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New York traffic tickets

Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in New York.

Speeding ticketAbout $133–$693estimate with court costs
License at risk11 ptsin 24 months
Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) / defensive driving courseYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+11%on $2,712 a year

What will my ticket really cost? Check my points

What kind of ticket did you get?

Which court is on your ticket?

State law sets a range, and the court picks the amount. Pick the court named on your ticket.

Every other New York county court

Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 3 more courts. Tap a county to open it.

Erie County716-851-5883 (prerecorded general information)Pays online

Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency (Erie County local traffic courts). Fines follow the New York statewide schedule.

Address
65 Niagara Square, Room 115 (City Hall), Buffalo, NY 14202. Hearings: Buffalo City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Room 1802.
Phone
716-851-5883 (prerecorded general information)
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm. Traffic court sessions 9:30am-4:00pm several days per week.

Pay or look up your ticket ↗ buffalony.gov ↗

Monroe County585-428-6555Pays online

Rochester Traffic Violations Agency (Monroe County local traffic courts). Fines follow the New York statewide schedule.

Address
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002, Rochester, NY 14604
Phone
585-428-6555
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. In-person payments until 4:15pm.

Pay or look up your ticket ↗ cityofrochester.gov ↗

Onondaga County

Syracuse City Court, Traffic Division (Onondaga County local traffic courts). Fines follow the New York statewide schedule.

ww2.nycourts.gov ↗

What are your options with a New York ticket?

Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Here is every route New York offers, and what each one changes.

  1. Plead guilty and pay

    For a New York City ticket, plead guilty to the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau online, by mail or by phone. Outside the city, follow the instructions on the back of the ticket and answer the local court named on it by the return date. You can't plead guilty online if the conviction would suspend or revoke your license. A guilty plea can't be taken back.

    What it does: This is a conviction. DMV adds the points for that violation to your record, where insurers can see it, and you pay the fine plus the $88 or $93 state surcharge. Some convictions also bring a separate Driver Responsibility Assessment.[11][12][1][10][3]

  2. Plead not guilty and get a TVB hearing (NYC)

    Plead not guilty and schedule a hearing online, by mail or by phone, within 15 days of getting the ticket. The hearing is at the TVB office for the area where you were stopped. You can attend in person, attend virtually, or send a written statement instead of appearing.

    What it does: A judge must find clear and convincing evidence to convict. If not, you are found not guilty and owe nothing. If guilty, you get the conviction, points, fine and surcharge, and can appeal to the DMV Appeals Board on form AA-33.[11][12][14]

  3. Plead not guilty in local court (outside NYC)

    Tickets from outside New York City go to the city, town or village court where the stop happened. Enter a not guilty plea by the return date, following the instructions on the back of the ticket, and the court sets the next date.

    What it does: A not guilty finding or a dismissal means no conviction and no points. A guilty finding or plea is a conviction with points and the state surcharge.[12][1][10]

  4. Take a PIRP defensive driving course

    Take a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course in a classroom or online. You can do this alongside any of the options above.

    What it does: It does not dismiss the ticket or remove the conviction or points from your record. DMV takes up to 4 points off when it checks for a points suspension, once every 18 months, and your liability and collision premiums drop 10 percent for 3 years.[4]

  5. Pay the fine through a payment plan

    After your ticket is resolved, you may qualify for a DMV traffic ticket payment plan. Signing up for a plan also lifts a suspension for not paying.

    What it does: It spreads out the cost only. The conviction and points stay the same.[12][15]

What does New York law allow for speeding?

