Where to Pay or Contest a Traffic Ticket in the Bronx
The Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) is a city court that handles parking violations, moving violations, and other traffic offenses in Bronx County. You can pay a fine, contest a ticket, or request a hearing there — but you do not have to go in person for most actions. The bureau is located at 1118 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, and handles cases Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The TVB is separate from criminal court. Traffic violations are civil matters, not criminal charges, so your case will not appear on a criminal record. However, violations do affect your driving record and insurance rates, and unpaid fines can lead to license suspension or a judgment against you.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay a Bronx traffic ticket by mail, phone, or online without visiting the bureau in person.
- If you want to contest the ticket, you can request a hearing by mail or phone, and most hearings happen without you present if you submit a written statement.
- The ticket itself tells you the important date to respond — usually 30 days — and ignoring it results in a default judgment and possible license suspension.
- The Bronx TVB phone line is (718) 960-9500, and you will need your ticket number and driver's license number to look up your case.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket
If you decide to pay the fine, you have three options: mail, phone, or the New York City Department of Finance website. Paying by mail means sending a check or money order to the address on your ticket along with a copy of the ticket itself. Include your name, address, and ticket number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on the back of your ticket — do not send it to the Grand Concourse address.
To pay by phone, call (718) 960-9500 during business hours and have your ticket number and a credit or debit card ready. You can also pay online through the NYC Department of Finance website (nycserv.nyc.gov) by entering your ticket number. Online and phone payments process when ready, while mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to record.
Payment does not erase the violation from your driving record, but it closes the case. If you pay after the response important date, you may owe late fees on top of the original fine amount.
How to Contest a Ticket Without Going to Hearing
You can contest a ticket by submitting a written statement to the TVB explaining why you believe the ticket was issued in error. This is called a "hearing by mail" or "written hearing." You do not attend in person — an administrative judge reviews your statement and the officer's notes and makes a decision.
To request a hearing by mail, call (718) 960-9500 or send a letter to the Bronx TVB at 1118 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451. Include your ticket number, your name and address, and a brief explanation of why the ticket should be dismissed. You must request the hearing before the important date on your ticket, usually 30 days from the date of the violation.
The judge will mail you a decision within 30 to 60 days. If the judge agrees with you, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the judge upholds the ticket, you can then request an in-person hearing before a different judge if you want a second chance to present your case.
How to Request an In-Person Hearing
An in-person hearing means you appear before an administrative judge at the TVB office. You can bring evidence (photos, dashcam footage, witness statements) and testify about what happened. The officer who issued the ticket may or may not appear — if they do not show up, the ticket is usually dismissed.
To request an in-person hearing, call (718) 960-9500 or mail a letter to the address above. Write "Request for Hearing" on the envelope and include your ticket number and a brief statement that you want to contest the violation. The TVB will mail you a hearing date, usually 4 to 8 weeks away.
Bring your driver's license, the ticket, and any evidence you have. Arrive 15 minutes early. The hearing usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes. You can represent yourself — you do not need a lawyer, though you may bring one if you choose.
What Happens If You Miss the important date
The ticket tells you the date by which you must respond — either pay or request a hearing. If you do not respond by that date, the TVB enters a default judgment against you. This means you lose the right to contest the ticket, and the fine becomes a debt owed to the city.
A default judgment can lead to license suspension, a hold on vehicle registration renewal, and collection action against you. If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. To restore it, you must pay the fine and any late fees, then contact the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you miss the important date but want to reopen the case, you can request a hearing to "vacate" the default judgment. Call (718) 960-9500 and explain why you missed the important date. The judge may grant the request if you have a reasonable excuse, such as illness or a mailing error. There is no may provide, so responding on time is always the safer choice.
Understanding Fines and Points
Traffic fines in New York vary by violation type. A parking violation typically costs $45 to $115. A moving violation (speeding, running a red light, unsafe lane change) typically costs $150 to $600, depending on how far over the speed limit you were or the nature of the offense. The ticket itself states the fine amount.
Moving violations also add points to your driving record. Accumulating 11 points in 18 months results in license suspension. Points stay on your record for 18 months from the violation date. Some violations carry more points than others — for example, speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 3 points, while speeding 31 mph or more over the limit is 11 points.
Insurance companies check your driving record and raise premiums based on violations. A single moving violation can increase your premium by 10 to 30 percent for three years. Paying the fine does not remove points; only time removes them after 18 months.
Contact Information and Hours
The Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau is located at 1118 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451. The phone number is (718) 960-9500. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and city holidays.
You can also reach the New York City Department of Finance, which oversees all TVBs citywide, at (212) 788-2000 or through the NYC Department of Finance website. If you have questions about a specific ticket, have your ticket number ready before you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a ticket dismissed if the officer does not show up to my hearing?
Yes. If you request an in-person hearing and the officer does not appear, the judge will almost always dismiss the ticket. However, do not count on this — officers often appear, and some violations can be dismissed even without the officer present if you present strong evidence that the ticket was wrong.
What if I cannot pay the fine all at once?
Call (718) 960-9500 and ask about a payment plan. The TVB can sometimes arrange installment payments over several months. You must request this before the response important date or after a default judgment is entered. Late fees explore if you do not pay on time.
Does paying a ticket mean I admit guilt?
Paying a fine is treated as an admission of liability for insurance and driving record purposes, but it does not result in a criminal conviction. Your insurance company will see the violation, but it will not appear on a criminal background check.
How long does a violation stay on my driving record?
Points from a moving violation stay on your record for 18 months from the date of the violation. After 18 months, the points are removed, but the violation itself may remain visible on your record for longer. Parking violations do not add points.
Can I transfer my case to a different court or borough?
No. Traffic violations are handled by the TVB in the borough where the violation occurred. If you received a ticket in the Bronx, you must handle it through the Bronx TVB, even if you live elsewhere.