The New York State Driver Point System

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 24 months, your driver license may be suspended. However, the point system is not the only way to lose your license (see Suspensions and Revocations).

If you claim that someone else committed a violation on your record, you can request a hearing. You cannot request a DMV hearing to prove that you were not guilty of the violations.

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 24 months are added to calculate your point total.

Once 24 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.

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.

• Bicycle violations
• Pedestrian violations
• Parking violations
• Any violation related to the unregistered, unlicensed, or uninsured operation
• Violations 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 violation not resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle

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 Canada.

New York State has a reciprocal agreement with Canada. 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 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' to calculate 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