Drivers across New York State need to prepare for a major overhaul of traffic rules that will take effect in just a few weeks. Governor Kathy Hochul officially adopted these changes earlier this year as part of her broader safety agenda. With the start date set for February 2026, motorists have very little time left to adjust to these strict new standards before risking their licenses.
The updates aim to improve road safety but they also mean that losing your driving privileges will be much easier than before. Officials state that the goal is to clear a path for residents to realize the New York dream by ensuring safer travel for everyone. However, critics argue that the new penalties are incredibly harsh, especially for minor infractions.
Table of Contents
License Suspension Threshold Lowered
The most significant change for daily commuters involves the point system used to suspend licenses. Under the current rules, a driver faces suspension if they accumulate 11 points within an 18 month period. This system allowed for some leeway before the state intervened to take a driver off the road.
Starting in February 2026, the state is making the window for suspension much wider while lowering the point limit. You will face suspension after receiving just 10 points within a 24 month period. This means points stay on your record longer for suspension purposes and you have fewer points to spare before losing your license.
Speed Limit Penalties Intensify
One of the most controversial updates is the stricter penalty for driving just slightly over the speed limit. Currently, driving 1 to 10 mph over the limit results in 3 points on your license. Under the new guidelines, this penalty increases to 4 points.
Since the suspension threshold is dropping to 10 points, three low-level speeding tickets in two years will now result in an automatic suspension. Previously, a driver could technically survive three such tickets without losing their license. This change effectively creates a zero tolerance policy for even minor speeding infractions.
Cracking Down on Distracted Driving
The state is also increasing penalties for dangerous habits like using a cell phone while driving. The penalty for this violation is rising from 5 points to 6 points. This reflects a growing concern over distracted driving and its contribution to accidents statewide.
Other serious offenses are seeing even steeper hikes. Reckless driving and passing a stopped school bus will now carry a penalty of 8 points, up from the previous 5 points. A single mistake involving a school bus will now leave a driver teetering on the edge of license suspension with only 2 points remaining on their record.
New Penalties for Minor Violations
Violations that were previously considered minor or only carried fines are now being added to the point system. For instance, equipment violations like broken lights or loud exhausts will now add 1 point to your license. Illegal U-turns and obstructing traffic will each incur 2 points.
New lane usage laws are also coming into play. A new law bans drivers from lingering in the left lane, with violators facing a $100 fine and four points on their license. Additionally, during snow events, a ban on two-wheel drive vehicles could result in $750 tickets if drivers ignore safety warnings.
Summary of Point System Changes
Here is the list of specific point increases and values that will apply starting February 2026:
- Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit rises to 4 points
- Using a cell phone while driving rises to 6 points
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian rises to 5 points
- Reckless driving rises to 8 points
- Passing a stopped school bus rises to 8 points
- Failure to move over for emergency vehicles is 3 points
- Illegal U-turns are 2 points
- Obstructing traffic is 2 points
- Equipment violations are 1 point
Comparison of Penalties
The table below illustrates the difference between the current rules and the upcoming changes.
| Violation | Current Points (Until Jan 2026) | New Points (From Feb 2026) |
| Suspension Limit | 11 pts in 18 months | 10 pts in 24 months |
| Speeding (1-10 mph over) | 3 | 4 |
| Cell Phone Use | 5 | 6 |
| Failure to Yield | 3 | 5 |
| Reckless Driving | 5 | 8 |
| Passing School Bus | 5 | 8 |
| Illegal U-Turn | 0 | 2 |
| Left Lane Violation | Varies | 4 |
