Drivers across New York state need to prepare for a major overhaul of traffic laws that will make keeping a license much harder. With the new year approaching, state officials are finalizing a crackdown that targets speeding, distracted driving, and pedestrian safety. These changes are set to take effect in just a few weeks, starting in February 2026.
Governor Kathy Hochul originally proposed this comprehensive plan as part of her agenda to improve road safety and reduce accidents statewide. The new regulations significantly lower the threshold for license suspension and increase the penalty points for common infractions. If you drive in New York, even going 1 mile per hour over the limit could now have more serious consequences for your driving record.
Table of Contents
Tighter Speeding Penalties Kick In
The headline change that is catching many drivers off guard is the stricter penalty for minor speeding violations. Under the current system, going 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit results in three points on your license. However, starting in February 2026, this will increase to four points. This means that a minor slip of the foot on the gas pedal will now carry a heavier weight.
Police officers will have the authority to pull over drivers who exceed the speed limit by just 1 mile per hour. While officers have always had discretion, the increased point penalty turns these minor stops into significant events. Accumulating points faster means drivers are at greater risk of hitting the suspension threshold sooner than they might expect.
Crackdown on Distracted Driving and Pedestrians
Speeding is not the only focus of this new legislation. The state is also taking a harder stance on distracted driving. Using a cell phone while behind the wheel is already illegal, but the penalty is getting steeper. The punishment for this offense will rise from five points to six points. This change reflects the growing concern over accidents caused by drivers looking at their screens instead of the road.
Pedestrian safety is another major priority in this update. Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians will face harsher consequences as well. The penalty for this violation is jumping from three points to five points. This significant increase aims to protect people walking in busy intersections and crosswalks across the state.
School Bus and Emergency Vehicle Rules
The most severe point increases are reserved for actions that endanger the most vulnerable road users. Reckless driving and illegally passing a stopped school bus are seen as some of the most dangerous behaviors. To deter this, the state is raising the penalty for these specific offenses from five points to a staggering eight points.
This massive jump means that committing just one of these violations puts a driver perilously close to losing their license. Additionally, failing to move over for emergency vehicles will continue to incur penalties, adding three points to a license. These strict measures are designed to ensure that school zones and emergency scenes remain safe for everyone involved.
New License Suspension Thresholds
Perhaps the most critical change for habitual offenders is the adjustment to how suspensions are handled. Currently, a driver faces license suspension if they accumulate 11 points within an 18 month period. The new rules make it much easier to lose driving privileges.
Starting in February 2026, the suspension threshold will drop to 10 points. Furthermore, the time window for these points will extend to 24 months. This two year lookback period, combined with the lower point limit and higher penalties for individual offenses, means that drivers will need to be on their best behavior for much longer to avoid suspension.
Additional Violations and Penalties
While the major infractions are getting the spotlight, there are several other penalties included in the new rules.
- Illegal U turns will result in 2 points.
- Obstructing traffic will result in 2 points.
- Equipment violations will incur 1 point each.
- Failure to move over for emergency vehicles results in 3 points.
Comparison of Current and Future Penalties
The table below outlines how the points for specific violations are changing from the current system to the new rules taking effect in 2026.
| Violation Type | Current Penalty Points | New Penalty Points (Feb 2026) |
| Speeding (1 to 10 mph over) | 3 Points | 4 Points |
| Using a Cell Phone | 5 Points | 6 Points |
| Failure to Yield to Pedestrian | 3 Points | 5 Points |
| Reckless Driving | 5 Points | 8 Points |
| Passing Stopped School Bus | 5 Points | 8 Points |
| Suspension Threshold | 11 Points in 18 Months | 10 Points in 24 Months |
