Parking Violations Bureau (PVB)

The Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) is the unit within NYC Department of Finance that adjudicates all parking and camera violation summonses issued by NYPD traffic agents, DOT, Parks, Sanitation, and automated cameras. PVB is a quasi-judicial administrative body, not a court, and it handles millions of tickets per year.

It is distinct from OATH — the two agencies split NYC's violation caseload, with PVB handling DOF parking + camera tickets and OATH handling environmental (idling, noise) and most commercial vehicle violations. For fleet operators, PVB is the first stop for any contest of a DOF parking or camera ticket. Respondents have three paths: pay, contest by mail, or contest in person at one of the borough hearing offices.

PVB hearings are less formal than OATH hearings and are decided by administrative law judges trained specifically in parking law. Most PVB hearings are decided the same day. If a fleet loses, the determination can be appealed through PVB's internal appeals process. Clear Plates organizes the evidence needed for PVB contests — photos, timestamps, rental agreements, GPS logs — so fleet managers walk into hearings (or mail contests) prepared.