New York's Point System Tracks Moving Violations on Your Driving Record

New York assigns points to your driving record when you are convicted of moving violations. The number of points depends on the violation — a speeding ticket might be 3 points, while reckless driving is 5 points. Points stay on your record for 18 months from the date of conviction, though they can affect your license status before they drop off.

The state uses points to identify unsafe drivers and to trigger license suspension or revocation. You do not have to do anything to get points added — they are added automatically once the court reports your conviction to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV does not send you a notice when points are added, so you have to check your record yourself to know where you stand.

Key Takeaways

  • New York adds points to your record based on the type of moving violation, ranging from 2 points for a minor infraction to 5 points for serious violations like reckless driving.
  • Accumulating 11 or more points in 18 months triggers a mandatory license suspension, and 6 or more points can result in a suspension if the DMV determines you are a threat to public safety.
  • You can check your current point total by viewing your driving record through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
  • Points drop off your record 18 months after the conviction date, but a suspension can last longer and will remain on your record even after points are removed.
  • Taking a defensive driving course can reduce your points by up to 4 points, but only once every 18 months and only if you have not taken one in the past three years.

How Many Points Each Violation Costs

The DMV assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding violations range from 3 to 11 points depending on how much over the limit you were driving — 1 to 10 mph over is 3 points, while 31 mph or more over is 11 points. Reckless driving, aggressive honking, and failure to yield are each 5 points. Improper passing and following too closely are 4 points each.

Minor violations like parking tickets do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations — infractions that happen while the vehicle is in motion — count toward the point total. If you receive a ticket for a violation that occurred in another state, New York will add points to your record based on the equivalent New York violation, not the name used in the other state.

You can view the complete list of violations and their point values on the DMY website under "Point and Insurance Surcharge Information." The list includes violations that occur in New York and violations reported from other states.

When the DMV Suspends Your License Based on Points

Your license is automatically suspended if you accumulate 11 or more points within an 18-month period. The suspension takes effect 30 days after the DMV mails you a notice. During those 30 days, you can still drive legally, but once the suspension begins, you cannot drive at all.

The DMV can also suspend your license if you have 6 or more points and the department determines that you pose a threat to public safety. This is a discretionary suspension, meaning the DMV makes the decision on a case-by-case basis. You will receive written notice before the suspension takes effect, and you have the right to request a hearing to contest it.

A suspension for points typically lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on your driving history and the circumstances. If you are suspended a second time within five years, the suspension period is longer. Once your suspension ends, you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee and pass a vision test before you can drive again.

How to Check Your Point Total

You can view your driving record and current point total through the DMV website at dmv.ny.gov. Click "Check Your Driving Record" and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The record will show all convictions from the past three years and the points associated with each one.

You can also order a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at any DMV office. The mail option takes about two weeks. If you need your record when ready, visit a DMV office — you can view it on the spot or request a printed copy.

Your driving record is private information. Only you, your insurance company, your employer (if you drive for work), and law enforcement can view it without your permission. If you believe there is an error on your record, you can dispute it by contacting the DMV with documentation of the correct information.

Reducing Points Through a Defensive Driving Course

Taking a New York State-approved defensive driving course can reduce your point total by up to 4 points. The course must be at least six hours long and taught by an instructor certified by the DMV. You can take the course online or in person, and most courses can be completed in one or two days.

You can use a defensive driving course to reduce points only once every 18 months, and you cannot have taken one in the previous three years. The reduction applies only to points on your record at the time you complete the course — points added after you finish the course are not affected. If you are currently suspended, you cannot use a course to reduce points until your suspension ends and your license is reinstated.

The cost of a defensive driving course ranges from $20 to $100 depending on the provider. After you complete the course, the provider sends your completion certificate to the DMV, and the point reduction is applied automatically within a few weeks. You do not need to do anything else — the DMV handles the reduction on its own.

What Happens After a Suspension Ends

Once your suspension period ends, you must take action to get your license back. First, pay the $100 reinstatement fee at a DMV office or online. Then, pass a vision test at a DMV office. You cannot renew your license by mail or online while you are suspended — you must appear in person.

If you were suspended for accumulating 11 or more points, you may also be required to take a Department-approved driver safety course before your license is reinstated. The DMV will notify you in writing if this is required. The course is different from a defensive driving course and focuses on safe driving practices and traffic laws.

After your license is reinstated, your points remain on your record for the full 18 months from the conviction date, even though the suspension has ended. This means you can accumulate more points and risk another suspension if you receive additional violations. However, once 18 months have passed since each conviction, those points drop off and no longer count toward your total.

How Points Affect Your Insurance Rates

Insurance companies in New York use points on your driving record to calculate your premium. Each point typically increases your rate, and the increase varies by insurer. A single 3-point violation might raise your premium by 10 to 15 percent, while a 5-point violation could raise it by 25 percent or more.

Insurance surcharges are separate from points and are imposed by the state. If you accumulate 6 or more points in 18 months, the DMV assesses a surcharge of $25 to $100 per year, depending on your point total. This surcharge is in addition to any increase your insurance company applies.

Points and surcharges affect your insurance for years, even after they drop off your DMV record. Insurance companies can use violations from up to three years in the past when calculating rates. This means a violation that is no longer on your DMV record may still be affecting your insurance premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my New York total?

Yes. If you are convicted of a moving violation in another state and you hold a New York license, the DMV will add points to your New York record based on the equivalent New York violation. The points count toward your 18-month total and can trigger a suspension just like violations that occur in New York.

Can I contest a ticket to avoid getting points?

Yes. If you fight a ticket in court and win, the conviction does not go on your record and no points are added. If you lose or plead guilty, points are added. You can also negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a non-moving violation, which carries no points, though this is not always possible.

What is the difference between a point suspension and a safety suspension?

A point suspension is automatic when you reach 11 or more points in 18 months. A safety suspension happens when you have 6 or more points and the DMV decides you are unsafe. Safety suspensions are discretionary and you can request a hearing to contest one. Both suspensions prevent you from driving until they are lifted.

If I move out of New York, do my points follow me?

Your points stay on your New York record regardless of where you live. If you get a New York license again in the future, the points are still there. If you move to another state and get a license there, that state may see your New York record when you explore, depending on the state's policies.

How long does a suspension stay on my record after it ends?

A suspension remains on your driving record permanently, even after it ends. However, the points that caused the suspension drop off after 18 months from the conviction date. The suspension itself does not disappear, but it no longer affects your ability to drive once the suspension period is over.