How Long Does A NY Traffic Ticket Stay On My Driving Record?

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record? In this post, we will discuss how long accidents, traffic ticket convictions, and suspensions and revocations remain on a driver record.

  • A traffic ticket conviction or an accident normally remains on a standard driver record during the year that the conviction or the accident occurred, and for the following 5-6 calendar years.  It remains on your expanded record forever.
    (Note: The DMV uses the date when the offense occurred, not the date of conviction in calculating total points on your license within an 18-month period.  Further, for insurance purposes, a conviction remains on your record for 36 months from the date of conviction.
  • Please note that the above is different for how long points last.  Points on your record only count for DMV purposes for 18 months from the date of offense, and a conviction counts for insurance purposes for 36 months from the date of conviction. These two periods, of course, are different than the period of how long the conviction actually appears on your standard driving abstract.
  • A conviction that is alcohol-related or is for driving while impaired by drugs (for example, DWI or DWAI) can affect your for, at least, 10 years. If a driver is convicted of the same violation during that 10 years, the driver can receive additional penalties.
  • There are other convictions and accidents of a serious type that can remain on a standard driver record for more than 10 years.
  • A suspension or a revocation of a driver license that remains un-cleared can be found on a standard driver record indefinitely.
  • If the suspension is for a drug-related offense arising out of Penal Law section 220 or 221, the suspension remains on a standard driver record for 5-6 years from the date the suspension is terminated.
  • A suspension or a revocation that was cleared or terminated remains on a standard driver record for 5-6 years from the date the suspension or revocation was terminated. (Note: The DMV uses the year when the suspension or the revocation was cleared or terminated, not the year when the suspension or the revocation began.)

If you need a copy of your driving record, you can get it from DMV or we can obtain it for a small fee.

Did this answer your questions of how long do points stay on drivers license in NY? If you still have more questions related to how long a speeding ticket will stay on your record or how many points to suspend a license in NY? Contact our office today and let us help you with legal guidance. how long do points stay on drivers license in ny

 

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278 Comments. Leave new

  • What do companies check when hiring for a driving related job?
    For example it’s been more than 18 months since I got a ticket for turning left when there was a “no turn left” sign(paid for it 20 months ago)… But it’s still not been 4 years for it to disappear from my record from what you said… Will they check to see if I have tickets from the past 4 years or if I have points from the past 18 months? Let’s say the company like Wholefood…
    Thank you in advanced

    Reply
    • Cristian,

      Your record contains convictions for, at least, the past 5 years. Therefore, it is not surprising that you 4-year old case still appears on it.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I got a DUI in 2009 and my insurance was raised for 5 years. I then got a speeding ticket in a school zone in 2012 which has since fallen off my driver abstract but also caused an increase in my insurance. I have been paying over $1,000 for a 6 month insurance policy since the DUI. Now that my abstract has nothing but the DUI on it, I am still being quoted over $500 for a 6 month policy while I have friends paying under $200. When will I EVER receive insurance at a reasonable cost?

    Reply
    • Adam Giglia,

      Have you asked your insurance company? Perhaps, you want to get other quotes.

      Good luck!

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
    • I was paying 173$ with geico, 8 points on my lic later and Im now paying 586! I got it down to 486 by increasing my deductible and applying for renters insurance. It will be this way until April 2019 for me.

      Reply
  • Fred Williams
    April 18, 2016 8:58 am

    Hello. On Dec 11, 2012 I received two moving violation, one speeding and failure to sign with a total of 8pts. On July 10th ,2015 I was convicted for both tickets and received the points. How much time left do I have with the points since the incident happened over 3 yrs ago? Will the points come off this year or another 18months or 3yrs later?

