It happens to the best of us―getting pulled over for doing something less-than-smart while driving. In the unfortunate event that you receive a traffic ticket, it's important not to lose it under the car seat along with the ATM receipts and loose change.

Failing to address the citation just makes the situation progressively worse, so act as soon as you receive it―whether you choose to fight it or plead guilty and pay the fine. Otherwise, the Department of Motor Vehicles is likely to automatically suspend your license until you resolve the ticket.

Noncriminal traffic tickets are addressed by the local city, town, or village criminal courts in most of New York state (find your local courthouse), but in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, or the towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, or Smithtown in Suffolk County, you will interface instead with the Department of Motor Vehicles' Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB).

Instead of appearing before a judge in the above-mentioned areas, you'll have your case heard by a DMV administrative law judge, who has the authority to determine guilt and set fines. Criminal traffic violations such as DWI or reckless driving will still be addressed by the local criminal courts in these areas.

The DMV has nothing to do with parking tickets.

Pleading Not Guilty

To plead not guilty to a traffic citation, read the instructions on the back of the ticket, check "Not guilty," fill in the requested information, and send it to the address given within 15 days of the citation. The DMV will send you information about your scheduled court hearing where you may argue your case. To plead guilty, see Paying Your Traffic Ticket on this site.

Check Your Driving Record

Traffic Convictions

Aside from the fines imposed if you are found guilty of, or plead guilty to, a traffic citation, there are other, more long-term consequences for being nabbed.

Points

Most moving violation convictions result in points being added to your driving record, and you may have your license suspended for accumulating 11 or more points within 18 months.

NEW YORK DMV POINT SYSTEM

• Speeding (1-10 MPH over posted limit): 3 points
• Speeding (11-20 MPH over posted limit): 4 points
• Speeding (21-30 MPH over posted limit): 6 points
• Speeding (31-40 MPH over posted limit): 8 points
• Speeding (more than 40 MPH over posted limit): 11 points
• Reckless driving: 5 points
• Failing to stop for a school bus: 5 points
• Following too closely (tailgating): 4 points
• Inadequate brakes: 4 points
• Inadequate brakes while driving an employer's vehicle: 2 points
• Failing to yield right-of-way: 3 points
• Violation involving a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign: 3 points
• Railroad-crossing violation: 3 points
• Improper passing, unsafe lane change, driving left of center, or driving in wrong direction: 3 points
• Leaving the scene of an incident involving property damage or injury to a domestic animal: 3 points
• Safety restraint violation involving a person under 16: 3 points
• Any other moving violation: 2 points

Insurance

Insurance companies can increase your premiums based on your driving record. They check your record when they renew your policy, and sometimes all it takes is one speeding ticket to send your rates through the roof.

If you tend to get a lot of tickets, you risk having your insurance cancelled outright if the company decides your driving habits put you at greater odds of becoming involved in an accident. Driving without insurance is illegal in New York and could result in you losing not only your driver license but your vehicle's registration.

See Paying Your Traffic Ticket to find out how to reduce your insurance premiums after getting a ticket.

Driver Responsibility Program

If you accumulate only six points in an 18-month period, you probably won't have your license suspended, but you will be subject to a "driver responsibility assessment"―a fine paid once a year for three years to the DMV. The fine runs $100 a year for six points plus $25 a year for each additional point, for three years. Alcohol- or drug-related traffic violations cost $250 a year for three years. Read more about the Driver Responsibility Program.

Avoiding Tickets

It's easier to prevent a ticket than to deal with it afterward: Simply make it a habit to obey traffic laws and drive safely. These tips can help:

1. Drive defensively and never expect other drivers to do the right thing. Always be prepared to react to the unexpected.
2. Be alert. Driving when you're sleepy, exhausted, or physically tired can be deadly. If you're getting drowsy, pull over for a nap rather than risking your life and others' to get there on time.
3. Concentrate on only one thing: driving. Don't talk on your cell phone, apply makeup, or do the crossword―this causes accidents.

The National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) cites common errors drivers make that can result in a traffic ticket or an accident:

• Going too fast

• Going too slow

• Tailgating

• Unsafe passing

• Failure to use turn signals

• Failure to stay in your lane

• Not allowing a merge

• Failure to yield

• Ignoring red lights and stop signs

• Blocking an intersection

• Bad manners

• Ignorance of the rules

Remember, always wear your seatbelt!

TRAFFIC TICKET INFORMATION

• Traffic Violations Bureau Brochure
• Traffic Ticket FAQs