How Long Do Points Remain on Your New York License?

By Amir

How Long Do Points Stay on Your NY License? (2026 Rules)

In New York, points count toward your total for 24 months from the date of the violation, and 11 points in 24 months can lead to a license suspension. After 24 months they stop counting, but they stay on your driving record as long as the conviction does, and insurers can still use them. A DMV-approved defensive driving (PIRP) course can subtract up to 4 points when the DMV calculates a suspension.

Reviewed by Michael, Professional Driving Instructor
Last updated: October 20, 2026

This guide explains how long points stay on your license in NY, how many points common tickets carry and how to lower your count.

Table of Contents

How Long Do Points Stay on Your NY License? (2026 Rules)

How Long Points Count Toward a Suspension

Points are added to your record only after you are convicted of the ticket. The DMV then counts them from the date of the violation, not the date of the conviction. Points from violations within the last 24 months are added together. Once 24 months have passed since the violation date, those points stop counting toward your total.

How long do points stay on your license in NY: the 24-month rule

How Long Tickets Stay on Your Driving Record

Points that no longer count can still be seen. They stay on your driving record as long as the conviction stays on your record, and your insurance company can use them to raise your premiums. According to the DMV, most violations stay on your record for up to 4 years, while alcohol and drug-related violations stay for 10 or 15 years. To see what is on yours, request your DMV driving record abstract.

NY Points for Common Tickets

These point values come from the DMV point system page.

Violation	Points
Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit	3
Speeding 11 to 20 mph over	4
Speeding 21 to 30 mph over	6
Speeding 31 to 40 mph over	8
Speeding more than 40 mph over	11
Speeding in a work zone	8
Passing a stopped school bus	8
Use of a mobile phone or portable electronic device	5
Reckless driving	5
Railroad crossing violation	5
Following too closely (tailgating)	4
Traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign violation	3
Failing to yield the right-of-way	3
Improper passing or unsafe lane change	3
Any other moving violation	2

Parking tickets, pedestrian and bicycle violations add no points. Read more in our guide to parking tickets in NYC.

NY license points for common traffic tickets

When Points Lead to a Suspension or a Driver Responsibility Assessment

If you get 11 points in 24 months, the DMV may suspend your license. Separately, if you get 6 or more points in 18 months, you must pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee. The point system is not the only reason a license can be suspended, so read any DMV letter carefully.

Looking for road test scoring instead? That is a different system; see the road test point system.

License suspension after 11 points in 24 months in New York

Can a Defensive Driving Course Lower Your Points?

Yes, for the suspension count. When you complete a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) course, up to 4 points from violations in the 18 months before you finish are subtracted when the DMV calculates a suspension. You can use the point reduction once every 18 months. The tickets and points do not physically come off your record.

The course also saves you 10 percent on the base rate of your liability and collision insurance premiums for three years. Drive Rite teaches its own 6-hour defensive driving course. For prices and dates, call our team at 718-928-7048. Learn more in our guide to the defensive driving course (PIRP) for points and insurance.

Drive Rite Instructor Tip: Take the course as soon as you get a ticket, not when you are already close to 11 points. The point reduction only applies to violations in the 18 months before you finish, so waiting can cost you the benefit.

6-hour defensive driving course to reduce NY license points

How to Check Your Points

You can see your points on your DMV driving record abstract. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to check points on your NY license.

License Points FAQ

Do points come off after 18 months or 24 months in NY?

Points stop counting toward your total 24 months after the violation date. They stay on your driving record as long as the conviction does.

Do parking tickets add points?

No. Parking violations do not add points to your license.

Does a defensive driving course remove points from my record?

No. It subtracts up to 4 points when the DMV calculates a suspension, but the tickets and points stay on your record.

Do out-of-state tickets add points?

No, with one exception: convictions in Canada are recorded on your New York record with the same points.

Can I request a hearing to remove points?

Only if you claim that someone else committed the violation on your record. You cannot request a DMV hearing to prove you were not guilty.

How do I check my points?

Request your driving record abstract from the DMV, or follow our guide on how to check your points.

How long points last on your license in New York

In short, points stay on your license in NY for 24 months for suspension purposes and longer on your record. If you are new to driving, driving lesson packages and teen driving lessons help build safe habits from the start.

Lower your points and your insurance

Defensive Driving Course

Questions? Call our team at 718-928-7048 or use the chat on our website.

Reviewed by

Michael, Professional Driving Instructor at Drive Rite Academy.

How we made this guide

We checked the DMV rules in this guide on the official New York pages listed below in October 2026. Rules can change, so check the linked pages before you go. If you spot something out of date, let us know and we will fix it.

Sources: NY DMV, The New York State Driver Point System; NY DMV, Point and Insurance Reduction Program.