    Reply
    • Fred Williams,

      These points do not count anymore vis-a-vis any future tickets that you may receive. The points for these tickets counted against you from December 11, 2012 through July 10, 2014. These convictions will no longer appear on your driving abstract until around 2018.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • George Meintassis
    April 8, 2016 3:41 pm

    Hi Matthew, I just got my TLC license. I have a New York DMV license since November 2013. The insurance company is asking for my Florida abstract, which I had four violations one in 2012 for speed and another 3 violations in 2013 the latest one was June 2013. (I had a lawyer in all cases and I don’t have any points) Is my insurance going to be more expensive after I show them the abstract. Can they do that? Thank you in advance for your advice.

    Reply
  • Fernando Gomez
    April 4, 2016 11:15 am

    Hello Matthew , I have a question , iam trying to apply to drive a bus and in my record I have suspention for unpaid tickets but in my abstract appears clear on 2013-2012 why steal appears in my abstract ?

    Reply
    • Fernando Gomez,

      Convictions and suspensions remain visible on your driving record for around 5 years. Therefore, these items should drop off in the near future.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I was found guilty in 3/1/2016 and I have 13 points on my license (NYC). I want to know when will it all come off So I can start driving for a truck company or taxi.

    Reply
    • C,

      DMV points no longer count after 18 months from the date of offense. However, the convictions will continue to appear on your driving abstract for roughy 5 years.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hi Matthew,

    I have eight Manhattan tickets that total 25 points. One is for illegally using a cell phone, one is for disobeying a traffic sign, one is for an improper turn and the last one is for failing to yield the right of way. I received all of these traffic tickets within 3 or 4 months.

    Will I be suspended?

    Reply
  • Hello Matthew.

    I have a New York State Class A CDL. During a road trip (using my personal vehicle) On March 8th in the state of Georgia I received a speeding ticket for going 11 over the speed limit (81 in a 70) and a “careless driving” ticket in the state of Florida because of a minor fender bender accident.

    I just downloaded my DMV abstract report today and I see that my record is squeaky clean. Is this because I paid the fee very quickly?

    I am moving to the state of Florida next month and would like to know if future potential employers will be able to see either one of these moving violations in my driving record. Should I be concerned? Please help.

    Also, when I looked at both citations from both out of state tickets they didn’t check the box saying I had a CDL.

    When I move to Florida do I have to get a Florida Driver License? If I do will both of these out of state moving violations be kept off my record? Will the Florida ticket be now on my record since I live in the state of Florida at that time?

    Reply
    • John,

      The Florida and Georgia convictions would likely not appear on your NY driving record because convictions from those states do not transfer onto your NY license as points.

      When you move to Florida and get a FL license, your FL conviction will likely appear on your FL license (as well as the GA one) as FL does treat out-of-state convictions as if they occurred in FL.

      The failure to check the CDL box does not render the tickets fatally defective (at least in NY so I assume in FL and GA is the same rule).

      When you move to Florida, the law does state that, as a Fl resident, you need to surrender your out-of-state license and get a FL one.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Matthew, I got 2 speeding tickets 6pts and 8 pts back in 07/14 and 01/15. I have been successfully postponing them till 9/16 and 10/16. Hopefully, at least one cop won’t show up, or I will be able to get rid of at least one of them in the court. However, if i am convicted of both, am I still facing suspension? it will be over 18 months, since violations in the fall of ’16? Defensive driving course is no longer an option. thank you.
    PS, I just got another one in upstate, and was able to plea bargain to a 2 pt “disobeyed traffic device”.

    Reply
    • Vic,

      If you lose both of these cases, then you would have 14 total points and, thus, face a suspension (regardless of the length of time since you were issued these tickets).

      I’m not sure why you are not eligible to take the NYS Driver Safety Class again but I would check that out again to make sure you’re right about that.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hector Mercedes
    March 23, 2016 10:35 am

    Hello Matthew is there anyway I can send you my abstract so that you can help me make sense of it?

    Reply
  • Hello Mathhew ,
    Question, if a nyc moving violation with a not not guilty plea is lowered to no points but still have to pay a fine, will that show on a dmv abstract ?

