New York Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
8 common New York violations with typical fine ranges, plus how the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles points.
🔎New York Traffic Fines at a Glance
- Typical fines
- $50–$1,500
- Point system
- Yes
- Traffic school
- Available
- Records kept by
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Of the 8 New York violations below, the lowest typical fine is for seat belt violation ($50–$100) and the highest is for driving without insurance ($150–$1,500).
Speeding fines climb across 3 tiers, from $90–$300 (speeding 1–10 mph over) to $360–$1,200 (speeding 31+ mph over).
Ranges only, not legal advice. Your actual New York fine depends on the county, the court, and your record, and court costs are added on top. For a criminal charge such as DUI or reckless driving, consult a licensed New York attorney.
📋Common New York Violations & Typical Fines
Base-fine ranges; New York court costs are extra.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–10 MPH over Plus mandatory $88–$93 NY State surcharge added to every conviction. 3 points | $90–$300 |
Speeding 11–30 MPH over 4–6 points | $180–$600 |
Speeding 31+ MPH over May be charged as misdemeanor reckless driving — consult an attorney. 8–11 points | $360–$1,200 |
Running a red light Camera-issued red-light tickets in NYC are typically $50 (no points). 3 points | $190–$300 |
Running a stop sign 3 points | $150–$300 |
Seat belt violation | $50–$100 |
Hand-held cell phone (1st offense) $50–$250 for second offense within 18 months; $50–$450 for third. 5 points | $50–$200 |
Driving without insurance Plus 90-day license and registration suspension and a civil penalty. | $150–$1,500 |
Estimate what your New York ticket will really cost
The fine on the ticket is rarely the total. Pick the violation to add court costs, points, suspension risk and the likely insurance impact in New York.
Plus mandatory $88–$93 NY State surcharge added to every conviction.
Pick the speeding tier that matches how fast you were going over the limit. New York typically breaks speeding into different tiers — choose the right one above for the most accurate estimate.
Based on the fine ranges listed on this page. Open the full estimator to compare other states.
🎯How New York's Point System Works
New York DMV assesses violation points (3–11 depending on severity) for moving violations. Points are calculated from the date of violation, not the date of conviction, and remain visible on your driving record for 4 years.
11 points within an 18-month period triggers a mandatory hearing and likely license suspension. New York also imposes a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $100/year for 3 years on drivers who accumulate 6+ points in 18 months.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
NY Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP, also called the Defensive Driving Course) — 6-hour course that reduces 4 points and provides a 10% insurance discount for 3 years. Cost is $30–$60. Available once every 18 months.
📝Got a New York Ticket?
- Before paying a moving violation, check whether you qualify for New York's traffic-school option (see above) — it can keep the conviction off your record.
- Each conviction counts toward New York's suspension threshold, so a cheap ticket can still matter.
🔗Official New York Sources
For exact, current penalties, check the official New York sources:
Sourced from public New York statutes and New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publications; may not reflect the latest amendments. usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), any New York court, or any law enforcement agency. Full disclaimer.