New York Enacts Tougher DUI Regulations: Permanent License Denial After Four Offenses
New ‘forfeit after four’ rule targets repeat impaired drivers.
New Yorkers with a history of drug or alcohol related driving offenses will now face permanent license denial after four convictions or incidents, such as refusing a chemical test. The stricter regulation, adopted by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), took effect on January 3rd, reducing the threshold from five offenses under previous rules.
“At some point, we have to say, ‘enough is enough.’ When someone repeatedly drives under the influence, they need to be permanently removed from our roadways. A ‘forfeit after four’ policy significantly increases our ability to protect New Yorkers from these high-risk drivers.”
Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State DMV and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
The updated rules extend beyond the four-offense limit:
Drivers with three impaired-driving offenses and one or more serious driving offenses will also face permanent license denial.
Those with three drug-or alcohol-related driving offenses and no serious driving offenses may face a two-year denial for re-licensure.
Drivers whose licenses are currently revoked due to impaired-driving offenses will face a five-year denial when applying for re-licensure.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores the heightened risk posed by repeat offenders. Drivers involved in fatal crashes with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit are four times more likely to have prior convictions for driving while impaired than those with no alcohol in their systems.