With a new year on the horizon and many new laws slated to take effect, officials with the New York DMV are urging motorists to abide by the rules.

If you don’t, you could risk losing your license.

The New York DMV is about to enforce a point system that doesn’t match the law on the books.

And when I show you the discrepancy between what’s written in the official regulation versus what the DMV is about to implement in February 2026, you’re going to understand why thousands of New York drivers are about to lose their licenses without even realizing they crossed the line.

On November 6th, 2024, the state published amendments to Title 15 NYCRR section 131.3, the official regulation that governs how the DMV assigns points for traffic violations.

That’s the law.

That’s what’s on the books at Cornell Law’s Legal Information institute.

That’s what you’d find if you looked up the actual New York codes, rules, and regulations.

But according to PIX11, News Day, and multiple traffic law firms across New York State, the DMV is about to enforce a completely different set of point values when their new computer system goes live on February 18th, 2026.

The law still says one thing, but the DMV is about to enforce another.

And in the next 15 minutes, I’m going to show you exactly what that means for your license.

Before we start, if you’ve gotten a traffic ticket in New York in the last two years, comment below with what it was for.

Because what you’re about to learn might mean those points are about to count against you in ways the law doesn’t actually specify.

Let me start with the date that changes everything.

February 18th, 2026.

That’s when the New York DMV reopens after a 5-day closure to implement a new computer system.

Early next year, drivers in New York could face increased penalties for breaking the rules of the road.

Yeah, the state is making its point system a lot harder.

And that’s when, according to multiple sources, the DMV will begin enforcing point values and suspension thresholds that don’t match what’s currently written in the official regulation.

Here’s what we know for certain.

On February 13th, 2026, at 2 p.m.

, every DMV office in New York State closes.

Online services shut down.

Phone lines go dark.

According to the New York State DMV’s own announcement, they’re implementing the initial phase of a multi-year project to replace and modernize aging technology systems.

The offices reopen February 18th, 2026.

And according to PIX11, which broke the story in January 2026, the DMV is planning to enforce new point values and a new suspension threshold, 10 points within 24 months instead of the current 11 points in 18 months.

But here’s the problem.

When you look at the official regulation 15NYCRR section 131.3 as codified at Cornell Law, you don’t see most of these increases.

The law as written and published shows one set of point values, but the enforcement model that the DMV is about to implement, according to news reports and law firm analysis, shows different values, which means drivers are walking into a system where the enforcement doesn’t match the law on the books.

I have not seen DMV make such extensive uh changes to the point system ever.

And the DMV hasn’t published a clear public facing table that reconciles the official regulation with what they’re actually planning to enforce.

So here’s what you need to do right now before February 18th.

Go to the NY DMV website and check your driving record.

Look at your point total.

Understand that starting February 18th, the threshold for suspension review drops from 11 points to 10 points according to multiple sources.

and then understand that the point values for certain violations may be enforced differently than what the current regulation specifies.

Law number six.

Number six is where the discrepancy becomes obvious.

Equipment violations, broken tail lights, illegal U-turns, traffic obstruction.

According to the official regulation 15NYCRR section 131.

3 subdivision B7, these violations carry zero points.

Let me read you the exact language from Cornell Law.

The following violations shall not be assigned any point value.

Two, any violation relating to motor vehicle inspection, vehicle weights or dimensions, or vehicle equipment other than inadequate service brakes.

That’s the law.

Equipment violations, broken lights, defective signals are explicitly listed as zero point violations.

But according to WNY lawyers, Freriedman and Ranenhoffer PC, effective February 2026, equipment problems will carry one point, illegal U-turns will carry two points, obstructing traffic will carry two points, and failure to move over for emergency vehicles will carry three points.

Now, how can the DMV enforce one point for an equipment violation when the regulation says zero points? That’s the question because either the regulation has been updated in a way that hasn’t been reflected in the official Cornell law publication yet or the DMV is planning to enforce rules that exceed what the current regulation authorizes.

And here’s why that matters.

Under the reported enforcement model from PIX11, drivers who accumulate 10 points within 24 months may face suspension.

So, if the DMV starts assigning one point for equipment violations, two points for illegal U-turns, and three points for failure to move over, violations that currently carry zero points under the official regulation, you’re accumulating points toward a suspension threshold faster than the law technically allows.

