How Can I Deduct Points From My NY Driver’s License?

73 Comments

Once you are convicted of a moving violation in New York, there are only two ways to deduct points from your license.  One involves time and the other involves education.

But first lets discuss briefly how the New York point system works.  You are generally allowed up to 10 points on your driving record within 18 months (based on dates of offense).  At 11 points, your driver’s license can be suspended.  For more details about the points system, read my post entitled “How Many Points Am I Allowed On My New York Driver’s License?

So once you are convicted, are there any ways to get those points deducted?  The answer is “yes”.  One involves the passage of time.  After 18 months counting from the date of offense, you will no longer have those points vis-a-vis new, future tickets.  That is, convictions 18 months or more apart (based on date of offense) are not added to one another.   Note:  For insurance purposes, convictions count against you for 36 months based on the date of conviction.

How Many Points Does Defensive Driving Take Off In NY?

The other way to deduct points is to take a 6-hour New York State Driver Safety Class.  You can take such a Class once every 18 months and you can take it online or in-person.

The NYS Driver Safety Class does not technically remove the conviction, however.  Instead, the class deducts up to 4 points from your current total (while leaving any convictions visible on your record).  The class will only deduct your point total for convictions that have dates of offense that are BEFORE the date of completion of the class counting 18 months back.  It is for this reason that we often recommend to our clients with point issues to take this Class before they are potentially convicted of any open moving violation that could put them at 11 or more points.  They will get credit for the Class even if they are convicted of this traffic ticket afterwards.  Stated differently, as long as the date of offense precedes the Class by 18 months or less, then you will get credit for the Class vis-a-vis that traffic ticket (even if you are convicted of that ticket after you complete the class).  However, you will NEVER get a credit for future tickets (i.e., ones that are issued after you complete the Driver Safety Class).

Finally, you can only take the New York State Driver Safety Class once every 18 months so we recommend that save it for those instances when you either already have 4+ points on our record (so you get the full benefit) or when you are facing a possible suspension for too many points.

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73 Comments. Leave new

  • justin demaio
    May 30, 2023 1:23 am

    hello i have a question on how point reduction works, i currently have just received my license back after having it revoked for 6 months on 3 speeding tickets that are almost 3 years old, which i served 6 months suspension at the time of receiving the tickets. so total i have served 12 months total for suspension for 3 tickets, have taken 2 PIRP courses which have not done a single thing. I currently have 13 points. also i want to add the second time my license was suspended i had no warning or any idea my license was revoked, also i was told the second time was because i have 3 speeding tickets in 6 months which was originally true, but 1 ticket i couldn’t get a court date till several months later, i settled the ticket and then that is when they suspended my license the second time without telling me. even though i have not got any new tickets.

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 30, 2023 9:41 am

      Justin Demaio,

      The Driver Safety Class does not allow you to avoid a revocation for 3 speeding convictions within 18 months.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hello Sir,

    I got a ticket on 1/25/19, plead not guilty and rescheduled the hearing over again until 10/4/22. If I choose to plead guilty now and pay the fines, will the points appear on my record ? It has been over 18 months since the violation date

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 17, 2022 9:36 pm

      Ronel B,

      If you plead guilty, the points will be added to your license (retroactive to the date of offense). Even though it has been more than 18 months, DMV will add these points to whatever points you have already (those within 18 months of that date of offense) and penalize you accordingly.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hello Sir,

    I received 6 points on my license. Took the defensive driving course. It was reported to the NYC DMV. I just looked at my driving record. The course was reported to NYC DMV within the appropriate time frame. Yet, the 6 points are still on my record. It’s been several months months. Would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      April 17, 2022 1:46 pm

      Kent,

      The 6 points remains on your license. However, the class (once it is added to your record) allows you to deduct 4 points from your total.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
      • It’s been 1 week. I received a “speed over posted limit” ticket for going 23 mph over the limit. I plead guilty can negotiate to pay the fees by not received the 6 points deduction from my license.

