Traffic Ticket Frequently Asked Questions
- What do “points” on my license mean?
- Can my license be suspended based on points alone?
- What is the DMV’s “Driver Responsibility Assessment Program”?
What do “points” on my license mean?
New York State uses a “Driver Point System” to assess various traffic infractions. The more serious the traffic infraction, the higher number of points, and the higher the impact on your driver’s license. Below is a table of some of the most common moving violations in New York State:
| Violation | Points |
| Speeding (1 - 10 MPH over speed limit) | 3 |
| Speeding (11 - 20 MPH over speed limit) | 4 |
| Speeding (21 - 30 MPH over speed limit) | 6 |
| Speeding (31 - 40 MPH over speed limit) | 8 |
| Speeding (over 40 MPH over speed limit) | 11 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Inadequate brakes | 4 |
| Failed to stop for a school bus | 4 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Passing improperly, changing lanes unsafely, driving to the left of center, driving in the wrong direction | 3 |
| Passing improperly, changing lanes unsafely, driving to the left of center, driving in the wrong direction | 3 |
| Failed to obey a traffic signal, a Stop sign, or a Yield sign | 3 |
| Failed to yield the right-of-way | 3 |
| Passenger safety violation, including seat belts, child safety seats, or passengers under the age of 16 | 3 |
| Left the scene of an accident that includes property damage or the injury of a domestic animal | 3 |
| Other moving violations | 2 |
| Inadequate brakes (vehicle of an employer) | 2 |
Can my license be suspended based upon points alone?
If you accrue 11 or more points in an 18-month period, your license may be suspended or revoked. Moreover, a single moving violation may cause your insurance company to increase your rates thereby potentially costing you thousands of dollars over the next several years.
What is the DMV’s “Driver Responsibility Assessment Program”?
New York State has recently implemented the “Driver Responsibility Assessment Program.” This program imposes an additional fine if someone accumulates 6 or more points on his or her driving record in an 18-month period, is convicted of an alcohol or drug-related traffic infraction, or refuses to take a chemical test to assess sobriety.
However, in the vast majority of situations, The Louridas Law Firm can help you avoid these consequences and minimize your potential exposure.