Teens Behind the Wheel: How One Ticket Can Set a Young Driver Back Years
There’s nothing quite like the excitement (and anxiety) of handing your teenager the keys to the car for the first time. But while getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage, it’s also a legal privilege—one that can be easily lost, especially for young drivers in New York.
As a traffic lawyer serving the Five Towns, Long Island, NYC AND NYS areas, I’ve seen countless families caught off guard by the serious consequences of a teen’s first traffic ticket. If you're a parent of a new driver—or a young driver yourself—here’s what you need to know.
The Graduated License System in New York
New York uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system for young drivers to help them gain experience gradually:
Junior Learner’s Permit (usually age 16+)
Junior Driver’s License (after passing a road test)
Full License (at 18, or 17 if you’ve completed a driver’s ed course)
These licenses come with restrictions—especially for where and when teens can drive. Violating these rules, or getting a traffic ticket, can trigger serious penalties.
One Ticket Can Change Everything
🚨 What’s at Risk for Teen Drivers?
Points accumulate quickly. Just one speeding ticket (going 21+ mph over the limit) carries 6 points.
Probation violations. New drivers are on a 6-month probation after passing their road test. Any moving violationduring this period can result in license suspension.
Suspensions and revocations. Two moving violations in the first six months can get your license suspended. Three can lead to revocation.
Higher insurance premiums. Even one minor ticket can cause a huge jump in insurance rates, especially for teens, who are already in the most expensive bracket.
What Are the Most Common Tickets for Teen Drivers?
From my experience representing clients across Nassau County, Queens, and NYC, the most common violations for teens include:
Speeding (especially over 20 mph)
Using a phone or texting while driving
Failure to yield
Improper lane change
Not obeying traffic signs (like stop signs or yield signs)
These may seem like “minor” mistakes—but for teens, they come with major consequences.
Driving Hour Restrictions for Junior License Holders in New York State
New York junior drivers (typically age 16 or 17) are subject to strict limitations on when and where they can drive, and these restrictions vary based on region.
In New York City (five boroughs), junior drivers are not permitted to drive at all, even with a junior license. That means no solo driving—day or night—until they obtain a senior license (Class D).
In Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), junior license holders may only drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and only directly to or from school (the definition of which is a mater of dispute), work, or a driver education class. Driving at night (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) is only allowed if the teen is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or driving to/from som types of work with proper documentation.
In Upstate New York, the rules are slightly more lenient. Teens with a junior license can drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. without supervision, and after 9 p.m. only if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or driving instructor, or traveling to/from work or school with proof.
Violating these restrictions can result in fines, points, license suspension, and even delays in obtaining a full driver’s license. It’s critical that parents and young drivers understand the regional rules and abide by them to avoid jeopardizing a new driver’s future.
How Parents Can Protect Their Teens
Talk about the stakes. Teens often don’t realize how a single ticket can impact their ability to drive, get to school or work, or stay insured.
Don’t ignore a ticket. If your teen gets a ticket, don’t just pay it and move on. That’s an admission of guilt and could trigger a cascade of problems.
Call an experienced traffic attorney. A good defense can reduce or even eliminate points, protect the driving record, and preserve your teen’s license.
Michael E. Beer, Esq. Can Help
I've been helping drivers—young and old—fight traffic tickets in New York since 1991. I know how to navigate the courts in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, and beyond. If your teenager has received a ticket, let’s talk.
📞 Call or text me today
📧 Email or visit www.5TownsTraffic.com
📍 Serving all of NYS, NYC and Long Island
