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How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in New York

Updated on Fri, 3/1/2013

Citations or traffic tickets are issued in the State of New York for various violations of traffic law. You must respond to a citation, usually by paying a fine or appearing in court, or else a warrant may be issued for your arrest and your driving license may be suspended.

If you wish to dispute the citation, you must appear in court personally on the scheduled date, and enter a "not guilty" plea. Appearing in court gives you an opportunity to fight the traffic ticket in front of a judge or jury, and most people prefer to hire a traffic ticket lawyer to defend them in court. For more information on how to dispute a traffic ticket in New York, see our general section on Traffic Tickets and Violations.

PAYING A TRAFFIC TICKET - WHAT IT MEANS

When you pay a ticket, you are essentially pleading guilty to a traffic offense. Motorists should be aware that receiving and paying a traffic citation could result in higher car insurance rates and points on your driving record. Your license may be suspended if you accumulate too many points on your driving record.

HOW TO PAY THE FINE

If you decide to plead guilty to a traffic violation, there are several ways to pay the ticket. Generally, the back of the citation will clearly indicate the deadlines and options for answering the ticket. Usually, you must act within fifteen days of receiving a traffic ticket to avoid additional fines and possible suspension of your license.

  1. Pay online. Most traffic tickets issued by the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) can be answered and paid online using a credit or debit card. Visit the New York State Plead and Play section to determine whether you are eligible to use the online payment system.
  2. Pay by mail. Read the instructions on the back of the ticket carefully, then check the "Guilty" box and sign the ticket. Enclose a check or money order for the amount indicated on the ticket, made payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Mail to: 
    Plea Unit
P.O. Box 2950 - ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0950
    Be sure to retain a copy of the citation for your personal records.
  3. Pay in person. You can pay your traffic tickets at any of the New York State Traffic Violations Bureau offices. Bring the citation with you, along with a check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. In addition, bring proof of identity (i.e. your driver license) when you come to a TVB office.

PLEADING NOT GUILTY

If you decide to plead not guilty and dispute the ticket, read the instructions on the back of the ticket carefully. The instructions will generally indicate when and how to plead not guilty, and information about appearing in court to dispute your ticket. See our general section on Traffic Tickets and Violations for more information about how to dispute a traffic ticket in New York State.

DISMISSAL OF CHARGES

Remember that you cannot be found guilty of committing a traffic offense unless there is clear, accurate and convincing evidence that you committed the violation. Charges may be dismissed in court if the citation includes vague or incorrect information. For instance, vehicle information, time, location and circumstances must all be indicated correctly on the ticket. Many motorists choose to consult with a traffic ticket attorney to help them evaluate the validity of the ticket, and whether or not it is likely to be dismissed in court.

LOST TICKETS

If you lost a traffic ticket after receiving it, you must contact the court where the ticket is answerable. If you do not know the name of the appropriate court, contact the DMV Call Center.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reviews of How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in New York

Submitted by Kennydeimler@me.com on Mon, 2012-08-13 20:22.

What if the cop is so angry an gives you his copy of the ticket does this help u in any way

Submitted by 58desimone on Thu, 2011-08-11 09:59.

What is the number to the dmv hotline for lost tickets? The only one i found on the website is entirely automated and offers no help for lost tickets.

Submitted by josh9090 on Fri, 2012-04-20 13:56.

Bend over and let the DMV have it's way !!! LOL

Submitted by alexsun on Thu, 2012-01-05 13:45.

Me too. I lost the ticket as well.. I don't what to do. Nobody is answering the phones....

Submitted by 58desimone on Thu, 2011-08-11 10:06.

for an unpaid traffic ticket? this is enormously frustrating. Where is the respect on the dmvs end? not a single representative to speak with... absolutely disgusting

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2011-05-04 13:44.

Hmm, I figured out how to pay a traffic ticket online. Guess you guys just can't read.

Submitted by SuperH on Wed, 2012-06-06 14:10.

let me guess... because they cheased you and got jail... thats y we don't want to go that way...

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-04-07 17:24.

How stupid can you guys be. This is a reference site. If you lost your ticket then you have to call the DMV hotline to get the information. If you want to pay the ticket and you have it, then you have to check to see if your eligible to pay it online, if not then you have to pay it in person. Stop your complaining about the government this and that, it was you that broke the law in the first place, so deal with it. I'm in the same boat as you but you don't here me bitching and moaning about it, jeeze, get a freaking life people.

Submitted by egnweon on Fri, 2013-03-01 11:41.

lol this guys a cop lol

Submitted by SuperH on Wed, 2012-06-06 14:07.

YOR ARE THE MUST STUPID PERSON I EVER SEEN... YOU ARE THE ONE NOT READING ABOVE... ALL WE NEED IS SOMEBODY TO ANSWER THE DAME PHONE AND PROVIDE SOME HELP FOR LOST TICKETS... YOU THINK YOU ARE SMART ASSHOLE.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-03-21 13:23.

