Paying Your New York Traffic Ticket | DMV.ORG (2024)

Read this page to learn how to pay your traffic ticket to the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB).

NOTE: If you want to fight your charge, visit our Fight Traffic Tickets page.

Know Your Options

Pleading Guilty to Your NY Ticket

When you pay your traffic ticket in New York, it means you're admitting guilt; you are pleading “guilty" to the violation.

When you plead “guilty" to your NY traffic ticket:

• Generally, you can conveniently pay your fine online, by mail, or in person IF you have a Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) ticket.
  • The TVB processes traffic tickets issued inNew York City and accepts online, by mail, and in person payments.
  • The county, city, town, or village handles tickets issued outsideNew York City. You must contact the court for the location in which you were ticketed.
• You might have other related fines, surcharges, and penalties to pay, depending on the violation, court, and payment method.
• Your judge might give you the opportunity to complete a state-approved defensive driving course for ticket dismissal.
• Your driving record will reflect the traffic violation and associated number of points.
  • You might be able to complete a defensive driving course to reduce those points.
  • Depending on the number of points, you could be at risk for license suspension.
• Your auto insurance provider could increase your rates.

Failing to pay the ticket by the deadline printed on the citation means:

• The state will suspend your license.
  • This IS NOT an automatic guilty conviction.
  • You must answer the ticket and pay the suspension termination fee.

Failing to answer the suspension notice means:

• Your license remains suspended and:
  • This IS a guilty conviction.
  • You must answer the ticket and pay the suspension termination fee as well as any surcharges.

Pleading Guilty as a CDL Driver

A guilty plea or conviction for New York commercial drivers might mean harsher penalties than regular drivers receive. For example, you must notify your employer of a traffic conviction and, depending on the violation, you could face temporary or permanent CDL suspension or revocation.

For more details, refer to the New York State Commercial Driver's Manual.

How to Pay Your NY Traffic Ticket

Your options for paying your New York traffic ticket vary based on where you were ticket (see above for details). Once you've determined your options, each process is listed below.

Online

To pay your traffic ticket online, visit the state's online payment website, enter the required personal and traffic ticket information, and follow the system's prompts.

In Person

You can plead “guilty" and pay your NY traffic ticket fine in person at a TVB location.

Consider contacting the office first to find out about:

• Accepted payment methods.
• Days and hours of operation.

NY Tickets & Traffic School

You might be able to complete a defensive driving course as part of the state's Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP):

• For ticket dismissal.
  • This varies depending on factors such as your violation, the court handling your ticket, and your personal driving history.
• To subtract points from your driving record.
  • This is especially relevant if you've accumulated enough points for license suspension.
• To reduce your auto insurance premiums.

Learn more at our Defensive Driving in New York page.

Check Your Driving Record

Whether you plead “guilty" and pay your ticket fine or fight your traffic ticket in court, it's important to check your driving record after the outcome to make sure it reflects ONLY:

• Your guilty violation(s), whether you pled “guilty" or lost your court case.
• The number of driving record points that traffic violation carries.
  • Also, check that you're not close to license suspension; if you are, consider enrolling in the state's defensive driving program.
• Nothing related to that violation IF your judge dismissed your ticket for completing the driving school.

We'll help you find out how to order your driving record and the proper department to contact if you believe there are errors.

Car Insurance Rates & Traffic Tickets

It's likely your auto insurance company will increase your rates after you plead or are found guilty of a traffic violation. Read our full guide to how traffic tickets affect your insurance premiums for help determining your next steps.

When this happens, consider comparing car insurance quotes online to fine more affordable rates.