1–10 mph overAbout $133–$243[5][6]$45–$150 fine + costs
11–30 mph overAbout $178–$393[5][6]$90–$300 fine + costs
31+ mph overAbout $268–$693[5][6]$180–$600 fine + costs

A mandatory state surcharge is added to the fine on traffic-infraction convictions: $88, or $93 in town and village courts (DMV).[10][7][8][9][3][11]

Every fine on the New York schedule (6)
TicketState fineWith court costs
Speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding not more than 10 MPH over (VTL 1180(b)/(d)(1)), first offenseStatutory range $45-$150.$45–$150[5][6]$133–$243
Speeding, 11–30 mph overPrinted as: Speeding more than 10, not more than 30 MPH over, first offense$90–$300[5][6]$178–$393
Speeding, 31+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding more than 30 MPH over, first offenseStatutory range $180-$600.$180–$600[5][6]$268–$693
School zone speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: School speed zone (VTL 1180(c)), not more than 10 MPH overSchool days 7 AM to 6 PM.$90–$300[5]$178–$393
Work zone speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Work zone (VTL 1180(f)), not more than 10 MPH over11-30 over: $180-$300.$90–$150[5][9]$178–$243
Second / third speeding violation within 18 monthsMaximum fine may rise by $150 (second) or $375 (third or subsequent) within 18 months.On your notice[5][6][15]Plus court costs

With court costs is an estimate. $88 mandatory state surcharge, $93 in town and village courts.[10][7][8][9][3][11] Your notice shows the exact total.

How many points is a speeding ticket in New York?

All 29 point values
  • Aggravated unlicensed operation11 pts[1][2]
  • Over-Height Vehicle, bridge strikes8 pts[1][2]
  • Passing a stopped school bus8 pts[1][2]
  • Reckless driving5 pts[1]
  • Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident5 pts[1][2]
  • Failure to exercise due care5 pts[1][2]
  • Facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation5 pts[1][2]
  • Speed contests and races5 pts[1][2]
  • Handheld phone use5 pts[1]
  • Railroad crossing violation5 pts[1]
  • Following too closely4 pts[1]
  • Inadequate brakes (employer's vehicle)4 pts[1]
  • Unsafe lane change3 pts[1]
  • Running a red light3 pts[1]
  • Running a stop sign3 pts[1]
  • Failure to yield3 pts[1]
  • Leaving scene of incident involving property damage or injury to domestic animal3 pts[1]
  • No seat belt3 pts[1]
  • Any other moving violations2 pts[1]
  • No proof of insurance0 pts[1]
  • Expired registration0 pts[1]
How points work in New York

DMV assigns points on conviction, counted by violation date. Points for violations within the last 24 months are added. 11 or more points in 24 months may lead to suspension. Since February 16, 2026 (15 NYCRR Part 131 amendments) the look-back is 24 months (was 18) and several violations carry new or higher points (DWI/DWAI 11, aggravated unlicensed operation 11, passing a stopped school bus 8, work-zone speeding 8). Violations on or before Feb 15, 2026 keep the old point values. Points stay on the record as long as the conviction does and insurers may use them.[1][2]

Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →

When can you lose your license?

  1. 11 ptsin 24 monthsLicense may be suspended[1][2]
  2. 6 ptsin 18 monthsDriver Responsibility Assessment[3]
Full wording of each rule
  • 11 points in 24 months: License may be suspended (persistent violator)
  • 6 points in 18 months: Driver Responsibility Assessment: $100/year for 3 years ($300) for 6 points, plus $25/year ($75 total) per point over 6. Not paying = suspension
  • Mandatory revocation for a third or subsequent speeding violation committed within 18 months
  • Driver Responsibility Assessment of $250/year for 3 years ($750) for an alcohol/drug-related driving conviction or chemical test refusal in NY (any single conviction)

Getting your license back after a suspension costs $50 in New York, before any course or court costs.[19][20]

Drivers under 21

New drivers (and restored revoked licenses) serve a 6-month probationary period: a conviction for speeding, speed contest, reckless driving, following too closely, mobile phone or portable electronic device use, or any 2 other moving violations = 60-day suspension, then a second 6-month probation. A qualifying conviction in the second probation = revocation of at least 6 months. An out-of-state alcohol/drug conviction while under 21 = NY revocation of at least 1 year. Junior license rules add further restrictions (see DMV Graduated License Law page).[18][13]

Can Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) / defensive driving course keep a ticket off your record in New York?

