Nassau County Driver Point System

How Does New York’s Driver Point System Work?

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) implements a Driver Violation Point System that allows them to identify and take action against high-risk drivers. The DMV assigns point values for certain traffic violations like speeding. Note that you must be convicted of the traffic violation in order to have points added to your driving record.

A driver’s point total is calculated based on the date of the traffic violation (not the conviction), and points accumulated within an 18-month period will be calculated as the total. Be aware that having 11 or more points within 18 months will warrant a period of license suspension. Additionally, if you have 6 or more points on your record within 18 months, you will be required to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee for a period of 3 years. The fee in this context will be an annual assessment of at least $100, as well as an additional $25 per year for every point exceeding the original six.

Points Values for Common Traffic Violations

Some examples of common traffic violations and their associated points values include:

• Speeding
  • 1-10 mph – 3 points
  • 11-20 mph – 4 points
  • 21-30 mph – 6 points
  • 31-40 mph – 8 points
  • > 40 mph – 11 points
• Reckless driving – 5 points
• Improper cell phone use – 5 points
• Texting while driving – 5 points
• Not yielding right-of-way – 3 points
• Failure to signal – 2 points
• Failure to stop for a school bus – 5 points

For further information on specific points values, visit the New York DMV’s page here.

Traffic Offenses Without Point Values

There are certain traffic violations that do not have specified driver’s license points, however. More specifically, the following offenses do not have assigned points values:

• bicycle violations;
• pedestrian violations;
• parking violations;
• 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.

Reach out to an experienced lawyer for legal support if you have been ticketed for the above offenses and have questions about your next steps.