New York City Traffic Ticket Lawyer

NYC Point System and the Impact of Traffic Violations

New York City follows the Driver Violation Point System, which is administered by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This system assigns points to your driving record for various traffic violations. Accumulating too many points within a certain timespan can result in fines, license suspension, or mandatory defensive driving courses.

Cameras and enforcement officers cover key roads in every borough, so drivers can incur points without interacting directly with law enforcement. Some intersections have speed and red-light cameras working around the clock, so a violation might add points to your record weeks after it happens. We track city data and changes in enforcement, keeping clients informed about penalties and trends that affect drivers in New York City.

Points are assigned based on the severity of the violation.

• If you accumulate 11 points within 18 months, you risk license suspension.
• The 18-month period counts from the violation date, not the conviction date.
• You can reduce your point total by up to 4 points by taking a defensive driving course.

Common Traffic Violations and Their Points

• Speeding:
  • 1-10 mph over the limit – 3 points
  • 11-20 mph over the limit – 4 points
  • 21-30 mph over the limit – 6 points
  • 31-40 mph over the limit – 8 points
  • Over 40 mph – 11 points (license suspension risk)
• Reckless Driving: 5 points
• Failure to Stop for a School Bus: 5 points
• Tailgating (Following Too Closely): 4 points
• Improper Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving: 5 points
• Running a Red Light: 3 points
• Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian: 3 points

The Consequences of Traffic Tickets in New York

The negative effects of a traffic violation are far-reaching and include:

• Fines & Points: Depending on the violation, you could be fined several hundred dollars or even over $1,000. You will also accumulate points on your driver’s license.
• Higher Insurance Rates: The more points you have on your driving record, the higher your auto insurance rates may climb. Insurance premiums in New York City are already high, so extra points can mean substantial financial burden.
• A Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee: This additional fee, mandated by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), applies if you accumulate points or specific traffic convictions within a defined timeframe.
• Potential License Suspension: A suspended driver’s license affects more than your ability to drive. For drivers who operate a taxi, Lyft, or Uber, suspension can put your livelihood at risk. Each ticket increases the risk of suspension.
• Deactivation From Ride Share Apps: Uber, Lyft, Revel, and other rideshare companies have their own policies for driver eligibility. Too many points, or a single “dangerous violation,” can result in permanent removal from these platforms.

The New York State DMV maintains your driving abstract, so convictions from city-issued tickets can affect your driving status statewide. Enforcement strategies shift frequently, especially in high-traffic areas like Midtown and Downtown Manhattan. Our team monitors these changes and adapts our approach to help protect your driving record.