Not fully. Does not dismiss the ticket or remove the conviction or points from the record. Subtracts up to 4 points when DMV calculates a point-based suspension (only points for violations in the 18 months before course completion), and cuts the base rate of auto liability and collision premiums by 10% each year for 3 years (principal operator only).[4]

How often: Point reduction: once in an 18-month period. Insurance discount: retake every 36 months to keep it.

Official list of approved schools ↗

Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →

Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost

Does not dismiss the ticket or remove the conviction or points from the record. Subtracts up to 4 points when DMV calculates a point-based suspension (only points for violations in the 18 months before course completion), and cuts the base rate of auto liability and collision premiums by 10% each year for 3 years (principal operator only). Does not reduce Driver Responsibility Assessment points or prevent mandatory suspensions/revocations (DWI, DWAI, three speeding violations in 18 months).[4]

Who can use it: Any driver may take a DMV-approved PIRP course (classroom 320 minutes, online, or other delivery). Point reduction cannot go below zero, cannot be banked against future points, and does not affect a suspension/revocation already imposed or a hearing already scheduled.[4]

Commercial (CDL) drivers: Not confirmed: The DMV PIRP page does not address CDL holders. Check with DMV: https://dmv.ny.gov/points-and-penalties/point-and-insurance-reduction-program-pirp[4]

Cost: Not set by the state. Fees vary by provider.[4]

Do school and work zones cost more?

School zones

Not a simple doubling: VTL 1180(h)(4) sets a separate, higher fine range for speeding in a school speed zone on school days 7 AM to 6 PM: $90-$300 (up to 10 over), $180-$600 (11-30 over), $360-$1,200 (more than 30 over), plus possible jail.[5]

Work zones

Fine minimums double in highway work zones (VTL 1180(f). Fines in 1180(h)(3)): $90-$150 (up to 10 over), $180-$300 (11-30 over), $360-$600 (more than 30 over). Since 2026-02-16 a work-zone speeding conviction carries 8 points, and VTL 1809-d adds a $50 surcharge.[5][6][9][1][2]

When is your ticket due?

  1. 15daysPay or respondfrom the ticket date[14][12][11]
    Details

    Answer the ticket (NYC TVB: plead not guilty by mail within 15 days of receiving the summons. Outside NYC: follow the instructions/return date on the ticket for the local court). If you miss it: Late not-guilty pleas at TVB must be entered in person at a hearing office. Not answering at all leads to license suspension.

  2. 30daysLicense suspended if ignoredfrom the notice date[15][11]
    Details

    DMV suspension for failure to answer/appear or pay takes effect. If you miss it: Indefinite suspension until you answer, pay, enter a payment plan, or the charge is dismissed. Continued failure at TVB leads to a default conviction.

  3. Date on noticePay the Driver Responsibility Assessmentset by the court[3]
    Details

    Pay Driver Responsibility Assessment by the payment date on the DMV statement. If you miss it: License, permit or driving privilege suspended.

  4. Date on noticeLast day to appealset by the court[11]
    Details

    Appeal a TVB conviction (form AA-33 to the DMV Appeals Board)

What happens if you don't respond

Not answering a ticket (TVB or local court) or missing a hearing means your license is suspended. Driving while suspended is a crime. At TVB, continued failure leads to a default conviction (same as guilty) and a further suspension for non-payment of the fine. The suspension is indefinite until you answer, pay, enter a payment plan, or the ticket is dismissed.[11][15]

Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?

Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?

Out-of-state moving-violation convictions do not add points to a NY non-commercial record, except convictions in Canada, which count like NY convictions (Quebec and Ontario convictions also count toward the DRA). Out-of-state alcohol/drug convictions bring NY revocation (at least 90 days if 21+, at least 1 year if under 21).[1][13][3]

How out-of-state tickets work →

How much will it raise your insurance in New York?

