New York suspends your license when you reach 11 points within 18 months

In New York State, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your total reaches 11 points within any 18-month period, the DMV will suspend your license automatically. This is not a warning or a fine — your license stops being valid, and you cannot legally drive.

The 18-month window is a rolling period. If you get 6 points in January and 5 points in August of the same year, you hit 11 points and suspension happens. If you get 6 points in January and then stay clean until September of the next year, those January points no longer count toward the total because more than 18 months have passed.

The suspension is mandatory. The DMV does not have discretion to waive it or reduce the point total, even if you have an otherwise clean record or extenuating circumstances.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 11 points within 18 months; the DMV sends notice by mail but does not need your permission.
  • Common violations carry different point values: speeding 1–25 mph over the limit is 3 points, 26–40 mph over is 8 points, and reckless driving is 5 points.
  • The 18-month period is rolling, so points drop off the calculation once they reach 18 months old, even if your total is still high.
  • You can request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the suspension, but only if you believe the points were recorded in error.
  • Once suspended, you must wait for the suspension period to end and then pay a reinstatement fee to restore your license.

How points are assigned to different violations

Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. New York assigns points based on how serious the violation is and how much danger it creates on the road.

Speeding violations are the most common. Driving 1 to 10 mph over the speed limit costs 3 points. Driving 11 to 20 mph over costs 4 points. Driving 21 to 30 mph over costs 6 points. Driving 31 to 40 mph over costs 8 points. Driving more than 40 mph over the limit costs 11 points — enough to suspend your license on a single ticket.

Other frequent violations include following too closely (4 points), improper lane change (3 points), failure to yield (3 points), and using a handheld device while driving (5 points). Reckless driving is 5 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is 10 points.

Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment violations, carry no points — only fines. You can check your current point total by visiting the DMV website or calling the DMV at 518-486-4444.

The difference between suspension and revocation

Suspension and revocation are not the same thing, though both mean you cannot drive legally. A suspension is temporary. After the suspension period ends (usually 6 months to 1 year for a point-based suspension), you can pay a reinstatement fee and get your license back.

A revocation is permanent unless the DMV decides to restore your license, which is a separate process. You can be revoked for serious violations like a second DWI conviction within 10 years, or for refusing a breath test. Revocation typically lasts at least one year, and you must petition the DMV to have it lifted.

A point-based suspension — the kind that happens at 11 points — is temporary. The suspension lasts until the end of the month in which your suspension period ends, plus an additional month. For example, if you hit 11 points on March 15, your suspension might last until the end of May or June, depending on when the DMV processes it.

What happens when you receive notice of suspension

The DMV will mail you a notice of suspension to the address on your license. The notice tells you the suspension date, the reason (accumulated points), and the length of the suspension. Read this notice carefully, because it also explains your right to request a hearing.

Your license becomes invalid on the suspension date stated in the notice. Driving after that date is illegal, even if you did not receive the notice or did not open it. The DMV does not call or email — they use mail only.

If you believe the points were recorded in error — for example, if you were not the driver, or if a ticket was dismissed but the points were not removed — you can request a hearing within 30 days of the notice date. You must submit the request in writing to the DMV address listed on the notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points should not have been added to your record.

How to check your current point total

You do not have to wait for a suspension notice to know how many points you have. The DMV makes your driving record public, and you can check it yourself.

Visit the DMV website at dmv.ny.gov and use the "Check Your Driving Record" tool. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The tool shows all violations and points added in the past 37 months.

You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at any DMV office. There is a small fee for a certified copy, but the online version is free. Checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension and whether any tickets were recorded incorrectly.

Steps to take if your license is suspended

Once your suspension begins, you cannot drive legally. Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime and carries its own penalties, including fines and possible jail time.

When your suspension period ends, the DMV will send you a notice. You then have a limited time to pay the reinstatement fee and restore your license. The reinstatement fee in New York is $100 for a point-based suspension. You can pay online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

After you pay the reinstatement fee, your license is restored and you can drive again. However, the points remain on your record for 18 months from the violation date. If you accumulate more points before the old ones fall off, you could face suspension again.

If you are suspended again within three years of your first suspension, the reinstatement fee increases to $250. A third suspension within ten years costs $750 to reinstate.

How points fall off your record

Points do not disappear when ready after 18 months. Instead, they stop counting toward a new suspension once 18 months have passed since the violation date.

For example, if you received a speeding ticket on January 15, 2024, the 3 points from that ticket stop counting on July 15, 2025. If you accumulate 8 more points between January and July 2025, you would hit 11 points and face suspension. But if you stay clean until August 2025, the January points drop off and your total resets.

The points remain visible on your driving record for 37 months (just over three years) from the violation date. After 37 months, they are removed entirely. However, serious violations like DWI convictions stay on your record much longer — typically 10 years or more.

You cannot request early removal of points. The only exception is if a ticket was dismissed or overturned in court. In that case, you should contact the DMV with proof of the dismissal and ask them to remove the points from your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while waiting for my suspension to start?

Yes. Your license remains valid until the suspension date listed in the DMV notice. Once that date arrives, you cannot drive. If you receive the notice on March 1 and the suspension date is April 1, you can still drive during March.

What if I get a ticket while suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that carries its own penalties. In New York, a first offense is a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and possible jail time. Your license suspension will be extended, and you may face additional consequences.

Do points from other states count toward my New York suspension?

No. Only violations recorded in New York count toward the 11-point threshold. However, if you move to New York with an out-of-state license, the DMV may request your driving record from your previous state and factor serious violations into decisions about your New York license.

Can I get my points reduced or removed if I take a defensive driving course?

Taking a defensive driving course does not remove points from your record. However, if you complete an approved course, you may be able to reduce your insurance premiums. Some courts also allow you to take a course in exchange for a ticket dismissal, but that must happen before conviction — not after points are already added.

What is the difference between a point-based suspension and a suspension for other reasons?

A point-based suspension happens automatically at 11 points. Other suspensions happen for reasons like failure to pay child support, failure to pay a traffic fine, or medical reasons (like a seizure). The reinstatement process and fees may differ depending on the reason for suspension.