DMVZoneBlogHolding a phone while driving in New York costs 5 points and up to $450 in fines. Junior drivers lose their license for 120 days on a first ticket. Here is what counts.
New York bans holding a phone or other portable device while driving, for talking, texting, browsing, photos or games. Every conviction adds 5 points, fines run from $50 up to $450 for repeat offenses, and junior drivers lose their license or permit for 120 days on the first one.
Five points is a lot in New York. Add one speeding ticket for 1 to 10 mph over and you are at 8, already past the 6 points that trigger the Driver Responsibility Assessment.
| Offense | Fine | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| First | $50-$200 | Surcharge up to $93, 5 points |
| Second within 18 months | $50-$250 | Surcharge up to $93, 5 points |
| Third or more within 18 months | $50-$450 | Surcharge up to $93, 5 points |
For drivers with a junior license (Class DJ or MJ) or a learner permit, the first conviction suspends the license or permit for 120 days. A second conviction within six months of getting it back means a revocation of at least one year. For a 17-year-old, that can mean missing a whole school year of driving.
New York has signed Texting Zones on the Thruway and state highways: parking areas where you can stop and use your phone. Plan to use one instead of glancing down at 65 mph.
How many points does a New York phone ticket add?
Answer: C. Each conviction adds 5 points.
A 17-year-old with a junior license is convicted of texting while driving. What happens?
Answer: C. Junior license and permit holders face a 120-day suspension on the first conviction.
Which call is allowed while holding the phone and driving in New York?
Answer: B. Calls to 911, police, fire or medical personnel about an emergency are exempt.
Yes. Using a handheld device is a primary offense in New York.
Holding the phone to look at or change a map counts as use. A mounted phone with the route set before you drive is the safe way.
It can. It is a moving violation with 5 points, and insurers see it.
Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.
Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official New York DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.
In New York you stop for a school bus even on a divided highway, and you move over for any vehicle stopped on the shoulder. Fines, points and stop-arm cameras explained.
The full New York point schedule after the February 2026 update, the 24-month suspension window, and why out-of-state tickets mostly do not add NY points.
Six points in 18 months, a DWI or a refused breath test brings a New York Driver Responsibility Assessment. See the amounts, how to pay, and why a course will not stop it.