Where to check your New York driver's license points
You can check your driver's license points through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, by phone, or in person. The DMV tracks points on your record when you receive traffic violations, and you have the right to see what's recorded about you.
The fastest way is the DMV's online portal at dmv.ny.gov. You'll need your driver's license number and date of birth to log in. If you don't want to use the website, you can call the DMV at 518-402-7100 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time) and speak to someone who can tell you your current point total. You can also visit a DMV office in person and ask a staff member to pull up your record.
Key Takeaways
- New York uses a point system where traffic violations add points to your license, and accumulating too many points can result in suspension.
- You can check your points online through dmv.ny.gov, by phone at 518-402-7100, or by visiting a DMV office in person.
- Most violations stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations remain longer.
- If you reach 11 points within 18 months, the DMV will suspend your license, but you can request a hearing to challenge the suspension.
How New York's point system works
New York assigns points to your driving record based on the type of violation you commit. A speeding ticket might add three points, while a more serious violation like reckless driving could add five or eight points. Minor infractions like parking violations do not add points to your license.
The state tracks these points over time. If your total reaches 11 points within an 18-month period, the DMV will send you a notice that your license will be suspended. This suspension is not automatic — you have the right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, and you can present evidence or argue that the points should not count toward suspension.
What violations cost how many points
Common traffic violations in New York carry these point values:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1–10 mph over limit) | 3 |
| Speeding (11–20 mph over limit) | 4 |
| Speeding (21–30 mph over limit) | 6 |
| Speeding (31+ mph over limit) | 8 |
| Failure to yield | 3 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Improper lane change | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Aggressive honking or flashing lights | 3 |
If you receive a ticket, the violation and its point value will be listed on the ticket itself. You can also ask the officer or look up the violation code on the DMV website to confirm how many points it carries.
How long violations stay on your record
Most traffic violations in New York remain on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. This means that if you were convicted of a speeding ticket on January 15, 2022, those points would drop off your record on January 15, 2025.
Some more serious violations stay on your record longer. A conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving with a suspended license stays for 10 years. If you have multiple violations, the DMV counts all points that are still within their retention period, so an older violation that is about to age off may still affect your total.
What happens if you reach 11 points
When your record reaches 11 points within 18 months, the DMV will mail you a notice of suspension. The notice will tell you when your suspension will begin — usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. You have the right to request a hearing before that date.
To request a hearing, you must respond to the notice in writing within 10 days. You can argue that the points should not count (for example, if you were not the driver, or if the conviction was later overturned), or you can ask the hearing officer to consider your driving history and circumstances. If you do not request a hearing, your license will be suspended on the date stated in the notice.
A suspension means you cannot legally drive in New York or most other states. You will need to surrender your license to the DMV, and you cannot get it back until the suspension period ends and you pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 for a standard suspension).
How to reduce points through a defensive driving course
New York allows you to reduce points on your record by taking an approved defensive driving course. If you complete the course, the DMV will reduce your total by up to four points. You can use this reduction once every 18 months.
The course must be approved by the DMV — not all driving schools offer approved courses, so check the DMV website for a list of providers in your area. The course is usually four hours long and costs between $20 and $50, though prices vary by provider. You cannot take the course if you have already used your reduction in the past 18 months, or if you are currently under suspension.
Understanding your DMV record printout
When you check your points online or request a record from the DMV, you will see a list of all violations on your record, the date of each violation, the conviction date, the number of points assigned, and the date the violation will drop off your record. The printout will also show your current total points.
If you see a violation on your record that you believe is wrong — for example, if you were not the driver, or if you paid a ticket and it should have been dismissed — you can request that the DMV investigate. You will need to provide evidence, such as a court document showing the conviction was overturned or a statement from the actual driver. Contact the DMV in writing with your driver's license number and details of the error.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check my points online?
The DMV website shows your current points when ready once you log in with your license number and date of birth. If you call the DMV, a representative can tell you your points in a few minutes, though wait times vary depending on call volume.
Will checking my points affect my license or insurance?
No. Checking your own driving record does not affect your license status or your insurance rates. Your insurance company may check your record when you renew your policy, but that is their action, not yours.
What if I was convicted but I think the ticket was unfair?
If you believe a conviction was wrong, you can file a motion to vacate in traffic court. You will need to do this before the conviction is final. Once a conviction is final, the points count toward your total. If you reach 11 points and request a hearing before suspension, you can present evidence that a conviction should be overturned, but the hearing officer may refer you back to traffic court to handle that issue.
Can I check someone else's points?
No. The DMV will only release driving record information to the driver themselves, their attorney, or someone with a court order. You cannot check your spouse's or child's points without their permission and involvement.
Do points from other states count toward my New York suspension?
New York has a reciprocal agreement with other states through the Driver License Compact. Violations you receive in other states are reported to New York and added to your New York record, so they do count toward the 11-point suspension threshold.