New York Point System
How Many Points to Suspend License in NY?
The New York DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) has a specific point system in place that is meant to regulate drivers who receive too many traffic violations. While certain traffic offenses may result in an immediate driver’s license suspension, other simple traffic tickets will result in a specific number of points being added to a driver’s record. Accumulate enough points in a specific time period and you may face heavy fines or license suspension.
When you are convicted of a traffic offense, part of the penalty is a certain amount of points being placed on your driver's license. When you build up a certain amount of points, your driver's license could be taken away. Within an 18-month period, if you get a total of 11 points, your license could be suspended for a month. This may not sound like a serious penalty, could it could hinder your ability to take care of your family and get to work.
Following are the number of points which the New York DMV may assess for specific moving violations:
- Speeding (3-11 points)
- Driving Recklessly (5 points)
- Tailgating (4 points)
- Failing to Brake Properly (4 points)
- Using Cell Phone or Electronic Device (5 points)
- Child Without Seatbelt (3 points)
- Failing to Change Lanes or Pass Safely (3 points)
- Violating a Traffic Sign (3 points)
- Hit & Run (3 points)
How Long Do Points Stay on Your Driving Record in New York?
In New York, points from a moving violation stay on your driving record for 18 months. However, the violations themselves will continue to show up on your record for up to 4 years. It is essential to know, however, that there are other ways your license could get taken away besides building up 11 points. Although the citation record will remain on your record for up to 3 years, the offense will not count as a point once it has been on your record for 18 months.
Do you have questions about the New York point system? Contact Gannes & Musico, LLP today to learn about how we can help.
How Can I Check the Points on My Driver’s License?
You can check the points on your New York driver’s license by ordering your driving abstract through the DMV’s website or by visiting a DMV office. There may be a small fee for accessing this record. The abstract will show your total points and provide details of any violations that have been recorded against your license.
What Should I Do If I Disagree with the Points Added to My Driving record?
If you believe points were incorrectly added to your driving record, you have the right to contest the violation in court. You’ll need to appear before a traffic court judge, present evidence, and possibly have witnesses testify. It’s recommended to seek legal advice if you plan to challenge the ticket to improve your chances of success.
Will Points from Traffic Violations in Other States Impact My New York License?
For most states, traffic violations will not result in points on your New York license, though the infraction may still appear on your record. However, violations in Ontario and Quebec are treated as if they occurred in New York, meaning points will be added accordingly. Always check with the DMV for specifics on interstate or international traffic violations.
Does Paying a Traffic Ticket Automatically Result in Points on My License?
Yes, paying a traffic ticket in New York is considered an admission of guilt, which will result in the associated points being added to your license. If you wish to avoid points, you must contest the ticket in court. If you plead guilty or fail to contest it, the DMV will apply the points based on the violation.
How Do Points Affect a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in New York?
Drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are held to higher standards in New York. Traffic violations that add points to your record as a CDL holder can lead to more serious consequences than for regular drivers. Multiple violations could result in disqualification from operating commercial vehicles, even for infractions committed in your personal vehicle.
Can I Get Points Taken Off My Driving Record in New York?
After 18 months, points will fall off your driver's license. They will no longer factor into your insurance rates or count toward a license suspension. The New York State DMV assigns points for certain traffic violations.
If you get 11 points in 18 months, your driving license may be suspended. While receiving points may not seem like a big deal, you could lose your license if you get 11 points on your record.
Violating traffic laws could result in two main consequences for the accused: monetary fines and driving record points.
The Point & Insurance Reduction Program
As stated on New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles website, drivers can reduce their points (and insurance rates) by participating in a Defensive Driving Program (DDP). A DDP is a comprehensive driver safety course that tests the knowledge and techniques of drivers.
If a driver completes an approved DDP course, 4 points are ‘subtracted’ from his or her record when calculating a potential suspension. However, it should be noted that the points do not physically come off of the driver’s record; instead, they do not count towards the person’s point total. Additionally, if you received a mandatory license suspension from something like a DUI then this program will not grant you the return of your license.
A DDP course is the only way to ‘remove’ points from your record, but it’s possible to prevent points from going on your record by fighting traffic tickets in court.
How to Get Points Off Your License in NY?
You can complete an online defensive driving course to have the DMV forgive up to four points off your driving record. The points must have been added within the last 18 months.
If you have questions regarding the exact number of points on your license, you can request a copy of your driving record from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Not only do points put your driving privileges at risk, but your insurance premiums could significantly go up.
Understanding the impact that points could have, it makes it clear as to why you need to fight any citation you have been given. Please, do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm to learn how we could help you!
The New York DMV lawyers at Gannes & Musico, LLP are highly experienced in dealing with the New York DMV point system. We understand that these points can have dramatic effects on a person due to increased insurance rates, fines or license suspension. In order to prevent points from accruing on your license, please talk to a member of our team as soon as you receive notice of a traffic violation. With more than 30 years of collective experience and thousands of cases handled, we can capably fight on your behalf.
Need help understanding the New York point system? Contact our New York City traffic point system lawyer today.