Here’s what you do.

Treat every violation like it’s going to carry points regardless of what the official regulation says because starting February 18th, the DMV’s enforcement system may not match the regulation you can look up at Cornell Law.

Law number five.

Number five is cell phone use while driving.

And this is where the law versus enforcement split becomes undeniable.

According to 15NYCRR section 131.

3 subdivision B42, using a mobile telephone or portable electronic device while driving carries five points.

That’s the official regulation.

Let me show you the exact text.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of five points.

Two, any violation involving the use of a mobile telephone or portable electronic device.

Five points.

That’s what the law says.

But according to PIX11, which published a comprehensive breakdown in December 2025, the DMV enforcement model for 2026 shows cell phone use at six points.

Cohen and Jaffy LLP, a Long Island personal injury law firm that tracks DMV changes, published the same figure.

Six points for phone use under the 2026 enforcement model.

WNY lawyers published the same.

Cell phone use increases from 5 to 6 points effective February 2026.

So, we have the law saying five points and we have three separate sources.

a major New York news outlet and two traffic law firms reporting that the DMV is about to enforce six points.

That’s not a typo.

That’s a one-point discrepancy between the regulation and the reported enforcement.

And here’s why it matters.

Under the official regulation, the driver responsibility assessment DRRA fee kicks in at six points.

That’s a $100 per year fee for three years.

$300 total plus $25 per year for each additional point.

If you get one cell phone ticket under the official regulation, five points, you don’t hit the DRRA threshold.

But if the DMV enforces six points for that same violation, you’re immediately subject to a $300 fee over 3 years.

One ticket, one point difference between law and enforcement, $300.

Here’s what you do.

Don’t touch your phone while driving.

Not at a red light, not in traffic, not ever.

Because whether the official regulation says five points or the DMV enforcement system assigns six points, the outcome is the same.

You’re paying a fine, you’re paying the DRRA fee, and you’re one step closer to suspension.

If this is making sense, hit that like button.

And if you know anyone who drives in New York, share this video because the DMV isn’t advertising this discrepancy.

And most people have no idea this is coming.

Law number four.

Number four covers two violations that show the same pattern.

Following too closely and failure to yield to pedestrians.

According to the official regulation, these are four point and threepoint violations, respectively.

But according to DMV enforcement reports, they’re about to become fivepoint violations each.

Let me show you the official regulation first.

15 NYCRR section 131.

3, subdivision B52.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of four points.

two following too closely and subdivision B62.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of three points.

Two, any violation constituting a failure to yield the right of way.

That’s the law.

Following too closely equals four points, failure to yield equals three points.

But PIX11 reports that under the 2026 DMV enforcement model, following too closely increases to five points and failure to yield to a pedestrian increases to five points.

Cohen and Jaffy LLP confirms following too closely rises from four to five points.

Failure to yield to a pedestrian rises from 3 to 5 points.

So again, we have a discrepancy.

The regulation shows four and three.

The enforcement reports show five and five.

And this matters because these are extremely common violations in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, anywhere with heavy pedestrian traffic and congested roadways.

Here’s the scenario that’s about to play out.

You’re driving in Manhattan.

You follow too closely in traffic.

That’s five points under the reported enforcement model.

3 months later, you fail to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

That’s another five points under the reported enforcement model.

Total 10 points, exactly the suspension review threshold according to multiple sources.

Under the official regulation, you’d have 4 + 3 equals 7 points.

Under the reported enforcement model, you have 10 points and you’re facing a suspension hearing.

Here’s how you protect yourself.

Increase your following distance.

Give yourself at least three car lengths in city traffic.

And when you see pedestrians near a crosswalk, assume they’re going to cross.

Full stop until they’re clear.

Because whether the law says four and three or the DMV enforces five and five, the reality is this.

Multiple violations stack quickly toward the 10point threshold.

Law number three.

Number three is the violation that affects nearly every driver in New York.

speeding 1 to 10 mph over the posted limit.

According to the official regulation, this is a three-point violation, but according to multiple enforcement reports, the DMV is about to implement this as a four-point violation starting February 2026.

Here’s the official regulation.

15 NYCRR section 131.

3, subdivision B6.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of three points.

I any violation involving speed except where a different point value has been assigned.

Three points.

That’s what’s in the regulation for speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit.

