New York has shaken up its DMV point system, and if you’ve ever watched your record the way some people watch the weather, this is worth knowing.
How it Used to Work Every traffic violation came with a set number of points, and those points stacked up like unwanted souvenirs. Too many, and you were looking at higher insurance rates… or the DMV taking your license on an involuntary vacation.
A few familiar examples:
- Speeding? Anywhere from 3 to 11 points, depending on how heavy your right foot was
- Reckless driving? 5 points—a real wallop
- Blowing through a red light? 3 points
- Fake or invalid license/registration? At least 2 points
Points hung around for 18 months, but the insurance sting could linger much longer.
What’s Changing Under the New System
New York tweaked the rules to add more bite to dangerous behavior and nudge everyone toward safer habits.
- Speeding up to 10 mph over the limit goes from 3 points to 4.
- Using a cell phone while driving increases to 6 points.
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian jumps from 3 points to 5.
- Reckless driving goes up to 8 points from 5.
- Speeding in a construction zone adds more points for even small overages.
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There are new violations that will be added too.
- Equipment problems such as broken tail lights or bad headlights 1 point.
- Illegal U-turns 2 points.
- Obstructing traffic 2 points.
- Failure to move over for emergency vehicles 3 points.
Knocking Points Off
Drivers can take approved traffic safety courses to knock points off their record—like giving their driving history a small tune-up…