You do have to pay the speed camera ticket issued to the rented car. If you happen to get a ticket from a speed camera, red light camera, or other camera in New York City, and the rental car agency pays the ticket, you will get a bill from them for the cost of the ticket, plus a processing fee. But there’s more to it.
The Ticket Goes to the Agency
In New York City, red light and speed camera tickets belong to the car, not the driver. Only the license plate number is necessary. If you were driving a rental car, though, you have a problem. The owner of the vehicle is the rental agency, not you, and the ticket goes to the agency.
When a red light camera or speed camera ticket is issued to the rental car, the rental agency gets notice. Then they go to their records to figure out who rented the car when the ticket was issued. Then they send the cost of the ticket, plus a fee, to you. The fee the rental agency charges depends on the rental agency. Now, the car rental agreement between you and the agency may specifically state that you have to pay the cost of the ticket, and they have a legal right to pursue the driver for the tickets.
By agreeing to pay the cost of any tickets against the rental, you cover more than just speed camera and red light tickets. Most rental agreements also cover tolls, and they let the car rental agency pay parking tickets and then charge you for them along with the agency’s own fee. But it’s best to pay a parking ticket before returning the car.
To pass a speed camera ticket on, the rental agency has to send back to the ticketing agency the name and address of the person who rented the car at the time of the violation. This can happen any time within 37 days of the rental agency getting the violation. If the company does give your name and address within this time frame, then you are treated as the owner of the vehicle, are held liable, and must pay for the violation. But if the rental agency doesn’t give the ticketing agency this information within that window, the rental agency is still liable for the violation.
Rental agencies typically have their own processing fee (usually $30 to $50) for handling such camera violations. This charge for the speed camera or red light ticket will usually show up as a line item on your credit card bill. Even if the ticket is later cancelled, the rental company typically will still charge you the administrative fee, because the paperwork was already done. They argue that, even if you don’t pay the cost of the ticket, they still had to process the matter, so you should still have to pay the fee.
Personal Driving Record
Speed camera or red light camera violations don’t go on your personal driving record. If it is a real traffic ticket that is given to you by a police officer, and is a criminal or moving violation, then it can be put on your driving record. Speed camera violations are not criminal or moving violations. The camera tickets only involve a monetary fine. You also don’t have to worry about your car insurance going up just because you received a violation.
Still, speed cameras snap pictures of cars traveling more than 10 miles over the limit, and tickets can pop up in your mail even if you’re passing through an unfamiliar city. And city school-zone speed cameras have been running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round since August 1, 2022. That includes times when children are absent for school holidays and during all hours of night and day.
Do Not Ignore It
If your red light or speed camera ticket involves a rental car, do not ignore it. It can lead to headaches for you down the road. Respond to a New York City speed camera ticket (Notice of Liability) as soon as you get it. You have 30 days to dispute it (online, by mail or in person). Even if you received a bill for the violation from the rental company, you can still contest it.
Ignoring a camera ticket from a rental car will trigger late fees and additional fines. If left long enough, the fines can lead to collections and impact your credit score. The rental company may also put you on a Do Not Rent list, so you won’t be able to use it again.
If you are renting a car, it is best to avoid red light and speed camera tickets. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to watch for speed camera tickets from a rental car agency and to handle them properly.
