Information about Safety and Business Hearings

The Division of Safety and Business Hearings is located at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Central Office in Albany, NY. The Division consists of clerical staff that provide support for the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) that adjudicate DMV administrative safety hearings throughout New York State.

Traffic violations are NOT handled by the Division of Safety and Business Hearings. For traffic violations, visit Tickets, Points and Penalties.

Some of the case types that the Division of Safety and Business Hearings adjudicate are listed below. Please click the hearing type to learn more. For requests related to a hearing, please visit Requests. For additional information, see the list of Hearing FAQs. 

Bus
Chemical Test RefusalDriving SchoolExcess Speed
False Statement, Cheating and/or Substitution
Fatal Accident
Junior Operator
Medical Review
Non-Payment of Toll
Persistent Violator
Point/Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)
Repeat Alcohol / Drug Offender
Snowmobile Chemical Test Refusal
Under 21 Chemical Test Refusal
Vehicle Safety (Inspector, Inspection Station, Dealer/Transporter, Repair/Body Shop)
Vessel Chemical Test Refusal
Zero Tolerance



Bus

Bus hearings are held pursuant to Article 19A of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and/or Part 6 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. For questions pertaining to the charges of your case, please contact the Bus Unit: 518-473-9455. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.


Chemical Test Refusal

Chemical Test Refusal hearings are held pursuant to Section 1194 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to investigate the alleged refusal of the respondent to submit to a chemical test and to determine whether the respondent’s license and/or driving privileges should be revoked.  This chemical test refusal hearing is independent of the criminal court case.

If you wish to waive your right to a hearing for a DMV Chemical Test Refusal, please complete and submit the Waiver of Hearing (PDF) (AA-137W).


Driving School

Driving School hearings are held pursuant to Sections 392 and 394 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and Part 76 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. For questions pertaining to the charges of your case, please contact the Driving School Unit: 518-473-7174, Option 3. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.


Excess Speed

Excess Speed hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, to investigate a violation of Section 1180(b), an Excess Speed violation, and to determine whether said motorist’s license and/or driving privileges and/or any registration(s) should be suspended or revoked.


False Statement, Cheating and/or Substitution

False Statement, Cheating, and/or Substitution hearings are held pursuant to Section 392 and/or 509 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to determine whether said motorist’s license and/or driving privileges and/or any registration(s) should be suspended or revoked.



Fatal Accident

Fatal Accident hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to investigate a fatal accident, also to determine whether a motorist accident report (MV-104) was filed by respondent(s) pursuant to Section 605 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and whether the named respondent(s) registration, license and/or driving privileges should be suspended or revoked. For more information, visit Motorist Accident Reports.


Junior Operator

Junior Operator hearings are held Pursuant to Section 510(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, for a misuse of junior operator’s privileges to determine whether said motorist’s license and/or driving privileges and/or any registration(s) should be suspended or revoked.

 


Medical Review

Medical Review hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to review the determination of the Medical Review Unit to suspend the respondent’s license pending the submission of an acceptable medical statement. For more information, visit DMV's Medical Review Program


 


Non-Payment of Toll

Non-Payment of Toll hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3)(d) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and Part 127 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. These hearings are held, only to determine if the tolling authorities notified you about your non-payment of tolls and if your failure to respond to such notices warrants a suspension of your registration.

At this hearing you will not be able to contest the violations and/or fees leading to the suspension of your registration. If you would like to pay your fees or contest your violations, please contact the tolling authority. The contact information may be found on your MV-110U “Notice of Registration Suspension”.

NYS Thruway Authority: (718) 313-9414
Port Authority NY/NJ: (718) 313-9525
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA): (718) 313-9424

For further information, visit registration suspensions for failure to pay tolls.

 


Persistent Violator

Persistent Violator hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, to investigate your habitual and/or persistent violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and to determine whether your license and/or driving privileges and/or registration(s) should be suspended or revoked.

 


Point/Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)

Point/Insurance Reduction Program hearings are held pursuant to Sections 392, 394, 399 and/or alleged violations of Article 12-B of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and Parts 76, 138, and/or 141 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. 

For questions pertaining to the charges of your case, please call: 518-473-7174, Option 2. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

 


Repeat Alcohol / Drug Offender

Repeat Alcohol/Drug Offender hearings are held pursuant to Section 510(3)(a), 510(3)(d) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and 15 NYCRR Part 132 to determine whether your license and/or driving privileges should be revoked because of the alcohol/ drug-related convictions and serious driving offenses on your driving record. For further information, visit Penalties for Multiple Offenders.  

 


Snowmobile Chemical Test Refusal

Snowmobile Chemical Test Refusal hearings are held pursuant to Section 25.24 of the Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation Law to investigate the alleged refusal of the respondent to submit to a chemical test and to determine whether the respondent’s right to operate a snowmobile should be suspended.


Under 21 Chemical Test Refusal

Under 21 Chemical Test Refusal hearings are held pursuant to Section 1194-a of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to investigate the alleged refusal of the respondent to submit to a chemical test and to determine whether said motorist’s license and/or driving privileges should be revoked.

 


Vehicle Safety (Inspector, Inspection Station, Dealer/Transporter, Repair/Body Shop)

Vehicle Safety hearings are held pursuant to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to investigate the alleged violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and/or Commissioner’s Regulations and to determine whether, as a result, a suspension or revocation, finding of financial loss, and/or civil penalty should be imposed.


Vessel Chemical Test Refusal

Vessel Chemical Test Refusal hearings are held pursuant to Section 49-A of the New York State Navigation Law to investigate the alleged refusal of the the respondent to submit to a chemical test and to determine whether the respondent’s right to operate a vessel should be suspended.



Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance hearings are held pursuant to Section 1192-a of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to investigate the alleged operation of a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol under the age of 21 and to determine whether the respondent’s license and/or driving privileges should be suspended or revoked.