Long Island Traffic Tickets

Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island run their own traffic/parking violations agencies and many villages have their own courts. Nassau County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency (TPVA) in Garden City handles most non-criminal moving and parking violations outside village courts; it also offers “Plea by Mail” for eligible cases. Suffolk County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency (SCTPVA) in Hauppauge handles most moving/parking violations in the five western towns; many East End town/village violations are heard in local justice courts. Online “Enter a Plea” and payment are available.

Who Handles What on Long Island?

Nassau County

• Primary forum: Nassau County TPVA (administrative agency). Handles most countywide tickets not returnable to a village/city court (e.g., tickets on parkways and unincorporated areas).
• Village/City courts: Many villages (and the Cities of Long Beach & Glen Cove) have their own courts for violations inside their limits. t
• Not TVB: NYC TVB rules don’t apply here.

Suffolk County

• Primary forum: SCTPVA adjudicates moving/parking and red-light camera matters in the five western towns.
• East End/local courts: Many tickets in the East End towns and numerous villages go to local justice courts rather than SCTPVA.

Nassau County TPVA – Essential Info

Address: 801 Axinn Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 572-2700
Public hours to appear: Weekdays 9:00–11:30 AM and 1:00–3:30 PM (check site for holiday/updates).
Night Court: Offered on posted dates.
Online: Search/pay tickets; Plea by Mail program for eligible cases (excludes speeding and other listed offenses).

Key links:

• Search or pay tickets (official TPVA portal).
• Plea by Mail: Prosecutor reviews; any offer requires Judicial Hearing Officer (JHO) approval; some offense types are ineligible (e.g., speeding, school-bus, leaving scene).

Suffolk County SCTPVA — Essential Info

Office: 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, North Entrance (Ground Floor), Hauppauge, NY 11788
Mailing: PO Box 9000, Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 853-3800
Hours: Mon–Fri, generally 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (cashier/clerk).
Online: Enter a plea (guilty/not guilty/request reduced charge) and pay tickets online.

Helpful pages:

• General Information & Plea Instructions (how to plead, timelines).
• Moving Violations (how guilty/not-guilty pleas are processed; no personal checks).

Typical Process After You’re Ticketed (Nassau & Suffolk)

1. Read the back of your ticket and respond by the deadline (often 15 days to plead guilty or not guilty – Suffolk’s instructions cover both).
2. Choose a plea path:
   • Guilty: JHO imposes a fine/surcharge; you’ll get payment instructions.
   • Not Guilty / Conference: You’ll be scheduled for a conference or hearing. In Nassau, you may apply for Plea by Mail (if eligible) for a prosecutor’s offer by mail; any offer needs JHO approval. In Suffolk, you can request a reduced charge via the online plea workflow or appear for conference.
3. Pay on time to avoid license/registration issues; both agencies provide official online payment portals.

Are the Courts “Lenient”? What to Expect

• Dismissals aren’t guaranteed. Both agencies emphasize timely response and adjudication; outcomes depend on the charge, your driving record, and the facts. Prosecutors commonly negotiate reductions in appropriate cases, but some violations are ineligible (e.g., speeding is excluded from Nassau’s Plea by Mail). Any negotiated reduction still needs JHO approval.
• Village/town courts vary. If your ticket is returnable to a village or local justice court, practices can differ by court. (That’s why some Nassau/Suffolk matters go to TPVA/SCTPVA while others stay local.)

Points, Insurance & Courses (Statewide Rules)

• Points add up statewide. NYS DMV’s point system tracks convictions; 6+ points in 18 months triggers a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA).
• Defensive Driving (PIRP/IPIRP): Taking a DMV-approved course can reduce your active point total by up to 4 points (for suspension calculations) and may earn an insurance discount. It doesn’t erase the convictions.
• Find approved providers (classroom or online).

What If My Ticket Says “TVB”?

That’s NYC only (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island). Long Island tickets do not go to TVB; they’re handled by Nassau TPVA, Suffolk SCTPVA, or a local village/town court.

Fast FAQ

Where do I pay a Nassau ticket?
Via Nassau TPVA’s official search/pay portal or in person at 801 Axinn Ave., Garden City.

Can I resolve a Nassau ticket by mail?
Sometimes. Nassau offers Plea by Mail (not for speeding or other listed offenses). A prosecutor reviews your application; any deal must be approved by a JHO.

Where do I go in Suffolk?
Most western-Suffolk tickets go to SCTPVA in Hauppauge; some East End and village matters go to local justice courts.

How do I ask Suffolk for a reduction?
Use SCTPVA’s online Enter a Plea / Request Reduced Charge workflow or appear for a conference/hearing.

What about points?
See DMV’s statewide point rules and DRA. Consider a DMV-approved PIRP course (up to 4 active points reduced for suspension purposes).

Legal Disclaimer: This page is informational and not legal advice. Ticket outcomes vary by charge, record, and court. For specific cases, consult the agency links above or a Long Island based traffic attorney.