ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — Starting in 2026, drivers will have stricter consequences for violations under the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ new point system.
“Convictions and the points that come with them will stay in your life for a longer period of time and it takes less points to be suspended as a driver, ” explained Aaron Pam, Senior Associate at Tully Rinckey.
A person who gets 10 points on their license within a 24-month span, can have their license suspended if they fail to attend a driver improvement clinic. Currently, that can happen over an 18-month period with 11 points on a license.
“The increase from 18 months to 24 months means you even now have a longer period of time to accumulate 10 points, which will not only result in a suspension of your license— but following that, if you are pulled over with a suspended license, you can be subject to arrest so it will lead to an increase number of arrests for driving with a suspended license,” said Pam.
Under the new point system:
-Speeding convictions of 10 mph over the limit will increase from 3 points on a license up to 4 points.
-Driving while using a cellphone without a hands-free device will be 5 points.
-Reckless driving, and passing a stopped school bus will be 5 points.
“Every driver, almost every driver, has insurance coverage through an insurance company and they are also monitoring your points and can raise your insurance rates based on your poor driving record,” said Pam.
New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee stated, “These rules are about keeping repeat offenders accountable and enhancing safety for all drivers on our roads. We all want to get to our destination safe and sound and that’s what these changes are all about.”
