Depending on the type of NY traffic ticket you received, you can generally pay your ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, or in person. You can also fight your ticket or ask the court to reduce your fine. Remember to respond promptly to your traffic ticket or you can face possible license suspension.
FINES & PENALTIES
Traffic fines in New York are not specified on the ticket as they have a fee range that varies by violation type, driving record and other factors. If you do not pay on time, you will be charged additional late fees. Refer to your traffic ticket to determine your deadlines, and penalties.
New York's Department of Licensing (DOL) operates under a driving record point system. If you receive 11 points on your driving record within a 18 month period then your license is up for suspension.
Some major violations include:
- Reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY ASSESSMENT (DRA) FEE
Point-based surcharge
If you receive 6 or more points within 18 months then you will be subject to the following surcharges:
- 6 points will result in a $100/year surcharge for 3 years ($300 total)
- Each additional point will result in a $25/year surcharge for 3 years ($75 total for each point)
This fee is additional to any ticket and/our court fees.
POINTS FOR VARIOUS TRAFFIC TICKET VIOLATIONS
| Violation | Points |
|---|
| Speeding - MPH over speed limit not indicated | 3 |
| Speeding 1 - 10 MPH over speed limit | 3 |
| Speeding 11 - 20 MPH over speed limit | 4 |
| Speeding 21 - 30 MPH over speed limit | 6 |
| Speeding 31 - 40 MPH over speed limit | 8 |
| Speeding More than 40 MPH over speed limit | 11 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Failed to stop for a school bus | 5 |
| Inadequate brakes | 4 |
| Improper cell phone use | 5 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Passing improperly, changing lanes unsafely, driving to the left of center, driving in the wrong direction | 3 |
| Failed to obey a traffic signal, a stop sign, or a yield sign | 3 |
| Railroad crossing violation | 3 |
| Failed to yield the right-of-way | 3 |
| Passenger safety violation, including seat belt and child safety seat violations for passengers under the age of 16 | 3 |
| Left the scene of an accident that includes property damage or the injury of a domestic animal | 3 |
| Other moving violations | 2 |
| Inadequate brakes (vehicle of an employer) | 2 |
| Use of portable electronic device ("texting") | 5 |
NO-POINT TICKET VIOLATIONS
The following violations will not add any points to your driving record:
- Bicycle violation.
- Pedestrian violation.
- Parking violation.
- Any violation related to unregistered, unlicensed or uninsured operation.
- Any violation related to motor vehicle inspection, vehicle weights or dimensions, or vehicle equipment other than inadequate service brakes.
- Any violation related to a business or the sale of goods established in the Vehicle and Traffic Law or any local law.
- A violation related to the improper use of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes in Suffolk County, between exits 49 and 57 of the Long Island Expressway.
- Any other violation not resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
No-point violations will not affect your insurance premiums.
POINT & INSURANCE REDUCTION PROGRAM (PIRP)
You may take a DMV approved course online or in a traditional class room that refreshes your driving knowledge. Here's a list of approved course sponsors.
- You may be eligible to reduce as many as 4 points on your driving record.
- The course length is a minimum of 5 hours.
- If you are the registered owner of a motor vehicle, you will receive a minimum 10% reduction in the base rate of your vehicle liability insurance premiums each year for 3 years.
- You will be subject to additional course fees.
The PIRP course does not remove the requirement to pay the Driver Responsibility Assessment fee nor reduces the amount.
PENALTY FOR JUNIOR DRIVERS
Your junior permit, or license will be suspended for 60 days if you are convicted of 1 serious traffic violation or 2 other traffic violations. A serious traffic violation is typically a violation that carries 3 or more points.
Your junior's permit or license will be revoked if 1 serious or 2 other traffic violations occur within 6 months after a suspension has been lifted.
MOVING VIOLATIONS
A moving violation occurs whenever a traffic law is violated by a vehicle in motion. Some examples of moving violations are speeding, running a stop sign or red light, and drunk driving. A non-moving violation, by contrast, is usually related to parking or faulty equipment.
RESPONDING TO YOUR TICKET
There are two ways to respond to your traffic ticket:
- Plead guilty and pay the fine. You can pay your New York traffic ticket here.
- Plead not guilty and request a contested hearing
Paying your ticket
Paying a NY traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.
This means:
- You are waiving your right to challenge the traffic ticket in court.
- The traffic violation may cause an increase in your car insurance rates.
Fighting your ticket
If you want to plead not guilty to the ticket you can complete "Section B - Plea of Not Guilty" and mail the ticket to the court. The court will respond with further instructions. You can also use Off The Record to find a lawyer to contest your ticket. Get started now.
Roughly 5% of drivers contest their traffic tickets.
HIRING A TRAFFIC TICKET LAWYER
Fighting your traffic ticket can help you avoid fines, license suspension, and increased insurance premiums. A traffic ticket lawyer is a major asset in that fight. Typically, you can expect an attorney to:
- Handle all the paperwork
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to have your charges dropped or reduced
