Driving Tests

New Driver Probation in NY: 6 Months, Points and Suspensions

informational·how to guide·Published May 21, 2026

What is the 6-month probation for new drivers in New York?

In New York, probation lasts 6 months after you pass the road test or restore a revoked license. A conviction for speeding, reckless driving, following too closely, a speed contest or any 2 other moving violations brings a 60-day suspension; a phone or texting conviction brings 120 days. After the 60-day suspension, a second 6-month probation starts. A listed violation in it means revocation for at least 6 months.

Where the New York probation rules come from

The probation rules come from the New York DMV new driver restrictions page and the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). The junior penalties come from the DMV graduated license law page, and the phone points and the Driver Responsibility Assessment also use the DMV driver license points and penalties page. The new driver page lists phone use among the 60-day convictions; this guide uses the 120-day phone suspension that the manual and the graduated license page set. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) before you drive.

Who is on probation after the road test?

Probation starts when you pass the road test or get a license back after a revocation. The Driver's Manual applies it to drivers who are 18 or older at that time. Drivers with a junior permit or a Class DJ junior license have their own penalty rules, shown further down. The guide to New York junior license rules covers their hour, passenger and New York City limits.

What happens after a violation during probation

1
First 6 months: a listed conviction
A conviction for speeding, a speed contest, reckless driving, following too closely or any 2 other moving violations suspends your license for 60 days. The manual also lists DWAI (alcohol) in this group.
2
Second 6-month probation
A new 6-month probation begins as soon as the 60-day suspension ends.
3
Another listed violation
One of the same violations, or 2 other moving violations, during the second probation revokes your license for at least 6 months.
4
Revocation ends
If your license is restored, you serve another 6-month probation.

Example: a speeding ticket 3 months after the road test

Say you are 20 and passed the road test 3 months ago. You are convicted of driving 15 mph over the limit. Your license is suspended for 60 days, and the ticket puts 4 points on your record. When the suspension ends, a second 6-month probation starts, so one more speeding conviction in it means revocation for at least 6 months. Try the free practice question on speeding during probation.

Phone and texting rules for new and junior drivers

Talking on a hand-held phone while you drive is a traffic infraction, except for a call to 911 or other emergency services.
Sending or reading texts or e-mails on a phone or other portable device while you drive is illegal.
A phone or texting conviction adds 5 points to your record, and a first offense can bring a fine of up to $200 (U.S. dollars).
On a probationary license, a junior permit or a junior license, a first phone or texting conviction brings a 120-day suspension. The free practice question on a junior texting conviction tests this rule.
A second conviction within 6 months after the license comes back brings a revocation of at least 1 year for a probationary or Class DJ license.

Junior permit and junior license penalties

You hold a junior permit or junior license and are convicted of 1 serious traffic violation or 2 other violations

Your permit, license or privileges are suspended for 60 days. A serious traffic violation is normally one that carries 3 or more points.

The same happens within the first 6 months after your privileges come back

Your junior permit, license or privileges are revoked for 60 days.

Your junior permit is suspended or revoked before your road test

That time does not count toward the 6 months that you must hold the permit before you can schedule a road test.

Point values for common New York violations

Point values for common New York violations
Violation	Points
Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit	3
Speeding 11 to 20 mph over the limit	4
Speeding 21 to 30 mph over the limit	6
Red light	3
Reckless driving	5
Improper cell phone use	5
Texting on a portable electronic device	5
Most other moving violations	2

How New York points lead to a suspension

Points count from the date of the violation, not the date of the conviction. If you get 11 or more points within 24 months, the DMV tells you by mail that your license will be suspended. The practice question on the point total that leads to a suspension tests this rule. A DMV-approved defensive driving course can cut up to 4 points from your point total and up to 10 percent from your auto liability and collision insurance premiums.

The Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA)

You pay a DRA over 3 years if you are convicted of certain traffic offenses in New York or get 6 or more points within 18 months.
For 6 points in any 18-month period, you pay $100 each year for 3 years. Each extra point in that period adds $25 each year for 3 years.
A DWI or DWAI conviction, or a refusal to take a chemical test, brings $250 each year for 3 years.
Example: 4 points for driving 15 mph over the limit and 2 points for another moving violation within 18 months make 6 points, so you pay $100 a year for 3 years. With 7 points, you pay $125 a year.

Key takeaways

Probation lasts 6 months after you pass the road test or restore a revoked license.
Speeding, reckless driving, following too closely, a speed contest or any 2 other moving violations bring a 60-day suspension and a second 6-month probation. A repeat in the second probation means revocation for at least 6 months.
A phone or texting conviction on a probationary or junior license brings a 120-day suspension and 5 points.
11 or more points within 24 months leads to a suspension. 6 or more points within 18 months brings a Driver Responsibility Assessment.
Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free New York Class D permit practice test.

New York probation and points: common questions

How much does it cost to get my license back after a suspension?

In most cases, a license suspended for a set time, such as 60 days, comes back only after you pay a non-refundable $50 suspension termination fee. A Zero Tolerance Law suspension costs a $125 civil penalty and a $100 fee. After a revocation, you pay a non-refundable $100 fee to reapply in most cases, but not after a revocation for driving without insurance.

Can I use a hands-free phone while I drive on probation?

Yes. In New York, a driver can use a hands-free phone at any time. The ban covers holding the phone to talk and texting, except a call to 911 or other emergency services. On a probationary or junior license, one hand-held phone or texting conviction can cost you your license for 120 days.

Is a speeding ticket serious for a junior license holder?

Yes. A serious traffic violation is normally one with 3 or more points, and even speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit carries 3 points. One such conviction suspends a junior permit or license for 60 days. If it happens within 6 months after the license comes back, the license is revoked for 60 days.

Does a defensive driving course stop a probation suspension?

No. A DMV-approved point reduction course cannot prevent a mandatory suspension or revocation, such as the 60-day probation suspension. It can lower your point total by up to 4 points and can cut your insurance premiums, but it does not prevent or reduce a Driver Responsibility Assessment.

What happens if I do not pay the Driver Responsibility Assessment?

Your learner permit, driver license or driving privileges are suspended. The assessment is a separate charge on top of any fines and fees for the ticket. You pay it each year for 3 years, for example $100 a year after 6 points in 18 months.