your first (minor) traffic violation will not cause you to earn any points. Instead, you’ll be taken to the “neutral” step. For any surchargeable incidents you commit after that, points can begin to accrue.

How Long Do Points Stay on a Massachusetts Driving Record?

Usually, your points hang around for six years from the date you earned them. However, you may be able to deduct points sooner if you avoid adding any new points (major or minor) for the next three years.

The “Clean in 3” provision says the value of your points for each surchargeable incident can be reduced by one point if all of the following conditions apply:

• You have three or fewer offenses in the past five years
• You have at least three years of driving experience
• You haven’t gotten any points in the past three years

Checking Your License Points: How to Request a Driving Record in Mass

In order to see how many points you have on your license, you’ll need to request a copy of your Massachusetts driving record. Before you do, you’ll also need to determine what type of driving record you want a copy of. More than likely, you’ll only need an unattested copy (this is used for personal or informational purposes), but if you’re requesting your driving record for official business (say for court), you’ll need to get your hands on a true and attested copy. As of 2025, the former costs $8 and the latter $20.

No matter which type of record you need, the process for requesting it is the same, whether you choose to do it online or through the mail. You can find more details about the process and required documentation for each method on the “request a driving record” page of the Massachusetts RMV’s website.

How SDIP Affects Insurance Rates in Mass

In the words of the RMV, “the Safe Driver Insurance Plan sets the specific credits and surcharges that an insurance company may apply to your premium.” In other words, it gives insurance companies the option — insurers aren’t required to adhere to the SDIP and can choose to use their own merit ratings — to use the system to help determine what you’ll pay for your auto insurance each month.

Yes, having points on your record can make your premiums go up, but it’s not all negative. The SDIP can also qualify you for certain discounts:

• Excellent Driver Discount Plus: Offered to drivers who have six years of driving experience and no surchargeable incidents over the past six years
• Excellent Driver Discount: Eligible drivers have at least five years of driving experience and no incidents in the past five years

Lowering Your Insurance Rate With Points on Your License

If you’ve made some mistakes on the road and you’re tired of paying for them, there may be ways to reduce your MA car insurance rate. In some cases, raising your deductible can help. Or, you may qualify for an insurance discount. While it won’t remove points from your license, taking a defensive driving course — such as the ones offered by AAA, Safe2Drive, and DriveSafe — may help you secure a discount on your policy.

One thing we wouldn’t recommend: shopping for car insurance online (where you might find a better rate, but only after agreeing to less coverage and not-so-great terms). Instead of shopping online, call our local team of experts at 508.618.5786 or request a quote.

FAQs

Can I appeal an SDIP surcharge or at-fault determination in Massachusetts?

Yes, you can appeal an SDIP surcharge or at-fault accident determination in Massachusetts through the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. If you believe you weren’t at fault or that a violation shouldn’t be surchargeable, you can request a hearing rather than accept the points. Winning an appeal keeps those points off your record and prevents the related premium increase.

Do SDIP points affect my license, or only my insurance?

SDIP points affect your car insurance premium, not your license status directly. Massachusetts doesn’t use a traditional license-points system; instead, the Safe Driver Insurance Plan tracks surchargeable incidents that adjust what you pay for insurance coverage. Serious offenses can still lead to license suspension separately, but the SDIP points themselves are a merit-rating tool for insurance pricing.

How much does a single SDIP point raise my premium?

Each SDIP point generally increases the surchargeable portion of your Massachusetts premium by about 15%. That’s why a two-point speeding ticket can push your annual rate up by roughly 30%. Inexperienced drivers, licensed less than six years, are surcharged at a lower rate per point. The exact dollar impact depends on your coverages and your carrier.

Does a parking ticket count as a surchargeable incident?

A parking ticket doesn’t count as a surchargeable incident under the Safe Driver Insurance Plan, so it won’t add SDIP points or raise your insurance rate. Surcharges apply to moving violations and at-fault accidents, such as speeding or a collision. That said, unpaid parking tickets can block your registration renewal, so it’s still a good idea to settle them promptly.

Will my insurance rate go back down once points fall off my record?

Yes, as SDIP points age off your record, your Massachusetts insurance rate should improve, assuming you don’t add new incidents. Points typically clear after six years, and the “Clean in 3” provision can reduce their value even sooner. Once you’re incident-free long enough, you may also qualify for discounts like the Excellent Driver Discount.