You are reading

NY Driver’s Licenses Will No Longer Be Suspended for Unpaid Traffic Tickets

iStock

June 30, 2021 By Ryan Songalia

New York drivers no longer need to worry about having their licenses suspended due to unpaid tickets.

The Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act took effect Tuesday, with all suspensions related to unpaid traffic and parking fines being lifted automatically.

The new law will end license suspensions due to non-payment of traffic fines, while making affordable payment plans available.

Drivers who have been hit with fines can enter into a payment plan of $25 a month or 2 percent of their net monthly income, whichever is greater. The plan is also available to drivers whose licenses were suspended.

“The Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act will finally begin the first step of addressing the disproportionately harsh outcomes that occur when a driver without financial means accumulates too much traffic debt,” said Assemblymember Pamela Hunter of Syracuse, the bill’s Assembly sponsor.

“Suspending a license for failure to pay a fine does nothing but punish low-income families that are disproportionately people of color. An income-based payment plan is fair and ensures everyone has an opportunity to resolve their license issues.”

The Department of Motor Vehicles will be sending written notices to those who have had their licenses suspended due to unpaid fines—and to inform them that they can enter into a payment plan.

The bill also addresses those whose licenses were suspended for failing to appear in court. Those people can go to the DMV or traffic court and state that they are there to clear their suspension and enter into a payment plan.

Licenses can still be suspended for other reasons, including driving under the influence, not having liability insurance or failure to pay child support.

The bill was introduced in 2019 after nearly 1.7 million driver’s licenses were suspended in New York between January 2016 and April 2018 due to non-payment and non-appearances, according to the Fines and Fees Justice Center.

The bill passed the State Assembly and Senate in July of 2020 before being signed in to law last December by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The legislation was co-sponsored by a number of Queens elected officials, including David Weprin and Catalina Cruz in the Assembly, and Jessica Ramos, Mike Gianaris and John Liu in the Senate.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Kassem Soueidan

This report is a joke
You can always make a payments plan. Also what is about is you reject the payment
It is not even in the report
Always confusion

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

JFK Airport contractors arrested for stealing $70K in copper wire after Port Authority sting: DA

Two Queens contractors were arrested by officers from the Port Authority Police Department on Saturday for allegedly stealing copper wire from a warehouse at JFK Airport.

Anildat Arnold, 46, of 114th Street in South Ozone Park, and Vejai Ramsarup, 54, of 214th Street in Queens Village, were separately arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday on a six-count criminal court complaint charging them with grand larceny, burglary, and criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing approximately 1,100 feet of copper cable wire valued at more than $70,000. The defendants were busted after they tried to steal an additional 150 feet of wire from the warehouse.

Spring blooms bright in Queens: your guide to cherry blossom hotspots around the borough

Apr. 1, 2025 By Jessica Militello

Cherry blossoms are already blooming across Queens, marking the arrival of spring. The sight of the delicate pink flowers marks the start of the special season in Queens, letting admirers take photos or simply appreciate the cherry blossoms’ beauty. The season, while brief, offers a chance to slow down and enjoy nature’s beauty and appreciate its fleeting nature. The cherry blossom isn’t just pretty to look at; the flower has tons of symbolism and history to learn about to make you enjoy them even more this Spring.