        Reply
        • Matthew Weiss
          May 21, 2022 6:00 pm

          Patrick,

          How you fight your ticket depends on where you got it. Feel free to email us a copy at Lawyer@nytrafficticket.com and we’ll review and answer this question with my details.

          Matthew Weiss
          Attorney Advertising

          Reply
  • Hi—I have a trial date on Tuesday for a speeding ticket received in 2018 coming off the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn, leaving a 35 mph zone to a 25 mph zone (1-10 mph over the limit ticket). There was a speed trap waiting just after the off-ramp, perhaps 1 block at most. Is this worth fighting? It is sufficiently delayed that the points will not matter as it is more than 18 months and no further violations. Question again is, is this worth fighting with such slim chances of winning an dismissal? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      April 10, 2022 11:11 pm

      Ian,

      Assuming you have an otherwise clean record, you can fight this one or just pay it. It is a low speed which, alone, will not affect your insurance rates and it it apparently only carries 3 points. (“1=10 mph”).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hi Mr Weiss,

    Thank you for this informative article!
    I currently have 6 points on my license related to a violation dated 12/12/20, so I understand these points will expire in the next 5 months.
    I got another ticket for speeding 82 where 55 is allowed with the violation dated 4/10/21. I pleaded guilty to this (as at that time I didn’t have the 6 points yet from the prior violation) but still have to pay the fine. I understand this second violation probably also carries 6 points, however it is not yet shown on my record. Is it correct that the points will only be added to my record after I have paid the fine?

    What would be the best approach for me regarding this? Should I try to delay the payment of the 2nd violation so that by the time the points get added to my record, the points from my first violation have already expired? Or would it be better to take the defensive drivers course now so that the 6 points from my first violation get reduced to 2, and I have enough space to incur an additional 6 points. Understand that if I take the course now, and I do get an additional 6 points for the 2nd violation, I will have 8 points for the next year without having the opportunity to reduce it by taking the course again.

    Any advice would be much appreciated.

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      January 27, 2022 4:13 pm

      Kevin,

      The points are added to your license as soon as you plead guilty (or are found guilty).

      Take the Driver Safety Class ASAP! Delaying does not help avoid a suspension for too many points. As my article states, points are based on the date of offense.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
      • I pleaded guilty to the 2nd violation more than 1 month ago, and right now there are no points on my record for that violation.
        For the first violation I went to court on 1/18/22, and my record has 6 points already for that violation.
        Could it maybe be that the court related to my 2nd violation forgot to submit the paperwork to the DMV, or that it still needs to be processed by the DMV (even though my first violation seemed to have been processed in less than 1 week)?

        Reply
  • i got a speeding ticket and got 6 points how can i get rid of the points ? i got the speeding ticket in peru upstate.

    Reply
    • yan huang,

      You should plead not guilty. This is the only way to possibly obtain a more favorable outcome.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • David perez
    July 4, 2021 10:13 am

    I got a ticket for a improper left turn on one way roadway on June 9,2021. Now I got 2 points on license, I plead guilty to the ticket and paid for it $138. Should I go to those safety driving course to reduce my points?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      July 4, 2021 1:47 pm

      David Perez,

      An improper left hand ticket carries 2 points but the class will remove up to 4 points.

      Assuming you have an otherwise clean record, I recommend saving the class for when you really need it. You can only take it once every 18 months.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I recieved a 6 pt penalty in Oct 2018 and a 4 point penalty in Sept 2020,both speeding…when will the ins surcharges come off for each ?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      June 14, 2021 12:23 pm

      Richard A,

      Convictions can be held against you by insurance companies for 36 months from the date of conviction.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
    • I have 11 points all ready I have the 6 hours class what’s the next step

      Reply
      • Cruz Mora,

        Because you apparently have been convicted of the 11 points already, there is nothing further for you to do.

