In New York state, driver fines and penalties are about to sharply increase. Here’s everything you need to know before you drive in the Empire State.
The start of a new year usually ushers in not only our own personal resolutions but also a litany of new laws adopted by a given state in previous years (like New York’s All-Electric Building Act). So, if you’re a driver in the state of New York, buckle up, because you’re about to find yourself staring at what amounts to a fundamental rewrite of the points-against-your-license system.
The changes came about through Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposals outlined during her 2023 State of the State speech (aka „Achieving the New York Dream“). It took some time to get the law through the state legislature because, at its core, it includes 147 initiatives that she hopes will „create a more affordable, more livable and safer New York.“ In February 2026, significant modifications to New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles driver point system will target high-risk drivers by changing how points are assessed, what penalties are associated with certain violations, and the rules governing license suspensions and restoration.