But PIX11 reports speeding 1 to 10 mph over the speed limit penalty increases from 3 to four points.

WNY Lawyers confirms speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour, four points up from three.

Cohen and Jaffy LLP states speeding up to 10 mph over the limit rises from three to four points.

So, we have the official regulation saying three points and we have three separate sources reporting that the DMV is about to enforce four points.

And this is the most common traffic violation in New York State.

Going five over, going eight over, keeping up with traffic.

Here’s why this one point difference matters.

Under the official threepoint system, you could get three minor speeding tickets.

3 + 3 + 3 equals 9 points and still be under the 11point threshold for suspension review.

But under the reported four point enforcement model, two minor speeding tickets plus one other minor violation, 4 + 4 + 2 equals 10 points puts you at the suspension review threshold.

You go from three strikes to two strikes.

That’s the difference between law and enforcement.

Here’s how you adapt.

Set your cruise control at exactly the speed limit, not five over, not keeping up with traffic, the limit.

Because starting February 18th, there’s no such thing as a minor speeding ticket if the DMV is enforcing four points instead of the three points specified in the official regulation.

Quick check.

Go to the NYDMV portal right now and look at your current point total.

You need to know where you stand before February 18th.

Drop a comment if you’re close to the threshold.

I want to see how many drivers are in the danger zone.

Law number two.

Number two combines two serious violations.

Reckless driving and passing a stopped school bus.

And this is where the discrepancy between law and enforcement gets even more confusing.

Because according to the official regulation, reckless driving is a fivepoint violation, but reports say it’s about to be enforced as eight points.

Let me show you what the regulation actually says.

15 NYCRR section 131.

3, subdivision B4 I.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of five points.

I, reckless driving.

Five points.

That’s the official regulation for reckless driving.

And for school bus violations, subdivision B22 states, “The following violations shall be assigned a point value of eight points.

Two, any violation involving overtaking or passing a stopped school bus, eight points.

That one matches the enforcement reports, but WNY Lawyers states reckless driving eight points up from five.

PIX1 reports reckless driving or passing a stopped school bus penalty rises from 5 to 8 points.

So, we have school bus violations correctly listed as eight points in both the regulation and the enforcement reports.

But reckless driving shows a discrepancy.

Five points in the official regulation, eight points in the enforcement reports, and eight points is significant.

That’s 80% of the way to the 10point suspension threshold reported by multiple sources.

Here’s the scenario.

You get cited for reckless driving.

Under the official regulation, that’s five points.

But if the DMV enforces eight points as reported, you’re now at eight points with a single violation.

One more ticket for anything worth two or more points.

Illegal U-turn, obstructing traffic, equipment violation, and you’re at 10 points and facing a suspension hearing.

One major violation plus one minor violation equals potential license suspension under the reported enforcement model.

Here’s the bottom line.

Don’t drive recklessly.

Don’t try to pass school buses.

And understand that the DMV’s enforcement of these violations may not match what you’d expect from reading the official regulation.

Law number one.

And here’s number one.

The change that everyone agrees on.

The change that’s unambiguously written into the official regulation.

DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation convictions now carry 11 points.

And this one isn’t disputed.

This one is law.

Let me show you the official regulation.

15 NYCRR section 131.

3 subdivision B1.

The following violations shall be assigned a point value of 11 points.

Three.

any alcohol or dr*grelated driving conviction or incident as such term is defined by 15NYCRR section 136.

5 A1 and subdivision B12 any violation involving operation of a motor vehicle while such person’s license or privilege is suspended or revoked including conviction of section 511 of the vehicle and traffic law aggravated unlicensed operation 11 points for DWI.

11 points for AU.

That’s the law as amended November 6th, 2024.

Before November 2024, these violations carried zero points.

They came with criminal penalties, fines, license suspension, but they didn’t add to your point total.

Now they carry 11 points, the highest point value in the system.

And remember, according to multiple enforcement reports, the suspension review threshold is dropping to 10 points within 24 months, which means a single DWI conviction, 11 points, puts you over the threshold immediately.

One conviction, one hearing, potential suspension.

But here’s the part that most people don’t understand.

The DWI conviction also triggers a separate fee called the driver responsibility assessment fee for DWI, DR AF.

According to the New York DMV’s official driver responsibility assessment page, a DWI conviction results in a $750 DRF payable over 3 years.