        Matthew Weiss

        Reply
  • Hello! Good morning, Sir

    Earlier 6/7 months ago I was driving a 49CC scooter, and I received a Ticket for “operate motor vehicle while using portable electronic device” and This ticket carries 5 points, Right?! So, that time I don’t have a driver license and they fine me on my ID card, but now 2 months ago i got the driver license.

    So my question is: will that 5 points deduct from my driver license? or what can i do?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 31, 2021 6:36 pm

      Johnny,

      Good question. My best guess is that DMV will match up your ID with your Driver’s License’s number. If so, you will be assessed the 5 points.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I got a speeding ticket. I didn’t go to court so my license was suspended and i got 4 point on my license. I payed off the ticket and got my license back. Is it possible to reduce the points?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 27, 2021 1:51 pm

      Gabriel,

      Because you paid the ticket already, it will VERY be hard to un-do it.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I received a ticket in march of 2017, the Dmv has rescheduled my court date numerous times, I was wondering, do I still get the points on my license after a certain period of time has passed since is has been over a 3 year period?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 26, 2021 3:21 pm

      Torrez M,

      If you lose, you get the points put on your license retroactive to the date of offense.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Anthony Strickland
    May 1, 2021 4:24 am

    Yes i have 3 dwi s. On my record i wont be elgible untill 2025 for a license ! I have 29 points on my license the dmv said i would have to get my points down to 19 to be eligible in 2025 how do i get 10 points removed sir! I havent had a license since 2018! Can you please give me some advice sir?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      May 2, 2021 7:17 am

      Anthony Strickland,

      There is no way to remove 10 points from 2018 or earlier (other than waiting until they expire).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hi Mr.Weiss, I recently got three moving violations. They were for speeding 25mph over the limit, failure to obey traffic signals (speed limit sign) and “careless driving” which I think was bull. Anyways, I was wondering if it’d be a good idea to get a lawyer to help me out so that I don’t get any points on my license for these violations or if I should just take the damage. I don’t make much money either so that’s also something to keep in mind.

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      April 29, 2021 12:47 pm

      Joseph,

      Given that you are facing a total of 10 points, it makes sense to consult with (if not retain) an experienced NY traffic ticket lawyer. Feel free to call us at 212-683-7373 for a free consultation.

      Matthew Weiss
      Attorney Advertising

      Reply
    • Hi, due to the covid pandemic I just had a hearing for a moving violation I received back in 2017. I was wondering if the 18month period begins in 2017 when or got the ticket or now in 2021?

      Reply
      • Matthew Weiss
        May 20, 2021 5:45 pm

        Anneka,

        DMV Points run retroactive from the date of offense (regardless of when you are convicted). This is clearly stated in the above article.

        Matthew Weiss

        Reply
  • Delia Gallardo
    April 18, 2021 11:52 pm

    Hello! How are you Sir? I got a uniform traffic ticket on 4/16/2021 for speeding 47MPH on a 30MPH zone in Yonkers.This is my first speeding ticket in 20 years. I took the NYS Driver’s safety class on Dec 7,2019 for a10% off on my insurance. Will this help me deduct points on my driver license. Also, I need to mail this summon before May 25,2021. But I just can’t read the address because is not clearly written. What should I do? I live in the Bronx but this summon was written in Yonkers NY. Please help! Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      April 22, 2021 11:38 am

      Delia Gallardo,

      Your 2019 class will not deduct points for your new ticket.

      Below is the information for your court:

      Yonkers City Court
      100 South Broadway
      Yonkers, NY 10701
      914-831-6450

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I have 9 points on my license. I did my 6 hour course last year and I am currently paying a driver’s assessment. I received a stop sign ticket this morning which I am told is around 3 points. What can be done to make sure my license is not suspended?

