New York DMV New Points System Is Now In Effect

Drivers all over the Empire State, from Salamanca and Springville to Sagaponack and Shinnecock Hills, are starting their week on Monday, February 16, 2026, in a totally new environment when they hit the roads.

Over the last few years, the powers that be in New York State have been touting changes to the state's driving rules and the points system that is used when you break those rules. The day has come for those new rules to take effect, and it has many drivers in New York not happy with what's happening inthe state.

READ MORE: Is New York’s Driver Points System Change Is A Money Grab For The State

While drivers around the state are now under a new set of even more punitive enforcement measures when traffic rules are broken, police agencies and local governments all over the state are welcoming the new rules, as they will likely drive a lot more revenue into government coffers while punishing citizens who simply make a mistake.

According to WGRZ-TV, the NYS Troopers Police Benevolence Association released a public service announcement to remind New Yorkers that new severe financial penalties are now in effect.

Driving In New York Is Now A Lot Stricter, And Potentially Expensive

Now you can have your license suspended if you get 10 points within a 24-month period; it used to be 11 points in an 18-month period. In addition to that, there are a lot more things you can be assessed points for, and they will cost you a lot more money thanks to the state's increased Driver Responsibility Assessment fees:

• Speeding in all categories has increased points.
  • Speeding less than 10 MPH over the limit is now 4 points; it used to be 3.
• Cell Phone Use While Driving is now 6 points; it used to be 5.
• Not yielding to pedestrians is now 5 points; it used to be 3.
• Driving recklessly is now 8 points; it used to be 5.
• Following too closely to another vehicle is now 5 points; it used to be 4.
• Alcohol related crimes now start at 8 points.

If that's not enough, quite a few violations didn't have a point associated with them, now have them:

• Equipment violations that you used to get a 'fix it ticket' now carry points.
  • Broken taillights or headlights are now 1 point each,
  • Illegally tinted windows are now 1 point each.
• Making an illegal U-turn is now 2 points.
• Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is now 3 points.
• and much, much, much more.

While the Governor said that this is all to make New York's roads safer, many everyday people think it's another step in the wrong direction for New York and a huge money grab.

What do you think? Do these new and stricter points make New York better?