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 Massachusetts, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) operates a Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) which is a point-based system used to assess driver safety. Drivers accumulate 'surcharge points' for traffic violations and at-fault accidents. More serious offenses, such as Operating Under the Influence (OUI), will result in more points and can lead to immediate license suspension or revocation. For instance, a driver who refuses to submit to a chemical test when suspected of OUI will face an automatic license suspension for 180 days to life, depending on prior offenses, under the state's implied consent law. Convictions for OUI also lead to license suspension, with the duration depending on the number of prior offenses. Accumulating a certain number of surcharge points can lead to increased insurance premiums and mandatory driver retraining programs. The specific number of points for each violation and the consequences of accumulating points are detailed in the Massachusetts statutes and regulations.