NYC Traffic Court Records
New York City traffic court records are handled through the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau, not the regular court system. The TVB processes all non-criminal moving violations issued in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. This setup is different from every other part of the state. Instead of a local judge, a DMV Administrative Law Judge hears your case. If you got a ticket in any of the five boroughs, this page covers how to search records, pay fines, schedule hearings, and respond to your summons.
NYC Traffic Court Records
Traffic Court Records Violations Bureau
The Traffic Violations Bureau is the main agency for NYC traffic tickets. It is run by the New York State DMV, not by the city. The TVB handles all non-criminal moving violations in the five boroughs. Criminal charges like DWI or driving with a suspended license go through the criminal court system instead.
The TVB page on the NYS DMV website has full details on how to plead, pay, and schedule hearings for tickets in New York City.
This screenshot shows the official TVB page with information about how moving violations are processed in the five boroughs.
TVB offices do not take walk-ins. You need a scheduled hearing or a reservation to visit. All appointments are booked through the NYS DMV online reservation system. If you show up without one, they will turn you away. This can be a problem if you waited too long, so make sure you book your time well before any deadlines. The TVB phone line at (718) 488-5710 can help with general questions, but clerks cannot give legal advice.
New York City Traffic Court Records
There are eight TVB offices spread across the five boroughs. Each one handles the same types of cases. You can go to any office -- it does not have to be in the borough where you got the ticket. The TVB office locations page on the DMV site lists all addresses and hours.
The screenshot above shows the full list of TVB offices with addresses and phone numbers for each location.
Here are the offices by borough:
- Bronx TVB -- 696 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458
- Brooklyn North TVB -- 625 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
- Brooklyn South TVB -- 2875 West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224
- Manhattan North TVB -- 5 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10027
- Manhattan South TVB -- 17 Battery Place, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10004
- Queens North TVB -- 30-56 Whitestone Expressway, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11354
- Queens South TVB -- 168-35 Rockaway Blvd, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434
The Richmond TVB on Staten Island is at West Shore Plaza, 1775 South Avenue, Suite 2, Staten Island, NY 10314. All offices share the same phone number. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
New York City Traffic Court Records
You have 15 days from the date on the ticket to enter a plea. You can plead guilty or not guilty. The Plead or Pay TVB Tickets page on the DMV site walks you through both options step by step.
For a guilty plea, you can do it online using the DMV's Traffic Ticket Pleas, Hearings and Payments tool. You can also mail the ticket with payment to the Albany address printed on it. Online is faster. The system takes credit and debit cards. If you plead guilty, you accept the fine and the points go on your record right away.
To plead not guilty, check the "not guilty" box on the ticket, fill in the information, sign it, and mail it within 15 days. You can also schedule your hearing online. Once you enter a not guilty plea, you will get a hearing date. You can only reschedule once. The new date must fall within 20 months of the ticket being issued. To reschedule by mail, send your request at least 10 days ahead. By phone, you need at least 24 hours notice. The NYC311 traffic ticket page has more details on the process and office hours.
The NYC311 page gives a quick overview of TVB locations and ticket response options for city residents.
Hearings and Trials
At your hearing, you are considered innocent. The officer who gave the ticket must prove the charge by "clear and convincing evidence." That is a high bar. You can testify, bring witnesses, and present evidence. You can also bring a lawyer. An interpreter is allowed if you need one.
A DMV Administrative Law Judge runs the hearing. These judges are experienced attorneys with special training in Vehicle and Traffic Law. They have the power to decide guilt, set fines, and take action against your license. If you lose, you can appeal within 30 days using form AA-33. The form is on the DMV website and also at TVB offices. Appeals go to the DMV Appeals Board, and there is a filing fee. The Traffic Tickets in New York State page covers the broader rules.
Points and Suspensions
The NYS Driver Point System applies to all tickets in New York City. Points add up over 18 months. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 3 points. Cell phone use while driving is 5 points. Reckless driving is also 5. Going more than 40 mph over the limit puts 11 points on your record all at once.
If you reach 11 or more points in 18 months, your license gets suspended. Three speeding or misdemeanor traffic convictions in 18 months can also trigger a suspension. Failing to answer a ticket on time is another common cause. The DMV will suspend your license until you resolve the open ticket. A Driver Responsibility Assessment of $100 per year for three years kicks in at 6 points. Each point above 6 adds $25 per year to that bill.
Borough County Pages
New York City spans five counties. Each borough has its own county page on this site with more details on local court operations and records.
- New York County (Manhattan)
- Kings County (Brooklyn)
- Queens County
- Bronx County
- Richmond County (Staten Island)
Nearby Cities
Several other large cities in the region have their own traffic court systems. These nearby cities also have pages on this site.