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No. A speed camera or red light camera ticket in New York City is a fine against the vehicle's owner, not a conviction of the driver. State law says it does not go on your driving record and is not used for insurance — so it adds no DMV points, and nothing for TLC's points programs to count. The catch: unpaid camera fines can stop you from renewing your TLC license.
Camera ticket vs. officer ticket
What the law says
For school-zone speed cameras, VTL §1180-b caps the owner's liability at $50 per violation (subdivision e) and says that liability "shall not be deemed a conviction as an operator and shall not be made part of the operating record" and is not used for insurance (subdivision f). The red light camera law, VTL §1111-a, has the same $50 cap and the same "not a conviction, not part of the operating record" language.
TLC's Persistent Violator Program counts TLC points and DMV points accumulated within 15 months, counting from the date of conviction (rule 80-27(a)(1)). With no conviction and nothing on your operating record, a camera ticket gives the program nothing to count.
Where camera tickets can still hurt you
Renewal. Rule §80-04(n) requires every applicant — new or renewing — to pay, and prove payment of, outstanding fines owed to TLC, the NYC Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau and Red Light Camera Unit, and the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau. TLC's renewal page lists paying outstanding parking, traffic and TLC tickets as a step. A pile of unpaid camera tickets can hold up a renewal until your license expires — and you cannot drive while it is expired. See can I drive while my renewal is pending.
Leased and rented cars. Camera notices go to the registered owner. Under §1180-b(k), a leasing company that has filed with the Parking Violations Bureau can pass liability to the lessee by sending the lessee's name and address within 37 days. If you lease a TLC vehicle, expect camera tickets to reach you, and read your lease for any added fees.
Your habits. A camera flash means you were speeding or ran a light at that moment. The same act seen by a police officer can bring DMV points and a TLC charge under rule 80-13(a)(3) — for example, 3 TLC points for a traffic signal violation and 3 to 8 TLC points for speeding, depending on how far over the limit, on top of any DMV points.
Other camera programs
New York has other automated programs. This answer covers the two statutes above. For other camera notices, read the notice itself and the law it cites. For the full picture of cameras and TLC drivers, see speed and red light cameras for TLC drivers, and for points from officer tickets, see DMV points for TLC drivers. Our TLC points calculator adds up the points that do count.
Frequently asked questions
Will a school-zone speed camera ticket put points on my license?
No. NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1180-b(f) says the owner's liability is not a conviction as an operator, is not made part of the operating record, and is not used for insurance purposes.
What about a red light camera ticket?
Same answer. VTL §1111-a(f) says red light camera liability is not a conviction as an operator and is not part of the operating record. Both laws cap the owner's liability at $50 per violation.
Can unpaid camera tickets hurt my TLC license?
Yes. TLC rule 80-04(n) requires applicants, including renewal applicants, to pay outstanding fines owed to the NYC Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau and Red Light Camera Unit. TLC's renewal page lists paying outstanding parking, traffic and TLC tickets as a requirement.
I lease my TLC car. Who gets the camera ticket?
The notice goes to the registered owner. Under VTL §1180-b(k), a leasing company that has filed with the Parking Violations Bureau can transfer liability to the lessee by giving the lessee's name and address within 37 days. Check your lease for how it handles camera tickets.
So which tickets do cost TLC points?
Tickets written by an officer for moving violations can lead to DMV points, and TLC charges under rule 80-13(a) carry TLC points from the second violation within 15 months or, for hazardous violations, from the first. Both count toward the Persistent Violator Program.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1180-b (school speed zone cameras in NYC) nysenate.gov
- NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1111-a (red light cameras) nysenate.gov
- TLC Rules, Chapter 80: Drivers (§80-04(n), §80-13(a), §80-27) nyc.gov
- TLC: Renew a TLC Driver License nyc.gov
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TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.