DMV Traffic Violations Bureau Virtual Hearing Guide for Attorneys

Overview

The New York State DMV Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) is now using virtual hearings to allow motorists and their attorneys to safely attend a hearing safely and efficiently.  You now have the option to attend your hearings from a remote location using video conferencing technology.

Motorists (your clients) can participate at home, or with you at your office. You will need to coordinate this with your clients.

Any parties of interest wishing to participate in a virtual hearing will need

  • a computer (preferred) or mobile device (phone/tablet) with a camera 
  • reliable high-speed Internet service - a Wi-Fi internet connection of at least 1 – 1.5 megabits per second or a hard-wired connection

 

Before you begin the Virtual Hearing

Locate the Ticket Number on the hearing notice or on the top left corner of the ticket.  There is more than one type of traffic ticket that is answerable in a DMV Traffic Violations Bureau, and the configuration of the ticket number may be different than the samples below.  If you are checking in to multiple hearings, you will need a ticket number from each.

Sample hearing notice with ticket number highlighted

Sample hearing notice with ticket number highlighted

 

System requirements

Note: Internet Explorer is not supported

  • Have a functioning microphone on your phone or computer
  • Have your camera activated
  • Disable sleep/standby mode
  • Ensure your phone is not set to “Do Not Disturb”

 

Checking in to the Virtual Hearing

On the day your hearing is scheduled, follow the instructions below to join your hearing virtually. It is recommended that you begin this process at least 15 minutes before your hearing’s start time.

Step 1: Go to www.dmv.ny.gov/virtual-hearings

Step 2: Select the Attend Your Hearing button

Step 3: Enter the Ticket Number

virtual hearing check in page

Step 4: Accept the Terms of Service

 Sample terms of service agreement

Step 5: Select your role in the hearing – “I’M AN ATTORNEY/REPRESENTATIVE”

Sample select role page

 

Step 6: See the Waiting Room displayed on your device.

 

Step 7: Wait for your hearing to begin. You will receive a notification when your hearing is called.

If you are unavailable

By default, the system marks you as 'Available.' You need to mark yourself as 'Unavailable' if you need to step away from your computer or mobile device before to the hearing start time. This informs the judge that you are currently unavailable to attend a hearing.

To mark yourself as 'Unavailable,' select the 'My Status' drop-down list on the top right corner of the webpage and select 'Away.' The countdown timer will appear on the browser. When you return to your computer or mobile device, select the 'Return to Available' button to make yourself available.

Important: If you are marked as 'Unavailable' for more than 15 minutes, you will be signed out of your hearing and will need to check back into your hearing once you sign back into the system.

hearing waiting room with change status option highlighted

 

Add additional hearings and additional tickets

 

Attorneys can log in for multiple tickets/hearings while in the waiting room.  You will need a ticket number from each hearing you are attending.

Enter the ticket number and select 'Add.'  You will see successful logins added to the list in your waiting room.  For hearings with multiple tickets, only one ticket entry is required.

Attorney option to add hearings

 

Submitting evidence

You can submit evidence you would like to present up to 1 week prior to your hearing.

Step 1: Go to http://vhc.dmv.ny.gov/submit_evidence , enter the Ticket Number, select 'Continue.'

Submit evidence login page

 

Step 2: Enter in all the required fields and select 'Submit.'

Evidence submission fields

 

The evidence will be available in the hearing for the judge to review.

 

Attending your virtual hearing (WebEx)

 

  1. When your hearing is called, you will see a message on your Waiting Room dashboard indicating your hearing has started. When this pop up appears, select Enter Hearing to enter the hearing room.
  2. After you select Enter Hearing, a new tab will open in your in browser.  Do not close this tab or the Waiting Room tab. The Cisco WebEx window will open when your hearing begins.
  3. On the left side of the Cisco WebEx window, select Connect to Audio, and select your audio method for attending the hearing.  NOTE: If using the “Call Me” feature, your phone cannot be set to “Do Not Disturb” when connecting to WebEx.
  4. On the right of the Cisco WebEx window, select the camera icon to activate your camera.
  5. When your hearing is completed, the WebEx window will close.
  6. You will be returned to the waiting room.
  7. If you have more hearings to attend, you will be notified when they are being called.