By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 20, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
New York doesn’t dismiss tickets with a course. Instead it runs the Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP): a 6-hour DMV-approved defensive driving course that takes up to 4 points off the count used for suspension and, by law, cuts your auto insurance base rate 10% for three years. That matters more than ever since February 16, 2026, when New York tightened its point system to 10 points in 24 months. These guides cover the course, the new points rules, ticket costs, looking up tickets, and NYC’s Traffic Violations Bureau.
New York at a glance
- Regulator: NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Course: 6-hour PIRP, online or classroom, about $24–$35 plus an $8 DMV fee
- Points: up to 4 excluded from the suspension count; once every 18 months
- Insurance: 10% off liability and collision base rates for 3 years; required by law; renewable every 36 months
- Suspension (since Feb 16, 2026): 10 points within 24 months (previously 11 in 18)
- Driver Responsibility Assessment: 6+ points brings an annual DMV fee for 3 years
- NYC tickets: handled by the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau, where plea bargains aren’t available
Start here
- NY defensive driving course (PIRP) online: what it does, what it costs, who should take it.
- NY points system (2026 rules): points per ticket, how long they count, the 10-point suspension, the DRA.
- Best and cheapest online defensive driving course in NY
- How much is a speeding ticket in NY?
Our pick for New York
iDriveSafely Our pick for NY
$24 + $8 DMV fee- NYS DMV-approved 6-hour PIRP course, online, text or video
- $24 with code CP24 at the time of writing (list $59), plus the $8 NY DMV fee
- Completion reported to DMV electronically; same day if finished by 4 p.m. ET
- Up to 4 points off the suspension count; 10% insurance discount for 3 years
- 4.7/5 from 19,000+ reviews
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
More New York guides
- NY traffic ticket lookup
- NYC Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB): pay, plead, hearings
- AAA defensive driving course in New York
New York FAQ
Can a defensive driving course dismiss a ticket in New York?
No. PIRP reduces the points counted toward suspension and earns the insurance discount; the ticket itself is decided in court or at the TVB. Outside NYC, prosecutors often offer a reduced charge; inside NYC, the TVB doesn’t plea bargain.
Can I take the NY defensive driving course online?
Yes. DMV-approved online PIRP courses are reported to the DMV electronically.
Do I need a ticket to take it?
No. Many drivers take it only for the 10% insurance discount.
What changed in New York’s point system in 2026?
Since February 16, 2026, suspension is reviewed at 10 points within 24 months (instead of 11 within 18), and several violations carry more points. Details.
Sources: NYS DMV (PIRP, point system and Traffic Violations Bureau); NY Insurance Law §2336 and Vehicle & Traffic Law; 2026 point system amendments as reported by DMV-approved providers and NY traffic attorneys. Confirm current rules at dmv.ny.gov.