A vacation in New York State is a long but very much doable drive for many Ohioans. Whether you are planning to see the sights of NYC, visit Long Island’s beaches, or check out Upstate NY’s many attractions, taking your own car is a great idea.
But be careful! For Ohio drivers, getting a traffic ticket while in New York can put a serious damper on your trip. That’s because both states are part of the Driver’s License Compact, an agreement that allows them and other states to share driver information, including about traffic citations issued out of state.
Will an Ohio Driver Get Points for a New York Traffic Ticket?
On the plus side, Ohio drivers do not receive points on their license from their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for the out-of-state traffic violations. Unfortunately, any convictions for those violations still end up on their driving record. Moreover, New York State will assess points using its own point system and this can have an equally negative impact.
An Ohio Driver’s Auto Insurance Can Increase for a NY Traffic Ticket
Ohio’s BMV isn’t the only organization that will find out about an out of state traffic violation; your insurance carrier will as well. All auto insurers have access to customer driving records. While it’s unclear how often insurers update their records, it is inevitable that they will request updated driving records. Once they do, any out of state traffic convictions will show up and your premiums will be impacted as though the violation occurred in Ohio.
Fines & Surcharges for a New York Traffic Ticket
The agreement between Ohio and New York allows the latter to set the fine for the violation. New York is a costly state for almost any traffic ticket. Not only does NY impose a fine—usually about $150, but steep fines of $300 or more are not uncommon—but it also requires drivers to pay a mandatory state surcharge. This typically costs about $93 per violation.
Even worse, if the ticket (or tickets) carry six points or more, drivers will be slapped with what NY calls a Driver Responsibility Assessment. The assessment—or DRA—starts at $100 per year for three years. Each point over six adds another $25 per year. Ohio drivers who are charged a DRA will have to pay every year regardless of whether they or not they ever visit NY again.
An Ohio Driver’s NY Driving Privileges Can be Suspended for a NY Ticket
This is where Ohio drivers get hit the hardest. If you commit an offense or multiple offenses that result in 11 or more points under New York’s point system, you will be barred from driving in the state.
It’s easier than you think to reach 11 points. For example, some very common violations impose five points, such as cell phone tickets, texting while driving tickets, and failing to stop for a school. Combine that with a six-point violation, such as driving 21 mph over the speed limit, and you are facing a suspension of driving privileges.
Moreover, according to Section 4510.17 of the Ohio Revised Code, an Ohio driver can have his license suspended altogether upon:
In other words, if you plead guilty to or are convicted of DWI/DUI, DWAI, or any other drug- or alcohol-related offense in NY, your Ohio driver’s license will be suspended.
Similarly, under Section 4510.71 of the Ohio Revised Code, if an Ohio driver fails to respond to an out-of-state traffic ticket he/she will have his/her Ohio license suspended—that means no driving in any state, period.
Although it might be tempting to simply plead guilty and pay the fine, doing so will not make these negative consequences go away. In fact, the conviction is the very thing that brings most of them on.
If you recently received a New York traffic ticket, contact Rosenblum Law today at 888-883-5529.
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