New York Driver's License Points: How They Work

New York State uses the Driver Violation Point System to keep track of and punish dangerous drivers. This is one system where it's not a good thing to rack up points. To learn all about the system and how to reduce your points, check out this handy guide.

How Does the Driver Violation Point System Work in New York State?

The Driver Violation Point SystemTickets About Nys Driver Point System Dmv.ny.gov assigns point values to different traffic violations. If you commit several violations and receive more than 11 points over the span of 18 months, your license can be suspended.

Points only go on your record once you're convicted of the traffic violation. But, they go on your record on the day the incident occurred, not the day of conviction. Eighteen months after a violation, those points no longer count towards your total but remain on your record as long as the violation does. 

Not all traffic violations are created equal. Here's a quick look at how points break down for some of the most common moving violations in New York:

• Speeding 1–10 mph over the limit: 3 points
• Speeding 11–20 mph over the limit: 4 points
• Speeding 21–30 mph over the limit: 6 points
• Speeding 31–40 mph over the limit: 8 points
• Speeding 40+ mph over the limit: 11 points (instant suspension territory)
• Reckless driving: 5 points
• Following too closely (tailgating): 4 points
• Failure to stop for a school bus: 5 points
• Running a red light: 3 points
• Improper cell phone use while driving: 5 points

As you can see, speeding is the fastest way to tank your driving record. A single aggressive speeding violation can nearly wipe out your entire 11-point buffer in one shot. And lowkey, a lot of drivers don't realize how quickly points add up when you combine a couple of tickets in the same year.