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.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .18 Yes Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

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

  • Child Passenger Safety

    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

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8 yrs and older must be restrained by a seatbelt

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    No

    Novice Drivers

    No

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    8 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    None

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 1967.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    All riders

    In What Seat?

    All (eff. 11/1/20)

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

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

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    Specified jurisdictions

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55

    Except certain designated highways

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55

    Except certain designated highways

  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    17 years with driver's ed.

    18 years without driver's ed.

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    16 6 50 (15)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 / 6 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed) No more than 1 under 21