One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 11% on average in New York[1], from a clean-record average of $2,712 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $895 on top of the fine.

Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.

Where are the official pages?

What else do people ask?

How do points work in New York?

DMV assigns points on conviction, counted by violation date. Points for violations within the last 24 months are added. 11 or more points in 24 months may lead to suspension. Since February 16, 2026 (15 NYCRR Part 131 amendments) the look-back is 24 months (was 18) and several violations carry new or higher points (DWI/DWAI 11, aggravated unlicensed operation 11, passing a stopped school bus 8, work-zone speeding 8). Violations on or before Feb 15, 2026 keep the old point values. Points stay on the record as long as the conviction does and insurers may use them.

How many points before your license is at risk in New York?

11 points in 24 months: License may be suspended (persistent violator).

Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in New York?

Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) / defensive driving course: Does not dismiss the ticket or remove the conviction or points from the record. Subtracts up to 4 points when DMV calculates a point-based suspension (only points for violations in the 18 months before course completion), and cuts the base rate of auto liability and collision premiums by 10% each year for 3 years (principal operator only). Does not reduce Driver Responsibility Assessment points or prevent mandatory suspensions/revocations (DWI, DWAI, three speeding violations in 18 months). Limit: Point reduction: once in an 18-month period. Insurance discount: retake every 36 months to keep it.

How long do I have to pay or respond to a ticket in New York?

15 days from the citation. If you miss it: Late not-guilty pleas at TVB must be entered in person at a hearing office. Not answering at all leads to license suspension.

Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to New York?

New York is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to New York. Out-of-state moving-violation convictions do not add points to a NY non-commercial record, except convictions in Canada, which count like NY convictions (Quebec and Ontario convictions also count toward the DRA). Out-of-state alcohol/drug convictions bring NY revocation (at least 90 days if 21+, at least 1 year if under 21).

How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in New York?

About 11% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.

Sources

New York law and DMV sources (20)
  1. NY DMV: The New York State Driver Point System, New York State DMV.
  2. NY DMV memo P2/M1 (2026): Amended Regulations 15 NYCRR 131.3(b) and 131.4(a)-(c), changes to point values, New York State DMV.
  3. NY DMV: Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA), New York State DMV.
  4. NY DMV: Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), New York State DMV.
  5. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1180 (speed limits, fines in subd. (h)), most recent revision shown 2016-11-04, New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  6. NY Governor's Traffic Safety Committee: Penalties for Speeding, NY Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.
  7. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1809 (mandatory surcharge and crime victim assistance fee), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  8. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1809-E (additional surcharge, $28), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  9. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1809-D (work zone speeding surcharge, $50), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  10. NY DMV: About New York State Inspections (states the $88 / $93 mandatory state surcharge), New York State DMV.
  11. NY DMV: Plead To or Pay New York City (NYC) 'TVB' Traffic Tickets, New York State DMV.
  12. NY DMV: Traffic Tickets in New York State, New York State DMV.
  13. NY DMV: Tickets Received in Another State, New York State DMV.
  14. 15 NYCRR §123.7 (not guilty plea by mail within 15 days after receipt of summons) via Justia Regulations mirror, Justia (mirror of NY Codes, Rules and Regulations).
  15. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §510 (subd. 2(a)(iv) third speeding violation in 18 months, subd. 4-a suspension for failure to answer or pay), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  16. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §516 (Driver License Compact), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  17. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §517 (Interstate compact guaranteeing appearance), New York State Senate (Consolidated Laws).
  18. NY DMV: New Driver Restrictions (6-month probationary period), New York State DMV.
  19. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §503 (subd. 2(j) suspension termination fee, subd. 2(h) fee after revocation), New York State Senate.
  20. NY DMV: Insurance Lapses ($50 license suspension termination fee), New York State DMV.
Insurance sources (4)
  1. State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  2. Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  3. How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  4. How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).