New York Traffic Defense

New York overhauled its driver point system on February 16, 2026. Points now follow you for 24 months, several common tickets carry more points than before, and the road to a suspension is shorter than most drivers expect. Here is how the current system works, and where a ticket can be fought.

24Months points stay on record

5Points · phone or texting

$100DRA fee a year for 3 years

The 24-month look-back

Since February 16, 2026, points stay on your record for 24 months from the violation date, not 18. More of your tickets now sit inside the same window at once, which moves drivers toward a suspension faster than the old rules did.

Two suspension tiers

Reach 7 to 10 points in 24 months and the DMV can order a driving improvement clinic. Hit 11 or more and you can face a DMV hearing, then a suspension or revocation. Points attach to the violation date, not the conviction date.

The fees stack

At 6 points in 18 months the Driver Responsibility Assessment adds $100 a year for 3 years, plus $25 a year for each point above 6. That sits on top of court fines and years of higher insurance.