Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in New York

Non-criminal traffic tickets issued in New York City's five boroughs go to the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB), where the driver either pleads guilty and pays or pleads not guilty and schedules a hearing (including virtual hearings, or a written statement in place of appearing for people without a lawyer). TVB tickets can be pleaded or paid online. Tickets issued outside New York City are handled by the local criminal or traffic court where the offense occurred; contact that court. Answer by the deadline in the instructions on the back of the ticket. Failing to answer a moving-violation ticket leads to suspension of the New York license until the ticket is answered.

In New York City, the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) handles all non-criminal traffic tickets issued in the five boroughs; you can plead or pay online (single ticket, or several through MyDMV), by mail to the Traffic Violations Plea Unit (P.O. Box 2950 - ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0950, payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles"), or by phone at 718-488-5710. TVB does not handle parking, red-light or speed camera tickets, or misdemeanors and felonies such as DWI. Outside New York City, tickets are processed by the criminal or traffic court of the city, county, town or village where the offense took place; contact that court directly. If you do not answer a ticket on time, your license will be suspended.

Completing a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP, a defensive driving course, classroom or online) reduces active points by up to 4 for suspension purposes, for violations in the 18 months before completion, and can be used for points only once in an 18-month period. It does not remove the violation, conviction or points from the record and does not prevent mandatory suspensions or revocations (such as for DWI, DWAI, or three speeding violations within 18 months). It also provides a 10% insurance premium reduction.

Grounds include 11 points in 24 months, failing to answer a ticket for a moving violation, three speeding violations within 18 months (mandatory), DWI/DWAI and zero-tolerance violations, and chemical test refusal. Three or more alcohol or drug convictions or refusals within 10 years can result in permanent revocation (a waiver may be requested after at least 5 years).