Driving without insurance 4 years ago, is my license still suspended?

about four years ago i was caught moving a newly purchased car from one garage to another. I was 16 with my permit at the time. I was issued 3 tickets for improper use of plates, no registration, and no insurance. In NY driving without insurance has a mandatory policy of a one year license suspension. i never paid the tickets(being young and dumb) and my license is still suspended due to unpaid tickets(they total over $1,000). My question to you is if i pay my tickets off will my license be reinstated or will I have to wait a year after the tickets are paid? One lawyer told me yes, another told me no...help me out.