    Reply
    • Jose,

      The original charge will never appear on your abstract if you plead guilty to a lesser charge. The lesser charge will only appear on your abstract if the reduction is to a vehicle and a traffic law violation.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Amar Persaud
    March 18, 2016 4:24 pm

    Hey there, so recently a lawyer lost my case for a ticket I got in January of 2015. It was a speeding ticket for 8 points on my license. I paid the fine 2016 March, but I just got more fees to pay for the Assesment fee. I’m curious why it wants me to pay 450 in one shot or 150 for three years. Shouldn’t it be 150 for one year, and that’s it? Unless I’m not understanding this. Please help. – Amar

    Reply
    • Amar Persaud,

      The Driver Assessment Fee for 8 points is $450. The State of New York is “nice” in that it allows you to pay that fee in three installments over three years.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hi Matt,

    I received a speeding ticket in October for going 61 in a 30 and got it down in court to 34 in a 30. How long will those 3 points and the incident stay on my record when my license gets checked by an officer? And what speed would it say I was going?

    I don’t drive recklessly anymore.

    Thank you
    -Jake

    Reply
    • Jake,

      The points count for DMV purposes for 18 months from the date of the offense. The conviction of speeding 34/30 mph, however, will remain visible on your record for 5 roughly years.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hi,

    I got two speeding tickets in January 2013 and was just convicted guilty. More than three years later. I got a letter from the Dmv that I have to pay the three year assessment fee since it’s a total of 10 points. I thought the points only effect insurance purposes since it is more than 18 months past the violation date.

    Reply
  • I received 2 electronic device tickets 3 months apart. They are both 5 points. I stopped the phone from sliding across the dashboard while turning…anyway..I live in queens where there are no pleas..I hear for electronic devices conviction rate is 90+% . Is it even worth fighting? Is there anyway to get out of it? Also 2nd question ..it’s been 12 days and I don’t see the ticket on the website ..would it take this long? Or do I have a chance it got disregarded? If it doesn’t show up on the site does that mean I shouldn’t follow up and maybe it won’t get processed? Or should I follow up with the chance that they enter the ticket when I mention it to them..thanks

    Reply
    • Andrew g,

      Given that you potentially will get 10 points, you should still try and fight these two tickets. You have a chance, although it is not a good chance. In regard to the DMV website, you MUST follow up. Most NYC tickets “hit” the system in 14 to 20 days.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I received a speeding ticket yesterday if I pay the fine and attend traffic safety school will the conviction go off my record? And how long?

    Reply
  • I got a ticket in 2007, for speeding in a work zone. How come it is still showing up on my driving record in 2016? – and why are the points still there?

    Thank you.

    Reply
  • Matthew thank you for the response. Yes I did get a speeding ticket the same year. However my question is, is it normal that the assessment comes 6 years after the ticket was issued?

    Reply
    • Stephanie,

      No, usually a bill for the assessment fee is issued within 30 days of the conviction. The only guess that I can make about your delay is that the DMV did not aggregate the conviction with another one that you had until recently. Sometimes DMV merges record and comes up with this stuff.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • So I received a ticket for failure to stop at flashing red light back in 2009, pleaded guilty 2 months later, paid the ticket and I open up the mail today on February 8, 2016 and find I get assessment fees. Is it possible for this to happen 6 years later?

    Reply
    • Stephanie,

      Weird. You wouldn’t get an assessment fee, however, for just a flashing red light conviction (3-point ticket). This fee would only be imposed when you accumulate 6 or more points. Was there another conviction that occurred?

      My best advice is to get a copy of your driving abstract which should show how this fee was calculated.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Matthew,

    I have a suspension on my abstract from NY that should not be there. How can I find this in order to get it off of my abstract?

    Also, I am not living near the court that ordered the suspension (I’m 400+miles away). Can I handle this over the phone, mail or email?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Anthony,

      You can find the suspension info by running your record. Call us if you’d like us to do so. We charge $33 as DMV charges us for pull records.

