New York Toughens Driving Point System Next Week

Lowered suspension threshold and higher point values aim to keep dangerous drivers off the roads

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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New York's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin enforcing a tougher driver point system on Monday, February 16, 2026, lowering the suspension threshold to 10 points over 24 months and assigning 11 points to several serious offenses, including alcohol- or drug-related incidents and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Why it matters

The overhaul aims to keep persistently dangerous drivers off the road by increasing point values for high-risk violations and extending the look-back period for administrative action from 18 to 24 months, which the DMV said would strengthen safety statewide. The agency's analysis predicted the changes could raise safety related suspensions and revocations by about 40 percent, signaling a significant enforcement shift that may also affect insurance costs for drivers who accrue points.

The details

Under the updated rules, a suspension may be triggered at 10 points within 24 months, compared with 11 points in 18 months under the former system, and several violations either gain new point values or increase in severity. Key point changes include: any alcohol- or drug-related conviction or incident (0 to 11 points), aggravated unlicensed operation (0 to 11), speeding in a construction zone (now 8 points, regardless of speed), passing a stopped school bus (5 to 8), over-height vehicle/bridge strike (0 to 8), leaving the scene of a personal injury crash (3 to 5), failure to exercise due care (2 to 5), facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation (0 to 5), and speed contests or races (0 to 5).

  • The new rules take effect on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • DMV offices and services underwent a temporary shutdown from Friday, February 14 at 2 p.m. through Wednesday, February 18 for technology upgrades related to the rollout.
  • Impaired-driving lifetime denial policies were already tightened in January 2025 for those with four alcohol- or drug-related convictions or incidents.

The players

New York State DMV

The state agency responsible for vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and enforcement of traffic laws.

Mark J.F. Schroeder

New York State DMV Commissioner who announced the updated regulations.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Mark J.F. Schroeder, New York State DMV Commissioner (Press release)

“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.”

— Mark J.F. Schroeder, New York State DMV Commissioner (Press release)

What’s next

Local officials and safety advocates said they expect broader enforcement and potential insurance impacts, while public education and court practices could influence how swiftly the higher point values translate into suspensions and deterrence.

The takeaway

The DMV's overhaul of the driver point system aims to improve road safety by getting persistently dangerous drivers off the roads through tougher penalties and a longer look-back period. However, the success of the new rules will depend on effective enforcement, public awareness, and the courts' approach to implementing the higher point values.