    Reply
  • Good morning I have a cdl I have 42 points all of my point were for drivring my personal vehicle not one ticket while operating a commercial vehicle my license is revoked never had a DWI and it’s my first time getting revoked I just applied to get my license back my ? Is do I have a good chance of getting my license back without having to restart the whole process again like taking my written exam and road test

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      March 18, 2021 1:21 pm

      Alex,

      Having 42 points is a lot. We are not sure but our best guess is that you’ll have to re-apply.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hey everyone,

    how do I obtain a restricted license if my license gets suspended for moving violation?

    thanks

    Reply
    • Colin,

      You can apply for a restricted used license at any DMV office. You are allowed to obtain one once every 5 years.

      Good luck!

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
      • Christopher w Tuttle
        March 9, 2021 12:03 am

        Hey my name is Christopher I was wondering i took a defensive driving course and it says it will reduce 4 points will they come off or just not count against me idk how it works.

        Reply
        • Matthew Weiss
          March 9, 2021 12:16 am

          Christopher,

          Your point total will be reduced by 4 points by taking the Driver Safety Class. You will not get a future credit of 4 points, however.

          Matthew Weiss

          Reply
  • Hey Team,

    Will a judge typically take the points reduction course into account when determining wether to suspend a license? Assuming the tickets are all for moving violations and a traffic attorney like yourself represents me in court? For example, if there was a a court date for a ticket that brings me 3 points over 11, and I has taken the course will the judge typically show mercy? thank you

    Reply
  • Hi, I have a question. So I know the way the points work and stuff, but I just can’t find anything on whether the points come off your license or not 4 Years after your conviction. Or will they forever stay on my license? Would renewing it take the points off?

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      January 8, 2021 12:11 pm

      Chris,

      Points never come off your record. Your record is your record. However, after 5-6 years, it will only appear on “expanded” records.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
      • Googled this for NY and this came to the top! Have the same question as Chris above ^. I have 2 completed points reduction courses on my DMV record, 1 of which is completed within 18 months (after) of a ticket that may get my license suspended, for a moving violation. Just wanted to find some kind of confirmation that the judges in North Brooklyn will actually take the completed courses into account as I drive all over the Northeast for work. Looks like they do assuming it’s for a Moving Violation. thank you.

        Reply
        • Sam, yes, you should be credited for the 4-point deduction for the NYS Driver Safety Class taken by you after the issuance of your pending ticket (as long as you took it within 18 months of the ticket’s date of offense).

          Matthew Weiss

          Reply
  • Hello, good evening sir.
    I had a speeding ticket (4pt) issued on july.2018. And one more ticket was issued after
    5 month of this speeding ticket.
    I took my ddc class on jan.8.2019. That means i took my class within 18 months after i got the speeding ticket. I found guilty for this ticket on aug.2020. My question is ..
    1. will my ddc class will help me for this speeding ticket that i took on jan.2019?
    2. Since it was guilty after over 18 months…will it be count with other ticket that was issued after 5 months of this speeding ticket?
    Usually i heard if a ticket found guilty after 18 months of issued date, it never count with other ticket.
    Thank you sir.🙏

    Reply
  • Hello I have 16 point for speeding tickets in feb /2019 n now I got pull over today for red light , disobeying traffic pavement marking , unregistered car what gonna happen

    Reply
  • Shaharyar Khan
    December 10, 2019 6:37 pm

    i just wants to know how points works on license , By Violation date or when u get convicted, i have 8 points, ticket is old i have rescheduled it once and got a date after an year, so am wondering will it go away after 18 months of Violation or it will go away by the date of Conviction ?

    Reply
  • My granddaughter got a ticket for a wrong turn and it was issue by the officer I believe that’s3 points off her license she afraid cause she has 8 points already for speeding will her license be suspended

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      August 15, 2019 10:44 pm

      Milly,

      IT could be but there is hope. Tell her to email us a photo of the front of her ticket to lawyer@nytrafficticket.com and include a return phone number. Upon receipt. we’ll call her to give further free advice.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Got ticket for disobeying the traffic control sign (missed new no left turn sign) . Paid ticket on- line , but still have 2 points on my driver licenses. How to get rid of the points?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Matthew Weiss
      February 5, 2019 8:09 pm

      Lola,

      Given that you already pled guilty, the only way to lessen your point total is by taking a NYS Driver’s Safety Class.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
    • Hi . I have 6 points on my license and it is hard to do Lyft now and get approved for work. My question is how can I remove some points off my record even if I did the 6 hour safety class already ?

