What's happening
This bill reduces aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation and lowers the maximum jail sentence.
Why it matters
Reduces long-term consequences for drivers. By reclassifying aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation, this bill means individuals convicted of this offense will no longer have a criminal record, which can have significant impacts on employment, housing, and future legal outcomes.
Decreases potential jail time. The bill lowers the maximum jail sentence from 30 days to 15 days, signaling a shift toward less punitive measures for this offense and potentially reducing the burden on local jails.
Reflects a shift in criminal justice priorities. This change suggests lawmakers are reconsidering how to handle low-level traffic offenses, focusing more on fines and less on incarceration, which can help address broader concerns about mass incarceration and disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.
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Who cares
Drivers charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation
The bill would reduce the offense from a misdemeanor to a violation and cut the maximum jail term from 30 days to 15 days.
Judges handling vehicle and traffic cases
The bill would retain sentencing options of a $200–$500 fine, imprisonment or both, but lower the maximum jail term to 15 days.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys
The bill would change the classification and potential jail exposure for third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation cases.
Headline styles
Lower Penalty for Unlicensed Driving
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
689
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to reducing the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation and adjusting the sentencing guidelines for such offense
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 511 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 607 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree is a [misdemeanor] violation. When a person is convicted of this offense, the sentence of the court must be: (i) a fine of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars; or (ii) a term of imprisonment of not more than [thirty] fifteen days; or (iii) both such fine and imprisonment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02041-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.