The Connecticut DMV treats its drivers with New York traffic convictions differently based on the type of driver you are and the type of offense you committed. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know.
1. Connecticut Commercial Drivers
The Connecticut DMV will record all NY convictions to the equivalent violation on a commercial driver’s CT driving record. For CDL holders, getting points in New York is highly likely to cause points in Connecticut.
2. Standard Class D License Holders
Class D is the non-commercial standard driving license. The Connecticut DMV breaks it down as follows:
- Minor Traffic Infractions: For relatively minor violations such as speeding, failure to obey a traffic control device, cell phone use, and other simple traffic infractions, the CT DMV generally will not add the New York convictions to the CT driver's record.
- More Serious Traffic Violations and Misdemeanors: For more serious violations, such as reckless driving, negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident, the CT DMV will add the conviction to a CT driving record.
3. Connecticut Honors New York Suspensions
While a New York speeding conviction generally will not show up on your CT driving record, suspensions from a New York court for failure to appear or failure to pay a fine absolutely will show up on a Connecticut license. Therefore, a Connecticut driver must take care of tickets issued in New York State or face a license suspension in Connecticut.
How to Lift a NY Suspension in CT:
For CT drivers suspended in NY, it is not enough to simply have the NY court lift the suspension. You must also send proof of the suspension lift (called a “notice of appearance” in NY) to the Connecticut DMV via email at
[email protected]. The proof must contain your driver information, the ticket number, and the date paid. A standard notice of appearance from a NY court will contain this information.
If you have any further questions about the impact of NY traffic convictions, you may email the CT DMV at the same address.
4. Complete Information Sharing Between NY and CT
Article III of the Driver License Compact explicitly states:
“The licensing authority of a party state shall report each conviction of a person from another party state occurring within its jurisdiction to the licensing authority of the home state of the licensee...”
The Insurance Factor:
Because of this information sharing, you should count on your insurance company learning of any traffic conviction. Even if the Connecticut DMV does not take action against your license points for a minor NY infraction, your insurance company might still raise your rates. Therefore, it is important to seek reductions for any New York traffic ticket.
Don't Let a NY Ticket Impact Your CT License
If you have been ticketed in New York, we can help protect your driving record and your insurance rates. Contact Azria Law Office today for a complimentary case evaluation.
Call (315) 364-1155
Get an Instant Online Fee Quote