New York's 2026 Driver Point Changes: What Actually Changed

On February 16, 2026, New York updated its driver point system. Two things changed: several violations now carry higher point values, and the window the DMV looks back over for suspensions grew from 18 to 24 months.

One correction up front, because it's everywhere online: the suspension threshold did not drop to 10 points. Per the DMV it's still 11 points — only the look-back window changed. Here's the accurate picture.

New York may suspend a license when a driver reaches 11 points within 24 months. Before the change it was 11 points within 18 months — so the point total that triggers a suspension is the same, but the DMV now counts convictions over a longer window.

A lot of news and law-firm pages claim the threshold dropped to "10 points." That figure does not appear on any DMV page and contradicts the DMV's own materials. Treat 11 points / 24 months as the rule.

The DMV raised points on a number of serious violations. Confirmed changes include: passing a stopped school bus (5 to 8), speeding in a work zone (now 8), an over-height vehicle or bridge strike (0 to 8), any alcohol- or drug-related conviction or incident (now 11), aggravated unlicensed operation (now 11), leaving the scene of a personal-injury crash (3 to 5), failure to exercise due care (2 to 5), facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation (now 5), and speed contests or races (now 5).

Some things did not change: a mobile-phone or portable-device violation is still 5 points, and equipment violations are still 0. Ordinary (non-work-zone) speeding tiers were not changed by this update.

With heavier point values and a longer 24-month look-back, it's easier to accumulate points toward a suspension — which makes the up-to-4-point reduction from a defensive driving course more valuable, not less.

PIRP still subtracts up to 4 points from your suspension total, exactly as before. The DMV has not published changes to how PIRP works under the new system, so the same 18-month point-reduction rule still applies — see how often you can take it.

Under the stricter 2026 rules, an up-to-4-point reduction plus a three-year insurance discount is worth more than ever. When you're ready, we'll point you to the New York online course.