NEW YORK DMV POINTS GUIDE

Jeffrey T. Croker, Esq.

Representing New York Drivers for Over 22+ Years.

Thousands of New York Traffic Matters Handled.

Responding to traffic ticket inquiries within minutes during business hours.

‍If you received a New York traffic ticket, one of the most important questions is:

How many points will this put on my license?

New York’s DMV point system changed in 2026, and drivers should be careful before simply pleading guilty. A conviction can affect your license, create DMV fees, and potentially increase your insurance premiums.

Jeffrey T. Croker, Esq. is a New York traffic ticket lawyer with more than 22 years of legal experience and thousands of traffic matters handled throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York City TVB courts, and Long Island village courts.

How New York DMV Points Work

The New York DMV assigns points for certain traffic violations. Points are not added just because a ticket was issued. You must first be convicted of the violation.

For DMV point calculation purposes, your point total is based on the date of the violation, not the date of conviction. DMV now adds together points from violations that occurred within the last 24 months to determine your point total for possible suspension purposes. Once 24 months pass from the violation date, those points no longer count toward your active DMV point total, although the conviction can remain on your driving record.

How Many Points Can Suspend Your License in New York?

As of the updated DMV rules, if you receive 1o points within a 24-month period, your New York driver license may be suspended.

This is one of the most important changes for New York drivers. The old 18-month suspension lookback has been expanded to 24 months for DMV administrative action against persistent violators.

That means older tickets can remain relevant longer than many drivers expect.

To have your ticket reviewed promptly please click below:

Common New York DMV Point Values

Speeding, MPH not specified

3 points

Speeding 1-10 mph over

3 points

Speeding 11-20 mph over

4 points

Speeding 21-30 mph over

6 points

Speeding 31-40 mph over

8 points

Speeding more than 40 mph over

11 points

Speeding in a work zone

8 points

Cell phone or portable electronic device

5 points

Reckless driving

5 points

Passing a stopped school bus

8 points

Following too closely / tailgating

4 points

Unsafe lane change / improper passing

3 points

Red light, stop sign, or yield sign violation

3 points

Failure to yield right-of-way

3 points

Railroad crossing violation

5 points

Leaving scene of personal injury accident

5 points

Failure to exercise due care

5 points

Any other moving violation

2 pointa

The DMV updated several point values effective February 16, 2026, including increased points for alcohol- or drug-related driving incidents, aggravated unlicensed operation, passing a stopped school bus, construction-zone speeding, bridge strikes, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, failure to exercise due care, and speed contests.

Driver Responsibility Assessment

New York’s Driver Responsibility Assessment is separate from court fines and surcharges.

DMV states that if you receive 6 or more points on your New York driving record within 18 months, you must pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee.

This is important because the suspension lookback is now 24 months, but DMV still describes the Driver Responsibility Assessment trigger as 6 or more points within 18 months.

Do Points Disappear After 24 Months?

For DMV point-total purposes, points from a violation no longer count toward your active total once 24 months have passed from the violation date. However, that does not mean the conviction disappears from your record.

DMV states that points remain on your driving record as long as the conviction remains on your record, and insurance companies may use your driving record to increase premiums.

Does the Conviction Date Matter?

Yes and no.

For DMV point accumulation, the key date is the violation date, not the conviction date. But the conviction date can still matter because a conviction is what places the violation on your record and may be reviewed by an insurance company.

This is why it is usually a mistake to plead guilty without understanding the consequences.

Do Out-of-State Tickets Count?

Most out-of-state traffic convictions do not add points to your New York driving record. DMV says points are generally not added for convictions in other states or countries unless the violation occurred in Canada. New York has a reciprocal agreement with Ontario and Quebec, and those convictions can appear on a New York record and affect your point total.

Point and Insurance Reduction Program

A New York DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course may help in two ways.

First, it can reduce by up to 4 points the number of points used to calculate a DMV suspension. Second, it can reduce the base rate of automobile liability and collision insurance premiums by 10% each year for three years.

However, the course does not remove the violation, conviction, or points from your driving record. It also does not eliminate Driver Responsibility Assessment fees, prevent mandatory suspensions, or reduce insurance company points.

Why Fighting a Ticket May Matter

A traffic ticket can cost far more than the fine. Depending on the violation and your record, a conviction may result in:

DMV points
License suspension risk
Driver Responsibility Assessment fees
Higher insurance premiums
A visible conviction on your driving record
Problems for commercial drivers or drivers with prior violations

Before pleading guilty, it is worth reviewing whether the charge can be dismissed, reduced, or otherwise resolved in a way that limits the long-term consequences.

Free Ticket Review

If you received a New York traffic ticket, contact Jeffrey T. Croker, Esq. for a free ticket review. The sooner your ticket is reviewed, the more options may be available.

Why choose Jeffrey T. Croker, Esq.?

• Over 22 years representing New York drivers

• Thousands of New York traffic matters handled

• Flat-fee representation

• Fast responses during business hours

• Representation in Nassau County, Suffolk County, NYC Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB), and Long Island Village Courts

• In many cases, clients do not need to appear in court

Text or Email a photo of your ticket or Call Now for a prompt attorney review and flat-fee quote.

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Dismissed!

"The definition of a great lawyer. Top tier result!"

— Akram D.

Helping drivers throughout Nassau,‍ ‍Suffolk, NYC TVB, and Village Courts.

Text or upload a photo of your ticket to (631) 825-TIXX or call now for a fast review.

Deadlines apply — the sooner you act, the more options may be available.

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Dismissed – Queens South Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)

— Vinny C.

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No Points – Nassau County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency

— Lily R.

Why Drivers Choose Jeffrey T. Croker, Esq.:

✓ 22 Years Experience

✓ Thousands of New York Traffic Cases Handled

✓ Flat Fees

✓ Fast Response Times

✓ Most Cases Handled Without Driver Appearance

✓ Nassau,Suffolk, NYC TVB & Village Courts

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No Points – Suffolk County Traffic Court

— Michelle T.

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Dismissed – Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)

— Tom T.

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Points Eliminated – Nassau County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency

— Val N.

Flat-Fee Traffic Defense for Nassau, Suffolk, NYC (TVB), and Long Island Village Courts.

How It Works

1. Text or upload a photo of your ticket to us.

2. We review your ticket and confirm whether we can handle the matter.

3. If appropriate, you receive a flat-fee quote and retainer agreement.

4. Once retained, we handle the court process where permitted.

5. Most tickets can be handled without the driver appearing in court, depending on the venue.

Traffic Enforcement in New York

New York has recently tightened enforcement and increased point penalties for certain violations. Points can significantly impact insurance premiums and may lead to license suspension.

Addressing a ticket early may give you more options.

We Handle

• Speeding violations‍ ‍

• Cell Phone and Electronic Device violations

• Red light, Stop Sign, and Failure to Yield violations

• HOV, Lane Change, and Failure to Signal violations‍ ‍

• Other moving violations

• Nassau County TPVA‍ ‍

• Suffolk County TPVA‍ ‍

• NYC Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)

• Long Island Village Courts