THIS IS THE MOST USELESS SITE EVER. GO FIGURE ITS NEW YORK'S GOVERMENT FOR YA!!!! I JUST WANNA PAY OR FIND OUT HOW TO PAY A FREAKIN' TICKET ALREADY!!!!

Submitted by SuperH on Wed, 2012-06-06 14:21.

The website is not friendly at all. The guy/gal that designed the website forgot that we are people 99% and in the first website class in college they clear specify KISS (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID). The website is totally a disaster. YES is true there is a lot of information there but you have to spend hours and hours if you're lucky. I am in the same situation and is frustated... Dear Gov, please improve the website with all the money you got from the tickets...

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-05-10 08:31.

I agree! Never saw anything like this non -sense in my life

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2011-03-16 02:59.

This is a government website, and, as such, is completely unusable....

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-03-15 22:53.

you want to take my license away, take it take it take it take whatever you want!!!!! i'm done with this. I want to pay my ticketttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-03-15 22:50.

Where do I pay the ticket????? this is crazy!!!!!

Submitted by coastiewife on Sun, 2009-10-11 18:49.

I got a seat belt violation ticket alittle over a year ago, sent it in pleading guilty and then I moved. My issue is I didnt recieve my fine due to relocating and I have yet to change the address on my liscense. My husbands in the military and if he doesn't have to change his, I dont think I have to change mine...or I could be wrong. I have no clue where about the violation happened as to what court to call for info (it was on a highway somewhere between NY and CT), so im at a loss. Who do I call?

Submitted by raphaelrolo on Fri, 2009-09-18 16:58.

pay for summons

Submitted by Franklin Rosales on Mon, 2009-08-31 12:06.

I got a ticket in NYS I dont know how to pay it I hane no phone number on the tickets or address or web site

Submitted by JenniferMendez on Mon, 2009-08-24 23:46.

i will like to pay 2 tickets how i do that in the internet

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-03-21 10:23.

i would like to pay 2 tickets online

Submitted by walid on Wed, 2009-08-12 00:21.

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Submitted by lorenzotepi on Mon, 2009-07-27 11:25.

ok

Submitted by vramdass on Sat, 2009-06-27 16:32.

i WOULD LIKE TO PAY A TRAFFIC TICKET

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2011-02-18 15:21.

Iwould would to pay off my traffic ticket online please

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-03-15 10:43.

how do i pay a fire hydrant ticket

Submitted by trafficdeysi on Sat, 2009-06-13 01:34.

web site to pay tickets

Submitted by leonel thimo on Fri, 2009-05-29 12:03.

yes , i need to my traffic ticket on line if I could, and I also need to created my accound on line so I could aaways pay my bills online.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2011-02-18 15:23.

please thankyou

Submitted by leonel thimo on Fri, 2009-05-29 12:06.

please show how to pay my tickets on line

Submitted by FRANK J VISCARDI on Thu, 2009-05-28 16:30.

pay speed ni zone #0A80594883

Submitted by elosito on Wed, 2009-05-06 18:40.

i want to at ticket

Submitted by theking940 on Mon, 2009-04-27 17:37.

i have a traffic ticket from almost a year ago is it too late to pay it and how do i go about paying it so i can get my permit from being suspended

Submitted by martinbutler on Sat, 2009-03-07 14:07.

martin

Submitted by sunny4hunny on Fri, 2009-03-06 18:41.

i got ticket in manhattan and i lost it what should i do

Submitted by barthel joseph on Mon, 2009-06-15 09:00.

want tp pay ticket

Submitted by REBE on Sun, 2009-03-01 20:47.

I WANT TO PAY TIKET

Submitted by walid on Wed, 2009-08-12 00:22.

i want to pay tiket

Submitted by jcaceres on Tue, 2009-05-19 12:03.

i would like to pay a ticket for an open container

where should i go to pay this ticket

Submitted by elosito on Wed, 2009-05-06 18:40.

hello

Submitted by ldingram on Sun, 2009-03-01 19:08.

after you pay all your fines. how soon can you start driving again

Submitted by chicabonita4u08 on Fri, 2009-02-27 21:02.

i would like to pay my tickets.

Submitted by paddiboy on Tue, 2011-12-27 14:17.

i would like to pay my son's fines so he can get his license back i was told it could be done by credit card and taken out each month. i am his dad. he cannot get a better because he doesn't drive and makes really nothing now to pay back. please advise.

thank you.......grant

Submitted by yona on Thu, 2009-02-26 10:00.

???

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2011-02-06 17:35.

hi my name is magaly, i would like to now the date that i have court for a moving violation you think you can help me please.

Submitted by six1978 on Wed, 2009-02-25 23:13.

tiket

Submitted by nickynunever@ya... on Tue, 2009-02-24 11:36.

no comment just need to know what i owe so i can pay

Submitted by ena14 on Mon, 2009-02-23 10:07.

help pay a red light ticket

Submitted by eriktitan2005 on Wed, 2009-02-18 01:09.

pay tikect

Submitted by dlovell on Tue, 2009-02-17 21:58.

n/a