Starting in February 2026, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will officially implement a new traffic violation point system, as announced by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Under the new regulations, drivers who accumulate 10 points within 24 months may face license suspension or even revocation, which is significantly stricter compared to the current system where it takes 11 points within 18 months for a suspension. This move aims to enhance road safety, but it also means that drivers could lose their driving privileges more quickly with even minor infractions.
In the new system, the penalty points for various common violations have been increased. For example, speeding by even just 10 miles over the limit will now result in 4 points, up from the previous 3 points; using a mobile phone while driving will now incur 6 points, up from 5 points; failure to yield to pedestrians will now result in 5 points, a substantial increase from 3 points. Furthermore, reckless driving, considered highly dangerous, will now carry 8 points, up from the previous 5 points, nearly reaching the suspension threshold.
Notably, the new system includes certain violations that previously only resulted in fines without points. Violations such as equipment infractions (such as damaged taillights or headlights) will now carry 1 point each; illegal U-turns and obstructing traffic will result in 2 points each; failure to yield to emergency vehicles will be penalized with 3 points. Enforcement authorities caution that despite seeming minor, these infractions, if repeated, can quickly accumulate a significant number of points.
For major violations, the new regulations introduce a “one-time heavy penalty” model. Driving under the influence (including alcohol or drug impairment), aggravated driving without a license, and driving while the license is suspended will now result in 11 points being assessed at once, along with a $675 fine. These behaviors were not previously included in the general point system under the old rules but now can lead to or even exceed the suspension threshold, indicating the state’s “zero tolerance” policy towards high-risk driving behaviors.