Bronx Traffic Ticket Records

Bronx County traffic ticket records are handled differently than in the rest of New York State. As one of the five boroughs of New York City, all non-criminal moving violations in the Bronx go through the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau instead of local courts. Criminal traffic offenses like DWI go to Bronx County Criminal Court. This page covers where to find your Bronx traffic ticket records, how the TVB works, and what you need to know about fines, points, and hearings.

How the Bronx Handles Traffic Ticket Records

The Bronx is part of New York City. That means non-criminal moving violations do not go to a regular court. Instead, the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau handles them. The TVB exists so that city criminal courts can focus on serious cases. A DMV Administrative Law Judge hears each traffic case. These judges are experienced lawyers trained in Vehicle and Traffic Law. They can find you guilty, set fines, and take action on your license.

The TVB does not handle parking tickets, red light camera tickets, speed camera tickets, or criminal charges like DWI. Parking violations go through NYC Finance. Camera tickets go to the registered owner of the vehicle. Criminal charges like driving while intoxicated go to Bronx County Criminal Court at 215 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451. That court can be reached at (718) 618-2400.

The Bronx TVB office is at 696 East Fordham Road, between Cambreleng and Crotona Avenues. All TVB offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Thursday hours run from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. You can only get into a TVB office if you have a scheduled hearing or make an appointment online. Walk-ins are not accepted.

How to Plead on Bronx Traffic Ticket Records

You have two choices. Plead guilty or plead not guilty. To plead guilty, use the online Traffic Ticket Pleas, Hearings and Payments system. You can also mail the ticket with payment within 15 days of the violation date. Send it to Traffic Violations Plea Unit, New York State DMV, PO Box 2950 - ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0950. Pay by credit card, check, or money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

If you plead guilty, you cannot change your plea later. There may be extra fees on top of the fine, including the Driver Responsibility Assessment if you hit 6 or more points. That is $300 as a lump sum or $100 per year for three years. Each point over six adds $25 per year for three years. These fees are separate from the ticket fine.

To plead not guilty, schedule a hearing. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone at (718) 488-5710. Your hearing takes place at the Bronx TVB office. You can attend in person, virtually, or submit a Statement in Place of Personal Appearance. If you submit the statement, the judge holds the hearing and emails you the decision. You can only reschedule once, and only if the new date falls within 20 months of when the ticket was issued.

What Happens at a Bronx TVB Hearing?

At the hearing, you are innocent until proven guilty. The standard is "clear and convincing evidence." The judge listens to sworn testimony from the officer who wrote the ticket. The officer explains why you got the ticket. Then you or your attorney can ask the officer questions. You may testify yourself, bring witnesses, or present evidence. The judge may also ask witnesses questions. You do not have to testify, and the judge cannot find you guilty just because you stayed silent.

If you believe the decision was wrong, you can appeal. Download the Traffic Violations Bureau Appeal form (AA-33) from the DMV website or pick one up at the TVB office. Include payment for the appeal fee. An attorney can file the appeal for you. The appeal reviews the facts and the law from your hearing.

Points on Bronx County Traffic Ticket Records

The DMV point system applies in the Bronx the same as everywhere else in New York. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over is 3 points. Going 11 to 20 over is 4 points. From 21 to 30 over, it jumps to 6. Reckless driving, cell phone use, and texting all carry 5 points each. Running a red light is 3 points. Hit 11 points in 18 months and your license may be suspended.

Fines follow the state schedule under VTL Section 1800. A first traffic infraction conviction can mean up to $150 in fines. A second within 18 months goes up to $300. A third can reach $450. Speeding fines have their own scale under VTL Section 1180, ranging from $45 for minor speeding up to $600 for going more than 30 mph over the limit. Surcharges get added on top.

Do Camera Tickets Affect Bronx Traffic Ticket Records?

New York City runs both red light cameras and school zone speed cameras. The Bronx has many of both. Red light camera tickets are authorized under VTL Section 1111-A at up to 600 intersections across the city. School zone speed cameras operate under VTL Section 1180-B near schools when a vehicle exceeds the posted limit by more than 10 mph.

Neither type adds points to your license. The ticket goes to the vehicle owner, not the driver. Photos do not show the driver's face. These are civil penalties. If the driver was already convicted of the same violation in court, the owner does not have to pay the camera ticket. These violations create a record, but they stay separate from your driving point total.

What If You Miss a Bronx Traffic Ticket Deadline?

Do not let it slide. If you do not answer a Bronx traffic ticket on time, the DMV suspends your license. It can take a few days for a ticket to show up in the system after it is issued. If you check the TVB system and your ticket is not there yet, you can request an email alert when it posts. But you are still on the hook to contact the TVB and enter a plea. Not responding can lead to a default conviction. If you do not pay fines and surcharges, the DMV may send the debt to a collection agency.

A $70 per-ticket fee gets added when your license is suspended for not answering. Driving on a suspended license is a crime. The suspension is indefinite until you take care of the ticket. You can check your license status through MyDMV.

Bronx County Criminal Court for Traffic Cases

Serious traffic offenses go to Bronx County Criminal Court. The court is at 215 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451. General info is at (718) 618-2400. The Summons Clerk's Office can be reached at (718) 618-2480 and (646) 386-4950. Court hours for most parts and clerk offices are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arraignments run Monday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

You can get there by taking the C, D, or 4 train to Yankee Stadium/161st Street Station. The BX 6 or BX 13 bus goes to East 161st Street and Sheridan Avenue. DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, and other criminal traffic charges are handled here. These cases create separate criminal records in addition to traffic ticket records.

Cities in Bronx County

The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York City. For more information about traffic ticket records across all five boroughs, visit the New York City page.

Nearby Counties

Neighboring counties handle their own traffic ticket records through local courts, not the TVB.