New York suspends your license when you reach 11 points in 18 months
In New York State, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) tracks violations 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 driving becomes illegal.
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 follows. If you get 6 points in January and 5 points in September of the next year (more than 18 months later), those first 6 points no longer count toward the total, and you stay below the threshold.
Points stay on your record for 18 months from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the fine or went to court. A violation from January 2023 stops counting in July 2024, regardless of when you resolved it.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV suspends your license when you accumulate 11 or more points within any 18-month rolling period.
- Points are assigned based on the type of violation — speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 3 points, while reckless driving is 5 points.
- The 18-month window is rolling, meaning old points drop off as time passes, and you can reduce your total by staying violation-free.
- You will receive a notice from the DMV before suspension takes effect, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the record is wrong.
How points are assigned for different violations
Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. New York assigns points based on how serious the DMV considers the offense. Speeding violations range from 3 to 11 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 3 points. Speeding 11 to 20 mph over is 4 points. Speeding 21 to 30 mph over is 6 points. Speeding 31 to 40 mph over is 8 points. Speeding more than 40 mph over the limit is 11 points.
Other common violations carry fixed point values. Failing to stop for a red light or stop sign is 3 points. Improper passing is 3 points. Following too closely is 4 points. Unsafe lane change is 3 points. Driving without a license or with a suspended license is 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points. Reckless driving is 5 points. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is 10 points.
If you receive a ticket, the violation and its point value will be printed on the ticket itself. You can also look up the point value on the DMV website or by calling the DMV directly.
When the DMV sends you notice of suspension
The DMV does not suspend your license the moment you reach 11 points. Instead, the DMV sends you a written notice at the address on file with your license. This notice tells you that you have accumulated 11 or more points and that your license will be suspended on a specific date — usually 30 days after the notice is mailed.
You have the right to request a hearing before that suspension date. The notice will include instructions for requesting a hearing. If you believe the DMV made an error — for example, if a violation was dismissed in court but the DMV's records were not updated — you can request a hearing to present evidence. The hearing is conducted by a DMV administrative judge, not a court.
If you do not request a hearing, or if you request one and the judge upholds the suspension, your license becomes invalid on the date specified in the notice. Driving after that date is a criminal offense, separate from the suspension itself.
How to check your current point total
You can check how many points are on your record through the DMV's website or by visiting a DMV office in person. Online, go to dmv.ny.gov and use the "Check Your Driving Record" tool. You will need your license number and date of birth. The tool shows you every violation on your record, the date of each violation, and the points assigned to each one.
If you see a violation you do not recognize, or if you believe a violation was dismissed but still appears on your record, contact the DMV or the court that handled the case. Dismissed violations should be removed from your record, but the DMV's system does not always update automatically when a court dismisses a case.
Points can be reduced through a defensive driving course
New York allows you to reduce your point total by taking an approved defensive driving course. If you complete the course, the DMV will reduce your point total by 4 points. This reduction happens only once every 18 months, and only if you have not taken a defensive driving course in the past three years.
The course must be approved by the DMV. Many driving schools and online providers offer these courses. The course typically takes 6 to 8 hours and costs between $20 and $100, depending on the provider. After you complete the course, you will receive a certificate. Send that certificate to the DMV, and the points will be removed from your record within a few weeks.
A defensive driving course does not erase violations or fines. It only reduces the points. If you are already suspended, taking a course will not restore your license — you must wait out the suspension period or request a hearing.
What happens after your license is suspended
A suspension in New York is temporary. The length of the suspension depends on how many times you have been suspended before. A first suspension lasts 6 months. A second suspension within 10 years lasts 1 year. A third or subsequent suspension within 10 years lasts 1 year and 6 months.
During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor offense in New York, punishable by fines and possible jail time. If you are caught driving during a suspension, you face separate criminal charges on top of the suspension itself.
When your suspension period ends, your license is automatically restored — you do not need to reapply or pay a fee. However, if you accumulate 11 more points after your license is restored, you will be suspended again.
How to avoid reaching 11 points
The most direct way to avoid suspension is to avoid violations. However, if you do receive a ticket, you have options that may prevent points from being added to your record. In some cases, you can negotiate with the prosecutor to have the violation reduced to a non-moving violation, which carries no points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and other non-moving violations do not add points to your driving record.
If you have already accumulated points and are approaching 11, a defensive driving course can reduce your total by 4 points. This may be enough to keep you below the suspension threshold. You can take a course once every 18 months, so if you are close to suspension, taking a course when ready may prevent it.
If you believe a violation on your record is incorrect — for example, if you were not the driver, or if the ticket was issued in error — you can contest it in traffic court. If the court dismisses the violation, request that the DMV remove it from your record. This takes time, but it can reduce your point total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward New York suspension?
Yes. New York participates in the Driver License Compact, an agreement between states to share violation information. If you receive a violation in another state, that violation and its points will be added to your New York record. The 18-month rolling period applies to all violations, regardless of where they occurred.
Can I get my license back early if I complete a defensive driving course?
No. A defensive driving course reduces points on your record, but it does not shorten a suspension that has already begun. If your license is already suspended, you must wait out the full suspension period. A course may prevent a future suspension if you take it before you reach 11 points.
What if I get a violation while my license is suspended?
Violations received during a suspension are added to your record and count toward future suspensions. If you accumulate 11 more points after your current suspension ends, you will be suspended again. The point system continues to explore even while you are not allowed to drive.
How long does it take for old points to fall off my record?
Points remain on your record for 18 months from the date of the violation. After 18 months, they no longer count toward the 11-point suspension threshold. However, the violation itself stays on your driving record permanently for insurance and other purposes — only the points expire.
Can I request a hearing if I think the DMV made a mistake?
Yes. When the DMV sends you a suspension notice, the notice includes instructions for requesting a hearing. You have the right to present evidence that a violation was dismissed, incorrectly recorded, or assigned the wrong point value. A DMV administrative judge will review your case before the suspension takes effect.