Yes, in addition to being reviewed by the ATE system contractor, each citation is verified and approved by a police officer. The reviewing police officer signs a statement on the citation that indicates the vehicle was being operated in violation of the law based on inspection of the recorded images. 

The registered vehicle owner may request a hearing to challenge an Automated Speed Enforcement citation. The owner has thirty (30) days from the date of the issuance of the citation to contest an Automated Speed Enforcement Violation. At this point, the vehicle owner has the option to contest the violation either by mail or in person. If no response is received, either in the form of payment or a hearing request, you lose your right to appeal. 

Instructions are included on the citation to explain the three ways to contest a ticket:

1. COURT HEARING: If you wish to contest this violation in court, you must sign the coupon included in your citation and mail it to confirm your court hearing. Your case will be administratively reviewed, and you will be notified, in writing, of the location, date and time of your court hearing. A person who is found liable for a violation after the court hearing shall pay the penalty within 30 days of the determination of liability.

2. AFFIDAVIT OF NON-LIABILITY: If the motor vehicle or the license plate captured by the speed monitoring system recorded image was sold or stolen prior to the violation date, or if there is a DMV registration error, or if the offense was ticketed by the Police Department, or you were not the operator/driver of the vehicle on that date, time and location which the violation occurred, the owner may submit information to that effect by filling out an Affidavit of Non-Liability and mailing it prior to the payment due date on the front of your notice. Send your Affidavit of Non-Liability, the required supporting documentation, and a copy of this Notice of Violation to the address provided in your citation. The Affidavit of Non-Liability form can be accessed here or downloaded at www.onlinecitationpayment.com. You will need your Summons # and PIN printed on the front of your notice.

3. AFFIDAVIT OF NON-OPERATION (Rental and Leasing Companies ONLY): 46.2-882.1 - Provides the notified owner of a vehicle who was not the driver the ability to file an Affidavit of Non-Operation by regular mail affirming he/she was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. The Affidavit of Non-Operation form can be accessed here or downloaded at www.onlinecitationpayment.com. You will need your Summons # and PIN printed on the front of your notice. Your Affidavit of Non-Operation must be received prior to the payment due date on the front of this Notice. Send your Affidavit of Non-Operation, the required supporting documentation, and a copy of your Notice of Violation to the address provided in your citation.

To pay online: You may view your citation images and pay your fine at onlinecitationpayment.com. 

To pay by phone: Please call the Albemarle County Automated Enforcement Division Customer Service Call Center toll-free at (866) 271-1171 to pay by credit card 24/7. Between 8 am and 5 pm EST, Monday – Friday, a representative will assist you with payments or questions. 

To pay by mail: To pay the citation, mail the return coupon from your fine notice along with a check or money order, payable to the County of Albemarle. We do not accept cash. To ensure proper processing, print the citation number on your payment. Send payment to: Albemarle County, Attn: Altumint Speed Camera Coordinator, PO BOX 830629, Philadelphia, PA 19182-0629.

For the school zone speed camera program: The automated speed cameras measure the speed of each passing vehicle. A series of videos and photographs document the vehicles traveling at or above a determined speed threshold. The date, time, and location of the violation, as well as the speed and license plate of the violator’s vehicle, are recorded. Following the proper identification of the registered owner of the vehicle using the license plate number, the registered owner is mailed a citation, which includes the violation photos and vehicle speed. 

For the school bus stop arm program: The automated school bus stop arm cameras measure the location and movement of a vehicle when a school bus stops and the stop arm is extended. A series of videos and photographs are recorded to document vehicles traveling through the extended stop arm. The date, time, and location of the violation, as well as the license plate of the violator's vehicle, are recorded. Following the proper identification of the vehicle's registered owner using the license plate number, the registered owner is mailed a citation, including the violation photos.

"Photo enforced" signs under speed limit signs on the designated roads will alert drivers that speed cameras may be used in that area.

Yes, digital video (school bus stop arm cameras) and still photographs (school zone speed cameras) will be made available to the registered vehicle owner. The recorded speed will also be made available. Instructions on the violation will show you how to access the images on a secured website.

For the school zone speed camera program: Violation fines are $100.

For the school bus stop arm program: Violations are $250.

For the school zone speed camera program: The cameras are enforcing during school hours when children are going to or from school, as indicated by flashing lights in the school zone.

For the school bus stop arm program: The cameras are enforcing when the stop arm is extended and the school bus's red lights are flashing.

For the school zone speed camera program: The cameras are located in the school zones on Hydraulic Road northbound and southbound and on Rockfish Gap Turnpike/U.S. 250 eastbound and westbound in Crozet.

For the school bus stop arm camera program: Four buses have been selected to start the 2025-26 school year based on routes with frequent stop arm violations. The results of these initial four buses will be closely monitored, and additional systems may be added during the school year based on supporting data.

Both the school zone speed camera and school bus stop arm camera programs are entirely funded by violators, with no cost to taxpayers. Revenue from fines covers the costs of implementing and administering the program. Any funds in excess of program costs for the school zone speed cameras are allocated to Albemarle County's General Fund to specifically be used for traffic safety initiatives, while funds in excess for the school bus stop arm cameras are allocated to Albemarle County Public Schools.

No. Photo speed violations are civil fines that are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Yes, for the new systems in 2025, there is a 30-day warning period. This applies to the school bus stop arm camera program and the school zone speed cameras on Rockfish Gap Turnpike/U.S. 250. Violations recorded within the first 30 days will receive warning notices only. 

The warning period does not apply to the school zone speed cameras on Hydraulic Road, which were installed in 2024.