What happens when you get points on your New York license

New York tracks traffic violations using a point system. Every time you're convicted of a traffic violation, the state adds points to your driving record. The more serious the violation, the more points you receive. These points stay on your record and affect your insurance rates, your ability to keep your license, and whether you'll face suspension.

The state doesn't send you a notice when points are added — you find out through your insurance company's rate increase or by checking your record yourself. Points accumulate over time, and if you reach 11 points within 18 months, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your license automatically.

Understanding how many points each violation carries, how long they stay on your record, and what happens when you accumulate them helps you know what to expect after a traffic stop and what your options are.

Key Takeaways

  • Most traffic violations in New York carry between 2 and 11 points, with speeding 1–10 mph over the limit worth 3 points and speeding 31+ mph over the limit worth 11 points.
  • Points remain on your driving record for 18 months from the date of conviction, not from the date of the violation.
  • Reaching 11 or more points within 18 months triggers an automatic license suspension by the DMV.
  • You can remove up to 4 points by completing an approved defensive driving course, but only once every 18 months.
  • Insurance companies use points to set your rates, and even one violation can raise your premium significantly.

Point values for common New York traffic violations

The number of points you receive depends on what violation you were convicted of. Speeding violations carry the widest range — from 3 points for going 1–10 mph over the limit to 11 points for going 31 mph or more over the limit. Other common violations include 4 points for following too closely, 4 points for improper passing, 3 points for failure to yield, and 2 points for failure to keep right.

More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 5 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 5 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 6 points for a first offense. Failure to stop for a school bus is 5 points.

Parking violations and equipment violations (like a broken taillight) do not add points to your driving record — only moving violations do. If you're not sure how many points a specific violation carries, you can request your driving record from the DMV or ask the court that handled your case.

How long points stay on your record

Points remain on your New York driving record for 18 months from the date of conviction, not from the date you received the ticket. This is an important distinction. If you were ticketed on January 15 but didn't go to court and get convicted until March 20, the 18-month clock starts on March 20.

After 18 months pass, the points drop off automatically. You don't need to do anything — the DMV removes them. However, the conviction itself stays on your record longer. The conviction appears on your driving history for a longer period, even after the points are gone, and insurance companies can still see it.

If you accumulate points from multiple violations, each one has its own 18-month countdown. For example, if you got a ticket in January and another in April, the January violation's points disappear in July of the following year, but the April violation's points don't disappear until October.

When the DMV suspends your license for too many points

If you accumulate 11 or more points within any 18-month period, the DMV will suspend your license. The suspension is automatic — you don't have to do anything to trigger it, and the DMV doesn't ask for your input. The state sends you a notice in the mail telling you the suspension date and how long it will last.

The length of suspension depends on how many points you have. A suspension for 11 points lasts 30 days. A suspension for 13 points lasts 60 days. A suspension for 16 or more points lasts 6 months. If you accumulate points again after your license is restored, the suspension period gets longer.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you're suspended and need to drive for work or medical reasons, you can request a conditional license from the DMV, though approval is not may provide and depends on your circumstances.

How to reduce or remove points from your record

New York allows you to remove up to 4 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. These courses are offered online and in person by private companies, and they typically take 6 to 8 hours to complete. You can take one course every 18 months, so the maximum you can remove is 4 points per 18 months.

To use a defensive driving course to reduce points, you must take the course before you're convicted of the violation. If you've already been convicted, the course won't remove those points — it only prevents future points from being added. Some people take a course preemptively to have points removed before they accumulate further violations.

The course must be approved by the DMV. The DMV publishes a list of authorized providers on its website. When you complete an approved course, you receive a certificate that you can send to the DMV, and the state will remove 4 points from your record within a few weeks.

There is no other way to remove points from your record. You cannot petition the DMV to remove them, and you cannot have them removed by paying a fine or completing community service. The only options are waiting for them to drop off after 18 months or taking a defensive driving course.

How points affect your insurance rates

Insurance companies use points on your driving record to calculate your premium. Even a single point can raise your rate, and the more points you have, the higher your rate goes. A driver with 3 points might see a 10–15% increase in their annual premium. A driver with 6 points might see a 25–50% increase. The exact increase varies by insurance company and by how serious the violation was.

Some insurance companies also impose a surcharge on top of the rate increase — a flat fee added to your policy for each point. Other companies use a multiplier system where your entire premium is multiplied by a factor based on your points. A few companies are more lenient and don't raise rates for minor violations, but most do.

Points affect your insurance rate for the entire 18 months they're on your record, even if you complete a defensive driving course and remove them from the DMV record. Insurance companies use their own databases and may not update their records when ready when the DMV removes points. Call your insurance company to confirm that they've updated your record after points are removed.

What to do if you receive a traffic ticket in New York

When you receive a ticket, you have the option to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or plead guilty with an explanation. Pleading guilty means you accept the violation and the points. Pleading not guilty means you go to court and contest the ticket. Pleading guilty with an explanation (sometimes called a "plea with mitigation") means you admit to the violation but ask the judge to reduce the fine or points based on your circumstances.

If you plead not guilty, you have the right to a court hearing where you can challenge the ticket. The officer who issued the ticket must appear and testify. If the officer doesn't show up, the ticket is often dismissed. If you go to court and lose, you still have to pay the fine and accept the points.

Some courts offer traffic violation reduction programs where you can plead guilty to a lesser violation with fewer points. For example, you might be able to plead guilty to a non-moving violation instead of a moving violation, which carries no points. These programs vary by court and are not available everywhere, so ask the court clerk whether your court offers one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check how many points are on my license right now?

Yes. You can request your driving record from the DMV online at dmv.ny.gov, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The online option is fastest — you'll receive your record within a few minutes. Your record shows every violation, the date of conviction, and the points for each violation.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my New York suspension?

Yes. New York counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you were convicted of a violation in another state, those points are added to your New York record and count toward the 11-point suspension threshold. However, the point value may differ from what New York would assign to the same violation.

What happens if I get suspended and then get another ticket while suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense. You'll face additional fines, possible jail time, and 6 additional points on your record. When your suspension ends and your license is restored, those new points will count toward another suspension if you accumulate 11 or more points again within 18 months.

If I take a defensive driving course, do I have to tell my insurance company?

You don't have to, but you should. Some insurance companies offer a discount for completing a defensive driving course, separate from the points reduction. Call your insurance company and ask whether they offer a course discount. You'll need to provide your certificate of completion.

Can I get points removed if I was found not guilty?

If you were found not guilty or the ticket was dismissed, no points are added to your record in the first place. There's nothing to remove. Only convictions result in points being added.