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
| VIOLATION | POINTS |
|---|---|
| Speeding (MPH over posted limit) | |
| 1 to 10 | 3 |
| 11 to 20 | 4 |
| 21 to 30 | 6 |
| 31 to 40 | 8 |
| Over 40 | 11 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Failed to stop for school bus | 5 |
| Improper cell phone use | 5 |
| Use of portable electronic device "texting" | 5 |
| Railroad crossing violation | 5 |
| Failed to yield right-of-way | 3 |
| Red Light | 3 |
| Disobeying traffic control signal, STOP sign or YIELD sign | 3 |
| Improper passing, changing lane unsafely | 3 |
| Driving left of center, in wrong direction | 3 |
| Leaving scene of property damage incident | 3 |
| Child safety restraint violation | 3 |
| Inadequate Brakes (employer's vehicle) | 2 |
| Most other moving violation | 2 |
| Failure to signal | 2 |
| Improper turn | 2 |
| Disobeying a traffic control device | 2 |
| Tinted window | 0 |
| No seatbelt driver/passenger 16 years or older | 0 |
| Unregistered | 0 |
| Unlicensed | 0 |
| Uninspected | 0 |
| Faulty equipment | 0 |
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 ofcalculatinga suspension if you have 11 or more points
- the tickets/pointsdo notphysically 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 theID numberanddocument numberfrom yourmost recently issuedNew 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.
- 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. 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.
