About the New York State Driver Point System

What is the Driver Violation Point System and how does it work?

The Driver Violation Point System gives the New York State DMV a way to identify and take action against high risk drivers.  The DMV assigns points for certain traffic violations. If you get 11 points in an 18-month period, your driver license may be suspended. 1 However, the point system is not the only way to lose your license (see Suspensions and Revocations).


How your point total is calculated

  • you must be convicted of the traffic violation before points are added to your driving record
  • your point total is calculated based on the date of the violation, not the date of the conviction
  • the points for violations that all occurred within the last 18 months are added to calculate your point total 2

 

Number of points assigned for common traffic violations

 

License Violation Points
VIOLATIONPOINTS
Speeding (MPH over posted limit)
1 to 103
11 to 204
21 to 306
31 to 408
Over 4011
Reckless driving5
Failed to stop for school bus5
Improper cell phone use

5

Use of portable electronic device "texting"

5

Railroad crossing violation

5

Failed to yield right-of-way3
Red Light3
Disobeying traffic control signal, STOP sign or YIELD sign3
Improper passing, changing lane unsafely3
Driving left of center, in wrong direction3
Leaving scene of property damage incident3
Child safety restraint violation3
Inadequate Brakes (employer's vehicle)2
Most other moving violation2
Failure to signal2
Improper turn2
Disobeying a traffic control device2
Tinted window0
No seatbelt driver/passenger 16 years or older0
Unregistered0
Unlicensed0
Uninspected0
Faulty equipment0

 

Points are not assigned for the following violations

  • any bicycle violation
  • any pedestrian violation
  • any parking violation
  • any violation related to unregistered, unlicensed or uninsured operation
  • any violation related to motor vehicle inspection, vehicle weights or dimensions or vehicle equipment other than inadequate service brakes 
  • any violation related to a business or the sale of goods established in the Vehicle and Traffic Law or any local law
  • a violation related to the improper use of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes in Suffolk County, between exits 49 and 57 of the Long Island Expressway
  • any other violation not resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle

 

Driver Responsibility Assessment

If you receive 6 or more points on your New York State driving record in 18 months, you must pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee.


Out-of-state convictions

If you are convicted of a traffic violation in another state or country, points are not added to your New York State driving record, unless the violation occurred in Ontario or Quebec.

New York State has a reciprocal agreement with Quebec and Ontario. Traffic violation convictions that occur in these provinces are recorded on your New York State driver record, and the convictions have the same effect and carry the same points as convictions that occur in New York State. This can affect your driver violation point total and Driver Responsibility Assessment.


Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies have their own point systems and can increase your premiums based on your driving record.  Contact your insurance company for more information.


Point and Insurance Reduction Program

Taking a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) course will

  • help to prevent you from losing your license in the event you accrued 11 or more points on your driving record
    • 4 points are 'subtracted' for the purposes of calculating a suspension if you have 11 or more points
    • the tickets/points do not physically come off your driving record
  • save 10 percent on your automobile liability and collision insurance premiums

Learn more about the PIRP course.

 

Check My Points

You use the MyDMV 'My License, Permit or ID' service to check your points.  You will need the ID number and document number from your most recently issued New York State

  • driver license,
  • learner permit, or
  • non-driver ID
If you lost your document, renewed or ordered a new one recently and have not received it in the mail yet, you will need to wait for it to arrive before you can create a MyDMV account.  

Check my points through MyDMV

  1. 1. If you claim that someone else committed a violation on your record, you can request a hearing. But you cannot request a DMV hearing to prove that you were not guilty of the violations.
  2. 2. Once 18 months have passed from the violation date, the points for that violation no longer count toward your total. However, the points remain on your driving record as long as the conviction remains on your record and may be used by your insurance company to increase premiums.