      Reply
      • Marley,

        Other than waiting 18 months from the date of offense for the points to “fall off”, the only way to deduct points is take the NYS Driver’s Safety Class.

        Matthew Weiss

        Reply
  • How does Tlc in newyork review the point? Do they check just your points(18 months) or the record(4 years )?

    Reply
  • I had a ticket for failed to stop on traffic light signal. 80-13(a)3(vii). And TLC has sent me a summon. Advice me what should I do. And do u wok for TLC summons?

    Reply
    • Md,

      We do not fight TLC tickets but you can find an experienced TLC representative at the TLC court. You should plead not guilty to both tickets as this is the only way to possibly obtain a more favorable outcome.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I appreciate your research.

    Reply
    • Dan Stein,

      The post clearly states: “The NYS Driver Safety Class does not technically remove the conviction.” In any event, I have changed
      “remove” to “deduct” in the post so it is clearer. Thank you for your suggestion.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • I had a reply (thanks for that) from you( I cannot answer this question without knowing the date of offense for your 4-point speeding ticket.)
    for the question bellow: the date of offense of my 4 points was Nov.17.2015. Please reply.

    Hello! How are you sir?
    I had a speeding ticket (8 points) on Feb.2015. And I found guilty for 6 points on Feb.2016. And I have a upcoming hearing date for another speeding (4 point) ticket on may.2017. If I found guilty on this ticket for 4 point ,is it going to add with the last ticket which I was guilty for 6 points. My last Defensive Driving course was taken on January. 2015.
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Md A Rahman,

      Because your Nov 2015, 4-point speeding ticket was issued within 18-months of your prior Feb 2015 6-point speeding ticket, the two convictions would be added together to give you a total of 10 points. The fact that you were convicted much later (May 2017) is irrelevant. The dates of the offense are what are controlling for purposes of calculating DMV points.

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • Hello! How are you sir?
    I had a speeding ticket (8 points) on Feb.2015. And I found guilty for 6 points on Feb.2016. And I have a upcoming hearing date for another speeding (4 point) ticket on may.2017. If I found guilty on this ticket for 4 point ,is it going to add with the last ticket which I was guilty for 6 points. My last Defensive Driving course was taken on January. 2015.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  • It’s deceiving to use the term “remove” points when in reality nothing is removed. That’s why the DMV’s literature uses the word “reduce” which is more accurate.

    Reply
    • Dan Stein,

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m a little insulted that you would use the verb “deceive” when describing my article. Like my the 100s of other articles which I have researched, written and published, it is intended solely to help NY motorist understand the various issues relating to their right to driving. With that said you are right that technically, the points technically are not “removed” by the DMV class (you actually get a reduction of 4).

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply
  • 1st speeding ticket in 15years, no other moving violations. In NYC ,ticket issued for going 50 on a 30mph off ramp.
    Have a clean CDL. Concerned about points.
    Not sure what’she the best course . Plead guilty on line and play fine.
    2) go to court plead guilty ask for reduction in points if that is done.
    3) contest ticket ,no deposition by officer issued. If found guilty,pay fine and then ask for point reduction. Being aware will loose day of work for court appearencephalitis.
    What is advisable sir. Thank you. B.Bell

    Reply
    • Bruce W Bell,

      You should plead not guilty as this is the only way to possibly obtain a more favorable result. This carries 4 points and can adversely affect your insurance rates. Given your otherwise clean record, you likely can get this negotiated down to a less serious charge. If you cannot or do not want to travel to the court, then you can retain a NY traffic ticket lawyer to appear for you.

      Good luck!

      Matthew Weiss

      Reply

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