About the NYS Driver Point System

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





License Violation PointsVIOLATIONPOINTSSpeeding (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
Followed too closely (tailgating) 4
Inadequate brakes (private car) 4
Inadequate Brakes (employer's vehicle) 2
Failed to yield right-of-way 3
Disobeying traffic control signal, STOP sign or YIELD sign 3
Railroad crossing violation 5
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
Improper cell phone use 5
Use of portable electronic device ("texting") 5
Any other moving violation 2



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 of calculating 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

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 the ID number and document number from your most recently issued New 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.

Check my points through MyDMV



1If 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.
2Once 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.