New York DMV Points System
Scoring points is great when playing basketball or a video game. Receiving points on a driving record is another story. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) assigns points to different traffic violations. If a motorist is found guilty of one of these violations, the DMV will issue points on his or her license.
Most people receive a traffic ticket at some time in their life. However, if a motorist receives too many tickets, the DMV can suspend or revoke his or her driving privileges. The motorist may also be subject to a $100 driver responsibility fee for three years if he or she accumulates six points or more in an 18-month period.
The New York State DMV can suspend or revoke a motorist’s license for 31 days if he or she receives 11 points or more in an 18-month period. Please note that the DMV looks at the date of the offense rather than the date of the traffic violation conviction.
Speeding
The points for a speeding violation are based on how many miles per hour the motorist was driving over the posted speed limit.
The points are as follows.
Speeding 1-10 MPH over the limit is 3 points
Speeding 11-20 MPH over the limit is 4 points
Speeding 21-30 MPH over the limit is 6 points
Speeding 31-40 MPH over the limit is 8 points
Speeding more than 40 MPH over the limit is 11 points
Moving Violations
There are many other moving violations that can result in points on a motorist’s driver’s license.
5 Point Violations
Reckless driving
Failing to stop for a school bus
4 Point Violations
Following another vehicle too closely
Inadequate brakes
3 Point Violations
Failing to yield right-of-way
Failing to obey a traffic signal or sign
Leaving the scene of an accident that caused property damage or injury to a pet
Safety restraint violation involving a minor under 16 years old
Unsafe lane change
Improper passing
Driving over the center line
Driving in the wrong direction
Other moving violations count as 2 points.
In spite of this list, however, there are variations and exceptions to the application of the points system. For example, inadequate brakes may result in 4 points assigned to a motorist’s license; however, driving an employer’s vehicle with inadequate brakes may lead to only 2 points on a motorist’s license. The DMV may also suspend a motorist’s license outside of the points system classification. For example, a motorist may lose his or her driving privileges if he or she commits three speeding violations within an 18-month period, even if he or she has less than 11 points on his or her record.
A traffic violation conviction will stay on a motorist’s record for three years. The points, however, are removed from his or her driving record 18 months after the date of the offense. A motorist may also proactively remove four points from his or her license by completing a DMV-approved accident prevention course.
If your points have caught up with you, it is time to contact me, Dennis Nave and my team of attorneys at DWI Team DWI Defense Attorneys. This law firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of New York drivers. Our dedicated and experienced attorneys will work with you to avoid a license suspension or revocation.