      If you cannot appear in court, then you can retain a NY traffic lawyer to handle it for you.

      Matthew Weiss
      212-683-7373

      Reply
  • Tharon Anderson
    January 25, 2016 4:12 pm

    Hi Matt

    I see that you went to Hofstra, great school! My uncle used to coach the woman’s basketball team there.

    Question for you, do this differ from state to state? I am reading that different states treat it differently.

    Reply
  • My wifes NYS DL has been suspended for 20 year failure to pay fines..When fines are paid for ,Will she need to start from permit or will the suspension just be lifted?

    Reply
  • Hello Matthew,

    Can you let me know if DWAI’s stay on your abstract indefinitely? Or are they removed after 10 years? Thanks!

    Joshua

    Reply
  • Stated on this site :
    “A traffic ticket conviction or an accident normally remains on a driver record during the year that the conviction or the accident occurred, and for the following three calendar years. (Note: The DMV uses the year when the conviction occurred, not the year when the violation occurred.) The DMV removes a conviction or an accident from a driver record on January 1 of the fourth year after the year of the conviction or the accident. For example, an accident or a conviction that occurred during 2009 remains on the driver record until January 1, 2013.”

    However stated on the NYC DMV site:
    your point total is calculated based on the date of the violation, not the date of the conviction the points for violations that all occurred within the last 18 months are added to calculate your point
    total-2

    2 -Once 18 months have passed from the violation date, the points for that violation no longer count toward your total. However, the points remain on your driving record as long as the conviction remains on your record and may be used by your insurance company to increase premiums.

    Care to elaborate please?
    How long before the points are removed from your record 18-months?
    How long does a conviction remain, 3 years or 18-months?
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Rich,

      Answers to your questions below in bold:

      How long before the points are removed from your record 18-months? 18 months from the date of offense for point purposes and 36 months from the date of conviction for insurance purposes.
      How long does a conviction remain, 3 years or 18-months? The conviction appears on your record for roughly 5 years.

      Reply
  • hello there hoping you can shed some light i was convited of failed to stop at stop sign on 7/1/2013 when will this be lifted from my record or abstract ? also was convited for operating with out a license on 05/8//2012 just wondering how many monthes these two i have left before they are lifted from my abstract i plan on applying to the tlc to become a taxi driver

    Reply
  • I received two speeding tickets in August and September of 2013 and was convicted, I took a defensive driving course to reduce points from my license, are employers still able to see the convictions? And is there anything that shows you took a course to reduce points?

    -Jane

    Reply
    • Jane,

      Anyone who sees your driving record can see these convictions because they are less than 5 years old. The completion of the Driver Safety Class appears on your record usually within 45 days of taking the class.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Matthew, I had an unfortunate incident on a trip to FL, when backing out of a parking spot my vehicle collided with another entering the lot. Sadly, beside the damage to the vehicle under FL state law I was issued a citation for backing up (they claimed improperly – since an accident occured). Until now my NYS driving record has been clear….will the accident and the citation appear on my NY record? How best should I mitigate this event impacting my record / insurance rates? Many thanks.

    Reply
  • If the accident was not you’re fault does it still go on you’re record?

    Reply
    • Lala,

      If the accident is reported to the police, then it will appear on your abstract. We have seem accidents noted as “not driver’s fault” but only when a driver is rear-ended.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hey Matt, I got a speeding ticket in GA about 9 months ago which i payed outright over the internet. Does this ticket show up on my record in NY at all or anywhere? also I got a speeding ticket about 3 years ago but I went to court and plead it down to a seatbelt ticket, my question is does it show up as speeding ticket plead down? Or does it just show up as a regular seatbelt ticket without the details??

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Jack,

      A GA ticket will not appear on your NYS driver’s abstract (although it likely will be reported to NY). A pled down ticket shows on your abstract as only a conviction to the reduced charge (without the details).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Matthew, Thanks so much for being so involved.

