New York

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New York. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

New York
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders 1 year or older and under 14. Children under 1 prohibited.

New York
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1967.

New York
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

New York
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

New York
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

New York
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

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Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

55

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Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

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Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

55

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Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55

New York
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.18

New York
Administrative license suspension on first offense

Yes

New York
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

New York
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

New York
Open container laws

Yes

New York
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

New York
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint

3 yrs or under unless over 40 lbs and no lap/shoulder belt available

4-7 yrs unless no lap/shoulder belt available

New York
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8 yrs and older must be restrained by a seatbelt

New York
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years with driver's ed. 18 years without driver's ed.

New York
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

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Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

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Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (15)

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Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 6

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Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

9 p.m. - 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed)

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Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1 under 21

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Type of Law

Primary

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Who is Covered?

All riders

New York
In What Seat?

All

New York
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

New York
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

New York
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

No

New York
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

New York
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

New York
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on controlled access highway exit ramp or within 300 feet following

New York
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

New York
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Specified jurisdictions

New York
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

New York
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical use

New York
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

GHSA, National Road Safety Foundation Award $75,000 in Grants to Three States for Safe Youth Active Mobility

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania to work with community-based groups to promote safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

Governors Highway Safety Association, National Road Safety Foundation Award $75,000 in Grants to Three States for Safe Youth Active Mobility

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania to work with community-based groups to promote safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

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