DMV: Serious Traffic Violations Will Carry Higher Point Penalties Starting Feb. 16

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says starting on February 16, some of the most serious traffic violations will have an increased point value on your license. The DMV says the changes will strengthen the state’s ability to keep persistently dangerous drivers off of the roads.

The point increases include alcohol and drug related convictions or incidents, excessive speeding and passing school buses. A breakdown of the new point values on offenses can be found below.

In addition to the updated points, the time frame in which DMV can take administrative action against a persistent violator, increases from an 18-month look back to a 24-month look back.

“These updated regulations will have no impact on drivers who follow the rules of the road, but they will have a big impact on dangerous drivers and repeat offenders whose poor choices always put other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk,” said NYS DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Our job is to make sure that New York’s roads are safe for everyone, and if someone chooses to be reckless and unsafe, they do not deserve to be behind the wheel, period.”

The DMV added many existing point assignments, such as the five points for any violation involving a mobile phone or portable electronic device while driving, or zero points for equipment violations, which will remain as they are, with no additional changes.