Three Speeding Tickets in 18 Months = License Revocation
Updated for 2026: New York changed its point system on February 16, 2026. The three-ticket rule below did not change. But points now count longer, and work zone tickets carry more points. Both make it easier to lose your license.
Many drivers think they're safe as long as their points stay low. That's not how it works. New York has a separate rule that counts tickets, not points. Three speeding convictions in 18 months can cost you your license, even with only 9 points.
Three Speeding Tickets in 18 Months = License Revocation
Under New York law, three speeding convictions for violations within 18 months lead to a mandatory license revocation. This also applies to misdemeanor traffic violations. You face this on top of the fines and surcharges each ticket carries.
Points don't matter here. Three tickets for 1–10 mph over add up to just 9 points, under the 11 points that trigger a point-based suspension. Your license is still revoked.
The 18 Months Are Counted From the Ticket Dates
Some drivers try to delay their cases so the tickets "expire." That doesn't work. The DMV looks at the dates of the violations, not the dates you were convicted.
If all three tickets were written within 18 months, the revocation applies once you're convicted of the third, even if that conviction comes years later.
New in 2026: You Now Have Two Clocks to Watch
The 2026 changes made points count for 24 months. The three-ticket rule still uses 18 months. Different rules now use different time windows:
| Rule | Time window | What triggers it | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three speeding tickets | 18 months | 3 speeding or misdemeanor traffic convictions | Mandatory revocation (at least 6 months) |
| Two work zone tickets | 18 months | 2 work zone speeding convictions | 60-day suspension |
| Point total | 24 months | 11 or more points | License may be suspended |
| Driver Responsibility Assessment | 18 months | 6 or more points | Extra DMV fee, paid over 3 years |
Here's how the clocks can work together:
- March 2026: 5 mph over. 3 points.
- January 2027: 25 mph over. 6 points.
- December 2027: 15 mph over. 4 points.
The first and last tickets are 21 months apart, so the three-ticket rule doesn't apply. But all three fall within 24 months, so the total is 13 points. That's over 11, and your license could be suspended. Under the old 18-month rule, the first ticket would no longer have counted.
The first two tickets also fall within 18 months and total 9 points. That triggers a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $525.
A Revocation Is More Serious Than a Suspension
A suspension takes your license away for a set time, then it can be restored. A revocation cancels your license. A three-ticket revocation lasts at least 6 months and can be longer depending on your record.
When it ends, you must reapply to the DMV. There's no guarantee you'll get your license back.
Some drivers don't know they've been revoked, especially if they missed the DMV notice. Driving while revoked is called aggravated unlicensed operation (AUO). It's a crime. You can be arrested, fined, and jailed. Since February 2026, an AUO conviction also adds 11 points to your record.
Two Work Zone Speeding Tickets in 18 Months = License Suspension
Speeding in a work zone is treated even more strictly. Two convictions for work zone speeding within 18 months lead to a 60-day suspension (VTL § 510(2)(b)(xiii)). This is a suspension, not a revocation. A third speeding conviction of any kind within the same 18 months leads to revocation.
The 2026 changes raised the stakes here too. Every work zone speeding ticket is now 8 points, no matter how fast you were going. One ticket alone puts you over 6 points and triggers a Driver Responsibility Assessment. Two tickets add up to 16 points, which is also over the 11-point suspension line.
CDL Holders Face Separate Penalties
Commercial drivers face federal rules on top of New York's. Two "serious traffic violations" within 3 years lead to a 60-day disqualification. Three lead to 120 days. Speeding 15 mph or more over the limit counts as a serious violation.
The violations must come from separate incidents. Two tickets from the same traffic stop don't count as two.
Already Pleaded Guilty? It May Not Be Too Late
If you've already been convicted, you may still be able to avoid the revocation. A lawyer can ask the court to vacate the conviction or guilty plea. If the court agrees, the case starts over. The lawyer may then be able to negotiate the ticket down to a non-speeding offense.
This option isn't available in every court. Motions to vacate cannot be made at the Traffic Violations Bureau in the five boroughs of NYC.
What to Do Next
- Check your driving record on MyDMV and note the dates of any speeding tickets in the last 18 months.
- Don't plead guilty by mail. Each conviction can bring you closer to revocation.
- Talk to a lawyer before your court date, especially if this is your second or third ticket.
If you have two or more speeding tickets within 18 months, or a work zone ticket, your license is on the line. Call Rosenblum Law at 888-883-5529 for a free consultation.
