Driver Responsibility Program
A change to the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law requires drivers who are convicted of specific traffic violations to pay an assessment to the DMV. The Driver Responsibility Program applies to all drivers who operate, or operated, a motor vehicle in the State of New York, regardless of the state the motorist is licensed in. The purpose of the Driver Responsibility Program is to prevent the repeated behavior of problem drivers and to improve traffic safety.
What is a driver responsibility assessment?
In addition to any fines, fees, penalties, or surcharges that you pay for a traffic conviction, you must pay the driver responsibility assessment. The assessment is an amount that you must pay each year for three years. You pay the assessment to the DMV.
Who must pay a driver responsibility assessment?
You can have NYS driver responsibility assessments to pay if you have a driver license in NYS or a driver license from another state and you have driver incidents in NYS.
You must pay the driver responsibility assessment if any of the following incidents occur in NYS:
- you are convicted of an alcohol-related traffic violation and the violation occurred on or after November 18, 2004 (includes boats and snowmobiles); or
- you are convicted of a drug-related traffic violation and the violation occurred on or after November 18, 2004 (includes boats and snowmobiles); or
- a DMV hearing determines that you refused a chemical test and the refusal occurred on or after November 18, 2004 (includes boats and snowmobiles); or
- you receive six or more points on your NYS driver record during a period of 18 months and the violations occurred on or after November 18, 2004.
How do I know if I must pay the driver responsibility assessment?
If you must pay an assessment, the DMV will send a statement to you. The statement will display the information that you will need to pay the assessment.
What is the amount of the driver responsibility assessment?
The amount of a driver responsibility assessment depends on the type of violation and the total of your driver violation points. If you are convicted of a traffic violation that is alcohol-related or drug-related, or if you refuse a chemical test, the annual assessment is $250. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $750.
If you receive six points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $100. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $300. If you receive more than six points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $25 for each point more than the original six points. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $75 for each point more than the original six points.
Note: You can pay the three annual assessments in the first year or the last two annual assessments in the second year. If you pay the total amount in one payment, you will not receive another annual statement for that assessment.