FAQ

Points on your record count for DMV purposes for 18 months from the date of the offense. Insurance companies will look at the date of conviction and can raise rates for a minimum of 36 months after.

The Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), approved by the DMV, is available through private companies called “course sponsors,” throughout New York State. If you complete an approved PIRP course, you may be eligible to reduce as many as 4 points on your driving record. The DMV computer will automatically note your eligibility to receive the reduction.

ou can take the class online or in a traditional classroom setting. Regardless of which method you choose, the course is 6 hours long. The cost of the courses vary, but many online sponsors offer the course for under $30.

For example, see:

• www.Newyorksafetycouncil.com
• www.newyorkdefensivedriving.com

The course sponsor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after you complete the course. The DMV will then automatically reduce your point total by up to four points. It is important to note that completion of the PIRP course does not remove, subtract, or clear any violation, conviction, or notice of original points from your license. Even after you complete the course, most violations, convictions and points assessed will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years. Convictions for drunk or drugged driving will remain on your driving record for ten or 15 years, depending on the violation. “Point reduction” means the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license suspension or revocation.

Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the 18 months immediately before the course completion date. It does not affect points for further violations, and cannot be used as credit toward future violations. If your license has already been suspended or revoked, or if a violation hearing has already been scheduled by the DMV, point reduction will not affect that action. Point reduction does not prevent or cancel a mandatory suspension or revocation for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or 3 speeding tickets within 18 months.

Points may be reduced only once in any 18 month period. The DMV point system and insurance company point systems are separate and unrelated. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points assessed by your insurance company for violations and accidents.

Yes. Failure to pay the assessment will result in further suspension of your license or privilege. Many people fail to realize that one’s license can be suspended more than once. I have had clients with over 25 suspensions in different jurisdictions. Unfortunately, completion of the PIRP course cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting a “Driver Responsibility Assessment.

You should receive a completion certificate within 45 days of completion of the course. If you present the certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. You may take the course once every 36 months to maintain the insurance benefits.

No. Point reduction does not prevent premium increases in general, or even premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10% reduction for 3 years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault, and collision premiums.

You may be able to adjourn or delay your traffic ticket hearing, but points are assessed against your driving record based on the date you committed the violation, not the date you were convicted in court. If you accumulate 11 or more points in 18 months, you will be called to a DMV hearing, which may result in the suspension or revocation of your license.

If you still have more questions relating to how long a speeding ticket will stay on your record or about points, contact our office today at (845) 499-2301 and let an experienced traffic attorney help.

If you are unsure of whether or not you should plead guilty for a ticket you received you should consider getting a free consultation from an attorney. Many tickets do not require a guilty plea, but to know for sure what your best options are it always pays to speak with a licensed new york traffic ticket attorney. If you have any questions please call us at 845-499-2301.

When appearing in a court room it is best to show respect to the judge and the legal system by dressing appropriatly. We recommend wearing what you would to an interview.

If you aren’t going to call your attorney first, we recommend looking up your ticket online and seeing if there are any points, fees, or a potential loss of license. You should know this before appearing in court and it is helpful if you know this information before calling your attorney.

We keep a list of courts we serve on this page.

If you disagree with the ticket you received you will need to appear in court and either you or your attorney will address any discrepencies within the ticket.