How speeding affects your NY driver’s license

When you are driving through the Albany corridor, keeping your speed constant and controlled can be challenging. When heading to Buffalo on I-90, the temptation to accelerate can be even more impossible to resist. If you have received a speeding ticket, though, your New York driver’s license may be in jeopardy. Because losing your driving license is probably not an option, you should know how the New York point system affects it.

In New York, accumulating 11 points in an 18-month period could lead to a suspension of your driver’s license. For many motorists, this allotment is generous enough to avoid a suspension or revocation of driving privileges. If you regularly exceed the speed limit or otherwise violate traffic laws, however, you may be in trouble. Also, if you accumulate more than 6 points in an 18-month period, you may have to pay a driver responsibility fee.

Points accumulate quickly for speeding violations

According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, you may accrue points for a variety of traffic violations. For example, failing to stop for a school bus and following too closely both result in an assessment of five points. If you tend to exceed posted speed limits, though, you should realize that points accumulate quickly for speeding infractions.

• Speeding up to 10 miles per hour over the limit results in a one-point assessment
• Speeding between 11 and 20 miles per hour over the limit results in a four-point assessment
• Speeding between 21 and 30 miles per hour over the limit results in a six-point assessment
• Speeding between 31 and 40 miles per hour over the limit results in an eight-point assessment
• Speeding more than 40 miles per hour over the limit results in an 11-point assessment

A conviction is necessary for points to attach

For points to attach to your driving record, you must receive a conviction. You should know that paying your fine constitutes a conviction. Many New York motorists routinely pay fines quickly to avoid the hassle of going to court, thereby failing to exercise their full legal rights. Seeking competent legal advice before paying a speeding ticket may help you minimize the number of points that attach to your driving record.

When you have somewhere you need to be, exceeding the speed limit may be appealing. You must be careful about driving too fast, though, as the points from speeding violations can cause you to lose your driving privileges. By watching your speed and understanding the New York point system, you increase your chances of keeping your New York driver’s license in good standing.