About point reduction

Completing a Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) course does not remove a violation, conviction, or the number of points from your driving record.   Even after you complete the course, most violations, convictions and points will continue to show on your driving record for up to 4 years. Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on your driving record for ten or fifteen years, depending on the violation.  If you get 11 points for traffic violations in an 18-month period, your driver license may be suspended.  "Point reduction" means the number of points on your driving record used to calculate the number of total points received within 18 months will be reduced by 4 points and may help you avoid a suspension. See About the NY State Point System for more information about how points are calculated.

 


How do I receive the point reduction?

The PIRP course sponsor will notify the DMV within 10 weeks after you complete the course.  DMV will then reduce the active points on your driving record by up to 4 points.


How do I know my driving record shows my PIRP course completion?

If you need to verify that your course completion is on your DMV record, you can request a copy of your driving record.

If your course completion is not recorded on your driving record more than 10 weeks after you completed it, contact the course sponsor.


What effect does point reduction have on my license and driving record?

  • Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course completion. It does not affect points for earlier violations, and cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.
  • Point reduction cannot reduce your point total lower than zero.
  • If your license has already been revoked or suspended, the point reduction will not affect that action.

  • If a violation hearing has already been scheduled, the point reduction will not affect that action.
  • Point reduction does not prevent or cancel a mandatory revocation or suspension for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or three speeding violations within 18 months.
  • You can only use a Point & Insurance Reduction Program course to reduce points once in a 18-month period.
  • The DMV point system and your insurance company’s "point" systems are separate and not related. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points assigned by your insurance company for violations and accidents.

Completion of a course under the Point & Insurance Reduction Program also cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting a Driver Responsibility Assessment.

 

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