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When you’re first learning to drive, it can be a challenge to understand each and every law on the books. And the fact that the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) is thousands of pages long only makes it more difficult. So when you happen to get a ticket while driving with a junior license, you might rightfully be quite confused or scared. 

“Am I going to lose my license for this?” you might think. Here’s the answer to that question and more:

Junior License vs Junior Permit in New York

The difference between a junior driver license and a junior driver permit in New York is simple: the license enables you to drive without supervision. While you have a permit, you are restricted to only driving when under the supervision of a driver aged 21 or older who is licensed to drive that class of vehicle in the state of New York.

Restrictions for Junior Learner’s Permit Holders in New York

While you hold a junior driver’s learner’s permit in the state of New York, you will be subject to a number of restrictions in addition to the one mentioned above. Those restrictions are as follows:

• You cannot drive in Nassau County, Suffolk County, or any of the five boroughs of New York city between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• You can only drive a vehicle in upstate New York between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Doing so requires the supervision of a driver aged 21 or older who is licensed to drive the class of vehicle that you’re driving.
• You can only drive a vehicle in Long Island between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Doing so requires the presence of a parent, guardian, or driving school instructor seated in the front passenger seat. Said supervisor must be aged 21 or older and licensed to drive the class of vehicle that you’re driving.
• You can only drive a vehicle in upstate New York between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. when in the presence of a parent, guardian, or driving school instructor seated in the front passenger seat. Said supervisor must be aged 21 or older and licensed to drive the class of vehicle that you’re driving.
• No more than one passenger under the age of 21 years (except for immediate family members) can ride with you while you drive.
• All people in the vehicle, including passengers, must wear a seatbelt or federally-approved child safety seat.

In addition to the above general restrictions, holders of junior driver permits in New York may not drive in any of the following locations:

• Any street within a park in New York City.
• Any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
• The Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.
• Any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) road test area.

Restrictions for Junior Driver Licenses in New York

Of course, junior learner’s permits are not the only junior cards that come with restrictions. The following restrictions apply to all drivers who hold junior driver licenses in the state of New York:

• You can drive at any time without a supervisor, but you can only have one passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle at any time and all occupants of the vehicle must be properly secured with seat belts or age-appropriate equivalents.
• You are only permitted to drive between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. while under the supervision of a driver aged 21 or older who is licensed to drive that class of vehicle. However, you do not need a supervisor if you are just traveling directly between school or work and home.
• The above travel restriction applies in Long Island as well, but with the following added exceptions: your place of employment, a state-approved cooperative work-study program, college, high school, other post-secondary institution, and a state-approved driver’s education program.

How Does a Traffic Ticket Affect a Junior Driver in New York?

If you receive a traffic ticket while you hold a junior driver license or permit in the state of New York, you might be subject to any of the following penalties:

• Fines
• Points on your driver license
• Increased insurance rates
• Employment consequences
• License suspension or revocation (particularly egregious violations can result in a 60-day suspension or revocation period)

Any violation worth three or more points is considered a serious violation. Examples of serious violations include speeding, texting while driving, and reckless driving. For example, if you are convicted of a first-time violation of texting while driving, you will likely have your junior driver license suspended for up to 120 days. A second conviction for a serious violation within six months of the first can result in the revocation of your license for at least one year.

Why Such Strict Laws in New York for Junior Drivers?

The reason for such strict laws regulating the activity of junior drivers is young drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 are involved in roughly 14,000 car accidents in New York each year. This is due to a number of factors, not the least of which are a lack of driving experience and understanding of the rules of the road. 

What Should Junior Drivers Do About New York Traffic Tickets?

As you can tell, the consequences of traffic tickets can be quite severe for junior drivers. With that in mind, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your record clean and clear. That means downloading the WinIt app and contesting tickets the moment you receive them.

Rather than paying a ticket, admitting guilt, and suffering the consequences, you can consult with attorneys in your area and find ways to potentially prevent any penalties from ever reaching your record.