    I asked earlier this year about dmv stays but now wonder if you can point me in the right direction.

    Dmv has removed my violation but geico still charges me for it. It was a single ticket and my first (and only) on ever.

    While I wish I retained you then and there, I am still kinda paying for not doing so.

    Any advice?

    Reply
    • Jay,

      Sorry to hear about your misfortune. You need to send your record to your insurance company and ask them to re-rate your premium based on your current abstract.

      Good luck!

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I had some accident about 2 years ago im at fault. I was pregnant last year & passed out bec of dehydration, went to neurologist & she had to report to DMV ….I recieved letter in the mail that they will suspend my license if i dont fill out the paper but my Neurologist didnt let me
    drive for 3 months…so my license got suspended now my insurance double up now paying with $290 per month with my XB 2006 ??? this is upsetting because i was just diagnosed with dehydration not some neurolgical problem. So my neurologist wrote a letter that i am clear & not to raise my automobile insurNce but no one honors it. Im stuck suspensed license in my record & paying high automobile insurance. I have a copy of my driving record obatained from DMV but i dont understand a thing bec it does not explain anything…its just numbers & letter. What should I do ? please help !

    Reply
    • Michelle,

      Your insurance rates should not be raised starting 36 months from the date of the accident. Meanwhile, you can take a NYS Driver Safety Class to reduce your rates by 10%.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Mister Weiss,
    Thank you for your advice. I will try to figure out what is going on. I will order the driving records from the DMV on my hand and try to quote again. I will keep you posted.
    Very Respectfully,
    Elen

    Reply
  • Mister Weiss,
    Nothing is suspended. They just wanted more money. It is not just one insurer it is almost all of them, unfortunately. I think, it is the way they are doing business…
    Thanks,

    Reply
  • Dear Mister Weiss,
    thank you very much for your answer. I tried to buy car insurance in NY state from a number of well known insurers and they talked about the driving records from 2008 and 2009. They raise my quote twice after they mentioned the records from 2009. I could not believe in it. My gut told me that they should not use it because of NY state laws. I am very appreciated that you took time to answer me. I will try to fight them,
    Very Respectfully,

    Reply
  • Dear Mister Weiss,
    I like your post very much. I am just wondering if NY state has some kind of law that states for car insurance companies how far they can go to my driving records. You mentioned above that it is about 36 months but it would be nice to know the document that regulates this,
    Thank you very much,

    Reply
    • Hi Elen,

      Under Insurance Law Section 2335, insurance companies in New York State can use a moving violation conviction to raise your raised for only 36 months commencing from the date of conviction.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • On Jan 20 2014, I got disobey traffic ticket. I went to DMV system to plead but ticket was not available. It was not there for more than a year. I have a proof of me entering ticket number in the system and it not showing up. Then it showed up just now almost 19 months later (I found it out by trying to pay unrelated ticket). How bad am i screwed and what do I do?

    thanks a lot, sir

    Reply
  • Greg Lichtenstein
    August 21, 2015 6:41 pm

    how many points are you aloud to have on a ny cdl before it gets suspended?

    Reply
  • Still not clear on this issue…
    Convicted of improper cell phone use in New York in May 2014. For the sole purpose of employment (company only recognizes points) how long does it take for points not the conviction to disappear?

    Reply
    • Cotton,

      Points from NY convictions count on your NY record for 18 months from the date of offense. The conviction, however, will appear on your record for roughly 5 years.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Is there a way to have things removed from your DMV Abstract prior to the time it is typically removed?

    Reply
  • Hi, The state placed someone else driving record on mines which caused my license to be suspended. I was able to get it cleared up but was told I have to pay a reinstatement fee. Is there a way I can have this fee waived since it was their mistake?

