Rochester Traffic Violations Agency

Contact Us 

 
Address

200 E. Main St.
Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604

Phone Number

585-428-6555

Email

RTVA@cityofrochester.gov

Hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In-person payments
accepted until 4:15 p.m.

Online payments
accepted any time
through nCourt
   
Parking Tickets:
To pay a parking
ticket, visit:
www.cityofrochester.gov/payments

Resolve your Traffic Ticket Online

Motorists who received a traffic ticket within the City of Rochester limits can resolve their traffic violation(s) online, communicate with the Rochester Traffic Violations Prosecutor, and determine whether you are eligible for a reduced plea offer.

Resolve-traffic-vio Button
Pay-Traffic-vio Button

About the City of Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 

The City of Rochester's Traffic Violations Agency (RTVA) adjudicates infractions of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law that were incurred in the City of Rochester. The RTVA assists the Rochester City Court in administering and disposing of certain traffic infractions. Most traffic infractions may be handled by the RTVA, while some specific traffic infractions will be handled in Rochester City Court.

Role of the RTVA Traffic Prosecutor

The RTVA Traffic Prosecutor is responsible for prosecuting traffic violations and is available to discuss cases both in-person and online. The Traffic Prosecutor conducts scheduled trials and questions both law enforcement and the ticket holder (if they wish to testify). Defense attorneys are encouraged to contact the traffic prosecutor in advance by mail at 200 E. Main St., Suite B-002, Rochester, NY 14604 or by fax at (585) 428-7225.

How to Reply, Plead and Pay for a Traffic Ticket

If you were issued a non-criminal Uniform Traffic Ticket for a moving violation in the City of Rochester, it will be handled by the Rochester Traffic Violations Agency. To avoid waiting and lines, you are encouraged to submit your plea by mail.

If your mailing address is different from the address written on the front of the ticket, please write the correct mailing address in the space provided on the ticket. NOTE: It is your responsibility to update your address with the N.Y. State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If you don't answer a traffic ticket in the time allowed, your driver’s license will be suspended. Later, you could be found guilty by default because of your failure to respond. Failure to pay would result in a license suspension for not paying the fine and a judgment would be entered against you.

To Plead Guilty

It is in your best interest to plead not guilty to determine what, if any offer the Traffic Prosecutor may make. If you wish to plead guilty, then follow the instructions on your ticket and sign Section “A” of the ticket. Fill in the requested information and mail it to:
Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604

To Plead Not Guilty

Read the instructions on your ticket and sign Section “B” of the ticket. Fill in the requested information and mail it to:
Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604

After receiving your not guilty plea, your case and driving history will be reviewed and the Traffic Prosecutor may authorize a reduced plea offer by mail if you are eligible. If you want to learn more about your ticket(s) you may also request a conference with the Traffic Prosecutor. If a reduced plea cannot be offered; or you do not wish to accept the plea; you will be scheduled for a trial before a Judicial Hearing Officer. 

Payments

After a plea of guilty to the original charge or an agreed upon reduced plea offer, a fine will be ordered by the RTVA. Fines must be paid on or before the payment due date. Payments can be made in person, by mail, by phone or online. Make checks payable to: Rochester City Treasurer

In-Person
Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604
By Mail
Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604

By Phone
You may pay by phone only AFTER you have answered your ticket and entered a plea of guilty . Payments may be made using a credit or debit card by calling (888) 912-1541 (service charges apply). Please have your ticket number or case number available. 

Online 
Pay here with a credit or debit card >>  Please have your ticket number or case number available (service charges apply). You may pay online only AFTER you have either:

  1.  Signed and returned your reduced plea offer;
  2.  Plead guilty; or
  3.  Have been convicted by default and entered a plea of guilty.

You can also pay parking tickets at the City's online payment portal >>

Important Additional Information
  • Failure to answer a traffic ticket could result in license suspension.
  • Driving with a suspended license is a crime. 
  • A felony conviction may result in fines of up to $5,000, jail, probation, or confiscation of your vehicle. 
  • All suspension lift fees must be paid in cash or money order. 
  • Suspension lift fees are $70 per suspended ticket.
  • Your suspended license will be restored only once suspension lift fees have been paid, or after you've entered into a payment plan.
Trials

If you request a trial, your case will be heard by a Judicial Hearing Officer, an experienced judge with special training in the Vehicle & Traffic Law. Just as in traffic courts in other areas of the state, the Traffic Prosecutor will elicit testimony from the law enforcement officer who issued your traffic ticket(s) and you may present witnesses and evidence at your trial.  You have a right to be represented by an attorney at all stages. A Judicial Hearing Officer has the authority to decide whether or not you are guilty and to set a fine if you are found guilty. 

A Judicial Hearing Officer also has the authority to revoke or suspend your driver’s license when required by law or when the Judicial Hearing Officer believes it is in the interest of traffic safety.

If you don't appear for trial, your driver’s license will be suspended and you could be found guilty by default because of your failure to appear.

Time & Location

Traffic trials are held: Tuesday and Thursday    9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Check in times are 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Trials are held at:

Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Suite B-002
Rochester, NY 14604

If You Are Scheduled for Trial

  • You must appear on the date and time listed on your trial notice . 
  • Bring your trial notice with you including any evidence or witnesses necessary for your case.
  • Bring your Photo ID (required).
  • Allow ample travel time in order to find parking and to pass through security. You may be required to pass through a metal detector when entering the building. Cell phones must be turned off at all times. Bring money for the parking meters.
  • Failure to appear may result in a Default Conviction.
Adjournment - To Adjourn your Trial
  • You may request to postpone and reschedule your trial to a different date only once. 
  • Adjournment requests must be received in writing at least 10 days before the date of your trial.
  • You may make your postponement request in-person least 10 days prior to your trial date.
  • Your request must include "good cause" for your trial to be postponed.
  • “Good cause” is subject to approval by the Judicial Hearing Officer.
  • Second requests for adjournments will not be considered by the agency.
Appeal After a Guilty Verdict
 
You have a right to appeal a traffic violation conviction and sentence within the timelines set by law. The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency appeal process is governed by the Criminal Procedure Law. Appeals must be made through a superior court and are not made directly through the agency.
  • The agency cannot assist you in the appeals process.
  • RTVA clerks are not permitted to give legal advice.
  • An individual who needs legal assistance may contact the Monroe County Bar Association at (585) 546-1817 for referral to a private attorney.
  • Guidance is also available at the Seventh Judicial District Help Center in the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., 5th Floor, Room 525, Rochester, NY 14614.