The driver responsibility assessment is a fee you must pay to DMV over a three-year period if you are convicted of certain traffic offenses in New York State or accumulate 6 or more points on your driving record within 18 months. This fee is in addition to any fines, penalties, or surcharges that you must pay for a traffic conviction. The purpose of the assessment is to prevent the repeated behavior of problem drivers and to improve traffic safety.

You must pay a driver responsibility assessment if

• you were convicted of an alcohol or drugged driving-related traffic offense while driving a motor vehicle, boat, or snowmobile in New York State
• you were found to have refused to take a chemical test for blood alcohol content in New York State
• you received 6 or more points on your NY State driver record within an 18 month period for convictions of traffic offenses committed in New York, Quebec, or Ontario

You must pay the driver responsibility assessment whether you have a driver license issued by New York State, another jurisdiction, or if you do not have a driver license.

Violation date - the date that the incident occurred (the date you received the ticket)

Conviction date - the date you were found guilty of the violation at a traffic court or DMV hearing

Assessment date - the date that DMV enters the violation on your record - DMV uses the date of the original assessment to determine the annual statement dates and to check your driver record for new incidents

Annual statement date - the date that DMV issued your statement

Payment date - a final date that you can pay a driver responsibility assessment to avoid a suspension of your driver license, learner permit, or driving privileges

The amount depends on the type of violation or the total number of points on your driving record.

If you are convicted of an alcohol or drugged driving-related offense or if you refuse to take a chemical test, the annual assessment is $250. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $750.

If you receive 6 points on your driver record for violations committed during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $100. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $300. If you receive more than 6 points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $25 for each point in addition to the original six points. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $75 for each point in addition to the original 6 points.

If you must pay a driver responsibility assessment, DMV will send you a statement with the amount you owe. You must pay at least the minimum amount by the payment date or your driver license, your learner permit, or your driving privileges will be suspended. You can also pay the full assessment. 

The amount you owe may increase if you are convicted of additional offenses after your statement is issued. 

Online

You can pay online using a credit or debit card. You must pay at least the minimum amount or you can pay the full assessment. Your name and address on DMV records must be correct. To change your address, log in or create an account with MyDMV.

You must provide the following:

• The last four digits of your Social Security Number
• Your DMV ID Number (Client ID Number) from your NY State driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card (see where to find information on your driver license), or
• Your full name, date of birth, and gender

If your driver license is suspended because you did not pay an assessment, the suspension will be removed after your payment is processed.

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By Mail

Send the minimum amount on your DRA statement before the payment date to the DRA Processing Center (see below).

You must enclose a check or money order payable to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Starter checks, cash, or credit cards cannot be accepted. Do not include any other DMV fees or fines.

At a DMV Office

Bring a check or money order payable to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for at least the minimum amount on your statement to your local DMV office.

You can check if a suspension has been removed, get information about the status of your license, or check the number of points on your driving record in your  MyDMV account.