Press Release - 12-17-2015

DMV News

Contact:
Joe Morrissey    [email protected] 
Casey McNulty [email protected] 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 17, 2015

 

NEW YORK STATE DMV HIGHLIGHTS EPLEAD SYSTEM FOR MOTORISTS TICKETED
IN ROCHESTER AND NEW YORK CITY

More Than a Half-Million Transactions Done In-Person or Via Phone in 2014 Were Eligible to Be Completed Via ePlead, Now Easier for Out-of-State Motorists to Navigate


The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that nearly 567,000 Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) transactions done in DMV’s central office, upstate call centers, the Brooklyn call center, and TVB offices in 2014 could have instead been completed online. DMV’s ePlead system, launched in 2006, allows individuals who received traffic tickets in Rochester and New York City to complete several transactions online, saving them time and a trip to TVB offices, a particularly helpful service to out-of-state motorists. DMV has also recently made improvements to ePlead to simplify and clarify information needed from out-of-state motorists ticketed in New York, making it easier to complete TVB transactions online.

“No one wants or expects to get a ticket. But if you do, we want to make the process as easy as possible,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “While many drivers are taking advantage of our ePlead system, we’ve identified a half-million more who could be saving themselves time and decreasing wait times in TVB offices. DMV encourages anyone ticketed in New York City or Rochester to avoid the office and take care of their tickets online.”

While motorists entered more than 454,000 guilty pleas, payments, and not guilty pleas via ePlead in 2014, the following chart breaks down the transactions that could have been completed online:

Location of Completed Transaction

Guilty Pleas/Payments

Not Guilty Pleas

Total

Central Office Mail, Upstate Call Centers, and Brooklyn Call Center

127,661

157,546

285,207

TVB Offices

121,938

159,614

281,552

Total number of transactions that could have been completed via ePlead

249,599

317,160

566,759


On a monthly basis, ePlead processes an average of 18,000 guilty pleas (or more than half of guilty pleas processed in adjudication) and 18,600 not guilty pleas. Additionally, about 29,000 hearings are scheduled online.

Drivers whose TVB traffic tickets were issued in Rochester or New York City can do the following online:

  • Plead ‘Guilty’ to the ticket and pay the fines, fees, and surcharges that result from a plea of guilty.
  • Plead ‘Not Guilty’ to the ticket (dispute) and schedule a TVB hearing in the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued.
  • Pay the fines, fees, and surcharges that resulted from an earlier traffic ticket conviction.
  • Re-schedule a ‘Not Guilty’ hearing (one time).
  • Change an earlier ‘Not Guilty’ plea to a ‘Guilty’ plea.
  • Request to be notified when their traffic ticket has been entered into the DMV system.


DMV’s recent changes to ePlead make it simpler for out-of-state motorists to complete transactions online. The website now includes a question at the beginning of the process to split in-state and out-of-state motorists so the system can ask for specific information needed to complete the transaction (for example, out-of-state motorists would be unable to supply a client ID number specific to New York State motorists), making the process smoother and quicker.

More information on how to plead or pay a TVB traffic ticket or schedule a hearing outside of Rochester and New York City is available here. Please note that in some cases, it can take several days for a ticket to be reported to the DMV. The TVB does not handle parking violations, criminal driving violations (for example, DWI) or tickets answerable in a local court.

Most TVB tickets do not require a personal appearance at a TVB office. Drivers can enter their pleas on the tickets and include appropriate fees if pleading guilty by mail, and schedule a hearing or pay for a TVB ticket by calling 718-488-5710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and selecting option 5 (it will say "For general information..."). For this option, callers will need to make any payments by credit or debit card.

About DMV
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a national leader in providing efficient, innovative, and responsive government services. The agency issues secure identity documents, delivers essential motor vehicle and driver-related services, and administers motor vehicle laws enacted to promote safety and protect consumers. For more information, visit dmv.ny.gov, “like” DMV on Facebook, or follow @nysdmv on Twitter.

 

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