    Reply
  • Hey Matthew I received a speeding ticket in feb 2013 i kept extending the court date and finally plea bargined that was dropped to a changing lane without signal 2 points in September 2014. When will this thing come of my abstract

    Reply
    • Avi,

      The conviction will no longer appear at all on your abstract in about 5 years. However, for DMV purposes, the points from this ticket no longer count going forward (i.e., the conviction was Feb 2013 so points dropped off Aug 2014).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I received a ticket for using my GPS 2 years ago, I still havent gone to court to dispute it (was delayed by the city twice?!?) – if i’m found guilty, is it recorded on my record from the day i was issued the ticket by the officer, or when I was found guilty in court?

    Reply
    • Benji,

      If you’re found guilty, the conviction will be recorded on your record. For DMV points purposes, however, the date of offense is when the points first start to retroactively run. Read my post again as it clearly explains this topic.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Jason millan
    July 12, 2015 10:08 am

    Good morning is it true after 8 years parking tickets does not show up on your record any more ?also if i live in the state of nyc an have a clean driving record but in the state of new jersey i owe parking tickets can my car get towed/botted in the state of nyc???

    Reply
  • Matt-

    Ok, I recently was held off a job because they said my license had too many points. I have a suspension in 2008 & 2011 – 1 for a registration expired, long story short, work vehicle boss said he was mailing in ticket with valid registration, didn’t, suspension. Tickets answered after and dismissed that was 2008. 2011 suspension was an old “friend” of mine used my name when pulled over and didn’t tell me and didn’t resolve tickets and my license was suspended. Again, tickets dismissed. Last conviction 2005 cell phone. No speeding tickets. Two accidents 2007/2005 both I was hit in rear. Would this be considered a bad driving record?

    Reply
    • Russ,

      What constitutes a “bad driving” record is subjective (although one, let along multiple, suspensions are a bad thing). With that said, if I was you, I would emphasize the fact that you have had a new incident since 2011. Further, some of the older stuff may not be even on your abstract. I suggest that you obtain a copy of it to see what is on it.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • How long can does points stay on drivers license in nyc? I’ve gotten 2 tickets for operating commercial vehicle on non commercial street and a cell phone violation all occurring between Jan-July in 2013. Are those points still going against my liscense?

    Reply
    • Tim,

      New York City works just like New York State (18 months from the date of offense). See my article for details. Convictions from Jan-July 2013 are no longer on your record for purposes of future tickets as the dates of offenses for those tickets are more than 18 months from today.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I had a suspension from June 2011, not cleared until June 2012, the tickets issued were dismissed. Does the suspension still stay on your record? Also, Do tickets that were dismissed show up on your records even though they were dismissed and you were never convicted?

    Reply
    • Russ,

      Yes, a past suspension (even if lifted) remains on your record for roughly 5 fives. In contrast, a dismissed ticket does NOT show up on your record.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Matthew,

    How long do the insurance companies retain the data for a look back? I have a conviction that fell off of my record but the insurance company still counted against me

    Reply
  • For dwai alcohol is it 10 years from date of conviction, exactly?

    Reply
  • Jay castillo
    June 5, 2015 12:34 am

    Is there a way to clean nysdriving records for conviction?

    Reply
    • Jay Castillo,

      No, once you have lost and exhausted (or waived) any appellate opportunities, then any conviction will remain on your license and cannot be “cleaned” off. However, after 5 years, it gets removed from your driving abstract (even though it remains in DMV’s records).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • nachman ziskind
    April 24, 2013 10:21 am

    What about the 25 year lookback for alcohol/Penal Law related convictions under 136.5? E.g., https://albany-lawyer.blogspot.com/2012/10/ny-dwi-repeat-offenders-new-dmv-rules.html

    Reply
    • Nachman,

      Always glad to see one of your posts. Thanks for being such a loyal reader. I am actually unfamiliar with the current state of this proposal but will do a little research and get back to you.

      Please be patient as I have a full plate right now.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply

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