NY Department of Motor Vehicles Overhauls Points System

NY Department of Motor Vehicles Overhauls Points System

Long Island and Nassau County drivers take note. The points on a license in NY will see some significant changes going forward, as explained by the attorneys at Schalk, Ciaccio, & Kahn. These new changes could have a major impact on your driving record. Effective November 6, 2024, the points overhaul is designed to crack down on dangerous driving behaviors and repeat offenders to promote safer roads. Here’s what you need to know.

DMV Points Will Now Last Longer

How long do points stay on your license in NY? Under the new rules, points on a license will remain on your driving record for 24 months instead of the previous 18. This means violations will affect you longer, potentially leading to higher fines, penalties, and insurance premiums. Just racking up minor infractions in a short period can be enough to trigger long-term consequences. Additionally, drivers with six or more points will face an extra fee under the Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (DRAF), increasing the financial burden for repeat offenders.

Points for Previously No-Point Offenses

Several violations that didn’t carry points previously now do. For example:

• Alcohol- and drug-related offenses have always come with hefty penalties through fines and license suspension, but now they will also be assessed 11 points.
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) also comes with a new 11-point assessment, as does any instance of driving with a suspended or revoked license. These 11 points are in addition to any penalties for the traffic stop itself.
• Facilitating Aggravated Unlicensed Operation is now penalized with five points.
• Participation in speed contests or races—already classified as a misdemeanor—now adds five points to a driving record alongside monetary fines and surcharges.
• Over-height violations by commercial truck drivers will incur a hefty eight points and a $450 DRAF, a significant change for a violation that previously had no point assessment.

These updates make it increasingly important to understand the penalties associated with driving violations.

Higher Points for Certain Violations

Violations that were already penalized have become even stricter under the overhauled system. Key changes include:

• Passing a stopped school bus now results in eight points (up from five), alongside a $450 DRAF.
• Speeding in construction zones also carries a penalty of eight points and a $450 DRAF.
• Failure to use due care around pedestrians, bicyclists, or domestic animals has doubled, rising from two points to four points.

These increases reflect a more aggressive stance on behaviors that endanger others on the road.

The Difficulty in Reinstating Driving Privileges

The new rules have also raised the bar for reinstating driving privileges after losing them. Previously, drivers with five or more alcohol- or drug-related convictions were denied re-licensing. That threshold has now dropped to four convictions. This change demonstrates how seriously these offenses are being treated.

Further, drivers accumulating multiple violations within a short timeframe could face hearings to determine potential suspensions. For example:

• Collecting 11 points in 24 months (unless tied to a single drug or alcohol offense).
• Accumulating nine points in 24 months from speeding violations.
• Receiving four points in 12 months after a prior hearing.
• Left to interpretation by law enforcement is the new possibility that any driver receiving three or more-point violations of any amount within an unusually short period could also face a suspension hearing.

The stricter policies aim to directly address patterns of unsafe driving rather than treating offenses as one-off incidents.

How to Check Points on Your License

It’s essential to keep track of the points on your driving record to avoid unintended financial and legal consequences. You can check your points online via the DMV website by creating or logging in to your account. This will show your current tally, along with details of any violations. If you’re worried about an accumulation of points or a pending hearing, it’s a good time to consult with attorneys focusing on traffic law to understand your options. Fighting these charges is your best chance at limiting the potential charges and penalties against you.

Protect Your Driving Record

After drivers in Long Island, NY and Nassau County discover how many points are on their license, it’s essential they seek representation from a firm like Schalk, Ciaccio & Kahn P.C.  if they’re facing stiff penalties or suspension. The recent overhaul of New York’s DMV point system has raised the stakes for drivers. From longer-lasting points to higher penalties for dangerous behavior, it’s critical to drive responsibly but also protect yourself from any charges. Accumulating points not only risks license suspension but can also significantly increase the cost of car insurance. Contact us today for a consultation to safeguard your driving record and financial stability.