Governor Cuomo signs new law prohibiting driver’s license suspension for failure to pay traffic fine

Drivers in New York State will no longer have to worry about their license being suspended for being unable to pay a traffic fine or fee.

Law allows installments on traffic tickets

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On New Year’s Eve, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the ‘Driven by Justice’ bill sponsored by WNY State Senator Tim Kennedy (D-63) and Assembly member Pamela Hunter(D-128) from Syracuse.

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“What we’ve done is we’ve allowed these individuals to keep their licenses but enter into a payment plan with the municipalities so that they can continue on with their life and not have it completely disrupted and upended by having their driver’s license taken away for simply being unable to pay a small traffic infraction,” Sen. Kennedy told 2 On Your Side. 

The new law requires income based payment plans to be available for fines, fees and mandatory surcharges incurred as a result of a violation of the vehicle and traffic law.

“They can drive to work, they can drive their kids to school, they can move around the community, they can get to the hospital if they have to. All of these things they can do legally because they’ve entered into a payment plan,” said Kennedy. 

Big news! @NYGovCuomo has signed our #drivenbyjustice legislation into law! This is a huge win that decriminalizes poverty and restores driver’s licenses to thousands of New Yorkers who have had their license suspended simply for inability to pay. pic.twitter.com/VN3v556yoo

— Senator Tim Kennedy (@SenKennedy) January 1, 2021