New York to significantly increase points assessed for certain driving violations, including over-height vehicles and bridge strikes
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) will begin assessing increased point values for certain traffic violations, starting next week.
Starting on February 16, 2026, NYS DMV will begin to administer higher points for certain driving offenses in an effort to “keep persistently dangerous drivers off the roads and protect everyone else who drives, rides, walks, or bikes in communities across the state.”
See below for the new points to be assessed for key violations:
| Offence | Points for Violations Before 2/16/2026 | Points for Violations Beginning 2/16/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Any Alcohol- or Drug-Related Conviction or Incident | 0 | 11 |
| Aggravated Unlicensed Operation | 0 | 11 |
| Overtaking/Passing Stopped School Bus | 5 | 8 |
| Speeding in Construction Zone | Based on speed | 8 |
| Over-height Vehicle/Bridge Strike | 0 | 8 |
| Leaving Scene of a Personal Injury Crash | 3 | 5 |
| Failure to Exercise Due Care | 2 | 5 |
| Facilitating Aggravated Unlicensed Operation | 0 | 5 |
| Speed Contests and Races | 0 | 5 |
“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, will remain as they are, with no additional changes,” officials said.
The NYS DMV will also increase the time frame during which it can take action against a persistent violator from a look-back period of 18 months to 24 months.
“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.”