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Understand The Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

The negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) is what the Department of Motor Vehicles calls its computerized system of tracking and punishing bad driving through points on a driving record. At-fault accidents and minor traffic convictions count as one point; more serious violations such as reckless driving or DUI count as two points. Seat belt and cellphone violations do not carry any points.

For legal representation in a DMV hearing or investigation involving points and the NOTS, contact Beat DMV, a division of the Law Office of Rodney Gould. Call 818-570-6989 or email us to schedule a consultation. We fight to win.

The Fine Print

NOTS is a computer-driven scheme of warning letters and penalties caused by the accumulation of points on a motorist’s driving record. Vehicle Code sections 12810 through 12810.5 specify the convictions that generate points, and those points in turn generate one of four escalating penalties depending on the total number of point accumulated in 12, 24 or 36 months.

Level I Warning Letter

The first NOTS penalty is a simple warning letter, which is sent when a motorist accumulates two points in 12 months, four points in 24 months or six points in 36 months.

Level II Warning Letter

The second NOTS penalty is a notice of intent to suspend, advising the motorist that he or she is on the brink of getting suspended with one more point. This Level II warning letter is sent when a motorist accumulates three points in 12 months, five points in 24 months or seven points in 36 months.

Level III Order Of Probation/Suspension

The third NOTS penalty is an automatic six-month suspension and placement on one year’s probation unless the motorist demands a hearing within 34 days of the date of the order. This Level III warning letter is sent when a motorist accumulates four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months or eight points in 36 months.

Level IV Violation Of NOTS Probation

The final NOTS penalty applies only to motorists who violate a Level III probation by (1) accumulating more points, (2) causing an accident or (3) failing to appear (FTA) in court for a traffic violation. A first or second violation of probation triggers an additional six-month suspension and an additional one year of probation. A third violation of probation triggers a one-year license revocation.

Sources

12810, 12810.5, Vehicle Code Violations used in Negligent Operator Counts.

See Also