How do safe driving points work?

Everyone should aim to have 5 Safe Driving Points on their record.

Insurance companies determine your rates based on how many safe driving points you have.
You get 1 safe driving point every year you drive without any violations.
You get 5 points for taking a driver improvement clinic.
The maximum number of safe driving points someone can have is 5.

When you are convicted of a traffic violation, the court notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which does the following:

Posts the conviction to your driving record;
Assigns you demerit points according to the severity of the offense;
Issues an order of suspension, if applicable;
Issues an order requiring the successful completion of a driver improvement clinic, if applicable; and
Notifies your insurance company upon request.

Demerit Point Requirements:

If you are convicted of a demerit-point violation (or safety belt and child restraint violation) committed when you were age 18 or 19, you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic.
If you are 18 or older and you accumulate 8 demerit points in 12 months (or 12 points in 24 months), you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about the consequences of violating the law.
If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months (or 18 points in 24 months), you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete the clinic within 90 days.
If you accumulate 18 demerit points in 12 months (or 24 points in 24 months), your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, you must complete a driver improvement clinic before your privilege will be restored. Once your privilege is restored, you will be placed on a six-month probation period.