AA-3.3

The NY DMV AA-3.3 form, titled Application to Reopen Default Conviction, is a legal document used by motorists to request the reopening of traffic violation cases that resulted in a default conviction due to a failure to respond to a ticket or appear at a hearing. Filing this application is a necessary first step for individuals seeking to contest such convictions within the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB), as a standard appeal (Form AA-33) cannot be filed for a default judgment until the request to reopen has been processed and denied. Successfully reopening a case allows a driver to potentially mitigate the negative impacts on their driving record, such as points, increased insurance premiums, or license suspensions.

To be eligible, applicants must typically demonstrate valid grounds or extenuating circumstances that justified their original failure to appear or respond. The form requires specific details, including the applicant's name, NY Client ID number, date of birth, current mailing address, and the specific ticket number and date of violation. Once completed and signed, the form must be submitted to the DMV's TVB Default Unit for review. If the application to reopen is denied, the motorist then has 30 days from the date of that denial to file a formal appeal and pay the required $10 non-refundable fee.