And if you have other points on your record when you get the DWI, you could also be subject to the regular DR fee, $100 per year for 3 years for the first six points, plus $25 per year for each additional point.

WNY Lawyers reports that repeat offenders may face a combined total of $1,425 in penalties if both fees are assessed.

Here’s what this means practically.

If you have any DWI or dr*grelated driving convictions in your past, you are now operating under a system where one more conviction results in 11 points, enough to immediately trigger a suspension review.

And under the updated relicensing rules, also adopted in November 2024, permanent license revocation now occurs after four alcohol or dr*grelated convictions, down from five.

The law on this one is clear.

The regulation is explicit and the enforcement matches the regulation.

Don’t drive impaired ever.

Because starting February 2026, the consequences aren’t just criminal.

They’re administrative, they’re financial, and they’re immediate.

So, let’s bring this all together.

On February 18th, 2026, the New York DMV reopens after implementing a new computer system.

And according to multiple reports from PIX11, News Day, Cohen and Jaffy, and WNY lawyers, the DMV will begin enforcing a point system that doesn’t entirely match what’s written in the official regulation you can look up at Cornell Law.

Here’s what the official regulation says.

Cell phone, five points.

Following too closely, four points.

Failure to yield, three points.

Speeding 1 to 10 mph, three points.

Equipment violations, zero points.

Reckless driving, five points.

DWI/ AUO, 11 points.

School bus, A points.

Work zone speeding, A points.

Here’s what multiple law firms and DMV enforcement briefings say.

The February 2026 system is being built to apply, even though the official regulation does not yet reflect all of these values.

Cell phone, six points.

Following too closely, five points.

Failure to yield to pedestrian, five points.

Speeding 1 to 10 mph, four points.

Equipment violations, one point.

Illegal U-turns, two points.

Obstructing traffic, two points.

Failure to move over for emergency, three points.

Reckless driving, eight points.

That’s why this is dangerous.

The DMV is rolling out an enforcement system before publishing a reconciled public table that shows which of these values are actually live in the suspension threshold.

Official regulation 11 points in 18 months per historical standard.

Reported enforcement 10 points in 24 months per PIX11 Cohen and Jaffy WNY lawyers.

The core problem.

The law still says one thing, but the DMV is about to enforce another.

And drivers are walking into a system where the look back period is longer, 24 months instead of 18.

The suspension threshold is lower, 10 points instead of 11.

The point values may be higher than what the regulation specifies.

The enforcement model doesn’t match what you can verify at Cornell Law.

What you need to do right now, check your driving record at the NYDMV portal, dmv.

ny.

gov.

Understand your current point total.

Assume worst case enforcement.

If there’s a discrepancy between the regulation and the reports, assume the DMV will enforce the higher value.

Drive defensively.

Don’t speed.

Don’t use your phone.

Don’t follow too closely.

Don’t fail to yield because every violation now stacks toward a 10-point threshold that you can hit faster than ever.

Consider a defensive driving course.

The point and insurance reduction program, PRP, can reduce up to four points from your driving record.

But timing matters.

Take it before you accumulate more points.

Consult a traffic attorney if you get a ticket.

The stakes are higher now.

The margin for error is smaller and the enforcement system may not match the regulation.

The bottom line.

Starting February 18th, 2026, when the DMV’s new computer system goes live, the point system you thought you understood may not be the system they enforce.

The law says one thing, the enforcement model says another.

And you’re the one who pays the price if you don’t adapt.

If this video helped you understand what’s coming, do three things.

Like this video so it reaches more New York drivers.

Subscribe to this channel for updates on how the February 18th roll out actually plays out and share this with anyone you know who drives in New York because the DMV isn’t making this discrepancy public and most people have no idea this is happening.

I’ve put all the source links in the description.

Cornell Law’s official 15NYCRR section 131.

3 regulation PIX11’s coverage of the enforcement changes.

Cohen and Jaffy’s analysis.

WNY lawyers breakdown.

The NYDMV’s announcement about the February closure.

Go verify everything I’ve shown you.

Check the official regulation.

Read the news reports.

See the discrepancy for yourself.

Because in New York in 2026, knowing the law isn’t enough anymore.

You need to know what the DMV is actually going to enforce.

Stay safe, drive smart, and understand that the system is changing under your