New York Insurance and Point Reduction Program

Module 4 Review
New York Traffic Laws, Traffic Signals and Signs, Streets and Intersections,
School Buses and Emergency Vehicles

• Your license may be suspended in New York if you acquire 11 or more points within 18 months.
• You can be fined between $200 and $5,000 if you drive while your license is suspended or
revoked.
• Suspension means that your license is temporarily “out of service.”
• Revocation means your license is canceled completely. The Department of Motor Vehicles then
determines when you are eligible to apply for a new license.
• Your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked for any of the following:
o DWI
o DUI out of state
o DWAI violation within five years of any prior alcohol or drug-related violation
o DWI or DWAI drug violation committed within 10 years of any prior DWI or DWAI
drug violation
o Three speeding and/or misdemeanor traffic violations within 18 months
o Three “passing a stopped school bus” violations within three years
o One violation of “leaving the scene of a personal injury or fatal accident”
o One “participating in a speed contest” violation
• If you are convicted of DUI in another state or in the province of Ontario or Quebec in Canada,
your license will be revoked for at least 90 days.
• If you are under age 21 and convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related violation out of state, your
New York driver’s license will be revoked for at least one year.
• If you are under age 21 and convicted of a second or subsequent conviction of alcohol- or drug
related violation out of state, your New York driver’s license will be revoked for at least one year
or until you turn 21, whichever is longer.
• Your license may be revoked for at least one year if you operate or allow another person to
operate your uninsured vehicle or if the DMV receives evidence that you were involved in a
traffic crash without being insured.
• Your driver’s license will be suspended indefinitely if you fail to file an accident report, submit a
bad check for DMV fees, fail to pay child support, or fail to satisfy a court judgment that results
from a traffic accident. The license suspension will be in effect until you correct the condition
that caused the suspension.
• It is important to slow down on narrow or winding roads, at intersections or railroad crossings,
on hills, at sharp or blind curves, where pedestrians or driving hazards are present, and on wet
and slippery roads.
• Speed limits are carefully established to make driving as safe as possible for everyone, taking
into account roadway design factors, including how far ahead a driver can see. Exceeding the
speed limit compromises your safety and that of other drivers.
• You should not drive so slowly that you block other vehicles moving at normal, safe speeds.
• If you are behind a slow driver, make sure you leave enough room in front of you just in case
you are overtaken by an impatient driver.
• At a STOP sign, the purpose of the limit line is to prevent the driver from entering the crosswalk
or intersection inadvertently or at an excessive speed and to show the driver where to make the
stop before proceeding through.
• Traffic signals function to warn, guide, and inform drivers and to regulate traffic.
• Never attempt to cross an intersection by “assuming” opposing traffic will yield the right-of-way.
• The red light signals the driver to stop behind the limit or crosswalk line before the intersection.
• A yellow light alerts the driver that a red light will soon follow and to prepare to stop.
• A green light is the signal to proceed with the presumed right-of-way-while still using caution.
• Traffic signs and street markings warn you of upcoming hazards or road changes ahead.
• Green signs provide direction and guidance.
• Red signs with white letters provide information on some type of prohibition such as STOP or
DO NOT ENTER.
• Blue signs provide motorist service guidance and information about upcoming services such as
hospitals, police stations, and handicapped parking.
• Orange signs provide construction and maintenance warnings.
• Brown signs point to recreation areas and cultural interest sites such as national and state parks.
• Yellow signs warn of upcoming driving conditions or hazards that require special attention.
• Black and white regulatory signs are usually square or horizontal rectangles showing regulatory
information such as NO TURN ON RED or ONE WAY.
• There are eight different shapes for traffic signs: octagon (STOP), horizontal rectangle (guide
signs), equilateral triangle (YIELD), pennant (NO PASSING ZONE), diamond (existing or
possible hazards on roadways or adjacent areas), vertical rectangle (regulatory signs), pentagon
(SCHOOL ZONE and SCHOOL CROSSING) and round (railroad advance warning).
• Railroad crossing signs are the only warning signs that are round; all other warning signs are
diamond shaped.
• Pavement markings warn and direct drivers and regulate traffic.
• You may turn across solid double yellow lines, make a left turn out of a driveway, or cross over
from driveway to driveway only if you do not impede the flow of traffic or use excessive speed.
• You may cross single broken yellow and white lines with caution when it is legal, safe, and
necessary to do so.
• Always stop behind the limit line at intersections or streets controlled by traffic lights and
proceed when the light changes.
• When approaching an intersection, you must yield the right of way to a vehicle that has already
entered the intersection from a different highway.
• Turn lanes are specifically designated lanes in the roadway for turning either right or left. These
lanes may be governed by turn arrow lights that direct when you are allowed to turn.
• Crosswalks are lanes designated for pedestrians to cross roadways.
• Bicycles must stay in the bicycle lane and, similarly, motor vehicles must stay in lanes designed
for their use.
• Use a passing lane only when the attempted maneuver is as safe and prudent and you can
complete it without using excessive speed.
• Highway on-ramps are for entering highways and preparing for highway driving, allowing you to
increase speed and get into the flow of highway traffic.
• Merge lanes are typically short. They are used for merging and are not intended for extended
driving.
• Highway off-ramps are designed for reducing speeds and are links to, and roadways for, entrance
back into city driving.
• Deceleration lanes are provided next to the right lane of travel prior to exits.
• Left hand lanes are intended for passing other vehicles and for through traffic.
• In New York, you must stop on a two-way street or a divided highway when the school bus is
stopped to pick up or drop off children, even if you are on the other side of the street or highway.
• Drivers are fined $250 or more for passing a stopped school bus one time. Subsequent offenses
could cost a driver up to $1,000 for three violations in three years.
• You must pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle that is sounding a siren and has at least
one lighted red or blue lamp, even if it is in the opposite lane of a two-way roadway.
• Remain stopped on the side of the road until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• You must stay at least 500 feet behind any fire rescue vehicle displaying flashing warning lights
and sounding a siren.
• Keep your foot on the brake when stopped for an emergency vehicle to pass so that the
emergency vehicle is aware you have stopped for this purpose.
• Required safety equipment on a vehicle includes tires, tail lamps, lighting equipment, brakes,
horn, mirrors, the windshield, and bumpers.