Traffic Violations

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

If you are assessed 11 points for traffic convictions in a period of 18 months, you will be called to a New York DMV hearing where the DMV may suspend or revoke your license. Points are assessed according to the date of the offense, not the date of the conviction.  Below are some of the most common violations and related points.

New York DMV Point System

•Speeding (1 to 10 MPH over posted limit): 3 points
•Speeding (11 to 20 MPH over posted limit): 4 points
•Speeding (21 to 30 MPH over posted limit): 6 points
•Speeding (31 to 40 MPH over posted limit): 8 points
•Speeding (more than 40 MPH over posted limit): 11 points
•Reckless driving: 5 points
•Failing to stop for a school bus: 5 points
•Following too closely (tailgating): 4 points
•Inadequate brakes: 4 points
•Inadequate brakes while driving an employer's vehicle: 2 points
•Failing to yield right-of-way: 3 points
•Violation involving a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign: 3 points
•Railroad-crossing violation: 3 points
•Improper passing, unsafe lane change, driving left of center, or driving in wrong direction: 3 points
•Leaving the scene of an incident involving property damage or injury to a domestic animal: 3 points
•Safety restraint violation involving a person under 16 years old: 3 points
•Texting while driving: 5 points
•Improper cell phone use while driving: 5 points
•Any other moving violation: 2 points

Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)

You may have a point removal option to eliminate four points from your record by completing an accident-prevention course approved by the DMV.  Courses include information about traffic safety issues such as driver attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle & Traffic Law.  Each course is at least six hours in duration.

Traffic Violations

Important Facts

1. Completion of a course under the "PIRP" does not remove, delete, subtract, or erase any violation, conviction, or notice of original number of points from your driving record.  Even after you complete the course, most violations, conviction and points assessed will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years. Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on your driving record for ten years. "Point reduction" ONLY means the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license revocation or suspension.

2. Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course completion.  It does not affect points for earlier violations, and cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.

3. Point reduction cannot reduce your point total lower than zero.

4. If your license has already been revoked or suspended, or if a violation hearing has already been scheduled, point reduction will not affect that action.

5. Point reduction does not prevent or cancel a mandatory revocation or suspension for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or three speeding violations within 18 months.

6. Points may be reduced only once in any 18-month period.

7. The DMV point system and insurance company "point" systems are separate and not related. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points assigned by your insurance company for violations and accidents.

8. Completion of a course under the PIRP also cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting a "Driver Responsibility Assessment." The DRA is a fee you must pay to DMV over a three year period if you are convicted of certain traffic offenses in New York State or accumulate 6 or more points on your driving record within 18 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

After I complete the PIRP course, how do I receive the point reduction?
The PIRP sponsor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after you complete the course. A notice will then be entered on your driving record, and the DMV computer will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four points.

After completing the PIRP course, how do I receive the insurance reduction?
The course sponsor should mail you a completion certificate within 45 days after you complete the course. If you present your certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented. If you do not receive your certificate within eight weeks after completion, immediately contact the program sponsor. You may take the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits.

Will the PIRP course prevent my insurance company from raising my premiums?
No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium increases, or premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10% reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

What if more than one person named on a policy completes the PIRP course?
The insurance premium reduction applies to all motor vehicles principally operated by the motorist who completes the course.  The reduction can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.

Will youthful operators and drivers participating in assigned risk pool receive the insurance premium discount?
Yes. Any insured driver who is the principal operator and completes a Point & Insurance Reduction Program course will receive the reduction.


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An attorney can help you to keep your driving privilege.  They can explain options such as traffic school and request and represent you at a hearing before the Motor Vehicle Agency.