To keep their license and prevent it from being permanently revoked, drivers must abide by New York’s driving regulations. To stop careless drivers from taking to the streets of New York City, the Traffic Law was modified in 2025.
In 2024, there were 253 traffic-related fatalities in the city, or one every 35 hours, according to the website of the New York City Council.
Two vehicles received more than 500 tickets each, and at least 132 vehicles received 100 or more speed tickets in the same year.
Although cars are widely available in the Big Apple, many locals do not depend on them
Despite being one of the most populated cities in the world, many New Yorkers prefer to travel within the city on bicycles and the subway.
The majority of the population drives, and taxis can be found on all three of the major islands: Staten Island, Manhattan, and Long Island. In comparison, Staten Island has more than 80% of its residents who own a car, while Manhattan has the lowest percentage at about 22%.
According to some studies, 65% of trips in New York City are made by bicycle or foot, indicating a high rate of sustainable transportation.
Despite this, accidents are still common, and the state decided that penalties for speed limit violations, driving while intoxicated, and other infractions should be harsher.
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The DMV in New York City has increased penalties
A new driver point system that raises the penalty for specific infractions was created by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to remove high-risk drivers from the road, the state proposed the changes in 2023. These modifications will take effect as early as February 2026, nearly three years later.
Those who drive carelessly on the streets will face harsher penalties under the new amendments, including eleven points for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The most significant changes are made to areas where there is a greater chance of accidents, such as schools and construction zones. If someone is caught speeding in a construction zone, they will receive eight points, which is the same as if they were passing a school bus that has stopped.
There will be more time for drivers to look for a plea deal
However, the state also wants to lengthen the time frame for counting the points that result in a driver’s license suspension. Currently, your license may be suspended if you receive eleven points in 18 months.
The DMV’s countermove to extend the tacking period is meant to encourage people to seek a plea deal for their tickets. If NYC decides to implement this change, the new time frame will be 24 months.
Adam Rosenblum, a traffic law specialist, was contacted by the website 2 On Your Side to explain the true meaning of the changes and their potential ramifications.
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Rosenblum clarified the changes made by the New York State DMV by stating that an offense that was previously and currently a three-point infraction becomes an eight-point infraction if the offender is only ten miles over the speed limit.
Each infraction is worth the following number of points:
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license, exceeding the speed limit by forty miles per hour, and any driving offense involving alcohol or drugs are all punishable by one point.
- Eight-point infractions include exceeding the posted speed limit by thirty to forty miles per hour, passing a school bus that has stopped, and striking highway structures or bridges.
- Reckless driving, taking part in illegal speed contests or street races, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, and operating a vehicle without a license are among the five-point infractions.
- Speeding 10–20 mph over the posted limit is a 4-point infraction.
- Incorrect passing or failure to yield are three-point violations.
