Frequently Asked Questions

Unpaid traffic fines are eventually referred to a collection agency. After referral, payment must be made to the collection agency Pioneer Credit Recovery; the courts will not accept payment.

1. My case has been referred to the collection agency, how do I pay the fees and fines?
2. I was told by the collections agency that in addition to my traffic fine, I also have to pay 21 percent of the total amount due, is this true?
3. Will referral of the outstanding judgment to PCR have an impact on my credit rating?
4. Are all delinquent traffic judgments referred to the collection agency? If not, what judgments are not forwarded?
5. I’ve misplaced my reference number. How do I find my reference number?
6. When can I call to speak to someone at PCR?
7. How many days do I have to make payment on a judgment before it is sent to PCR?
8. How long is a case payable via IVR/eTraffic?
9. I got a letter in the mail notifying me that my case was submitted to PCR, but I already paid for the citation, what should I do?
10. If a registration stopper has been issued and collection of the judgment for fees and fines has been sent to the collection agency, may a person still file a motion to set aside the judgment and what are the procedures?
11. Does filing a motion to set aside or vacate a judgment stop the collection agency from trying to collect?
12. If the judge grants my motion to set aside or vacate the judgment, will the court notify the collection agency to stop the collection effort?
13. What if the motorist has other outstanding court orders?
14. If the new owner of a vehicle learns there is a registration stopper on the vehicle as a result of a judgment that was referred to the collection agency, can the new owner show proof of new ownership to the court to obtain a clearance?
15. What does a person need to clear a stopper?
16. I completed making payments to PCR. Will they send me a notification that payment was completed?

1. My case has been referred to the collection agency, how do I pay the fees 
and fines?

Payment can be made to the collection agency, Pioneer Credit Recovery (PCR) by way of their online payment system or by calling 1-866-802-0053. To expedite the transaction, you need:

• The reference number (This can be found on the notice you received or by calling the PCR)
• The zip code of your mailing address
• Your VISA or MasterCard number and
• Your credit card billing information

There is an additional $10 convenience fee for credit and debit card transactions.

Electronic check processing (Automated Clearing House or ACH) transactions can be made by way of PCR’s online payment system or by calling 866-802-0053. To expedite the transaction, you need:

• • The reference number (This can be found on the notice you received or by calling PCR)
  • The zip code of your mailing address
  • Your checking account information (i.e. bank account and routing numbers) and
  • Your billing address

There is an additional $10 convenience fee for electronic check transactions. Please allow up to 14 days for clearance.

Payment in the form of check and money order can be sent by mail to:

Pioneer Credit Recovery (PCR)
P.O. Box 345
Arcade, NY 14009

Please make sure to include your full name and reference number on the memo line of your check or money order. Allow up to 14 days for clearance for all personal and electronic checks.

PCR accepts payments made through Western Union Quick Collect. Please visit your local Western Union location. You must have the following information for:

Western Union Quick Collect Information

Send to: Pioneer Credit Recovery
Code City: PCRNY
State: New York
Account “Reference Number” (This can be found on the notice you received or by calling PCR.)
Western Union will charge a service fee for the transaction
Payments can be made at any Western Union station.

2. I was told by the collections agency that in addition to my traffic fine, I also have to pay 21 percent of the total amount due, is this true?

Yes, the responsible party, which may be an individual or an organization, will be required to pay the collection agency’s fee of approximately 21 percent of the outstanding fine balance owed to the State.

3. Will referral of the outstanding judgment to Pioneer Credit Recovery (PCR) have an impact on my credit rating?

PCR will report to the major credit reporting agencies all delinquent debt (as defined by the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act) for adjudicated cases with an outstanding judgment greater than $25.

4. Are all delinquent traffic judgments referred to the collection agency? If not, what judgments are not forwarded?

Juvenile cases and cases with restitution owed are not forwarded to the collection agency.

5. I’ve misplaced my reference number. How do I find my reference number?

Your reference number can be found in the collection letter. If you don’t have the letter, contact PCR. Be prepared to provide the citation number and your date of birth.

6. When can I call to speak to someone at PCR?

Customer service representatives are available during the following hours:

Monday -Friday 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

7. How many days do I have to make payment on a judgment before it is sent to PCR?

If the judgment is $500 or less, 90 days after entry of judgment. If the judgment is more than $500, 180 days. See Hawaii Civil Traffic Rule 20.

8. How long is a case payable via IVR/eTraffic?

Cases are payable via IVR/eTraffic 110 days after the violation date, or approximately 90 days after a judgment has been entered regardless of the judgment amount.

9. I got a letter in the mail notifying me that my case was submitted to PCR, but I already paid for the citation, what should I do?

Your payment may have been processed during the transfer of the judgment to the collection agency. If an error is found in submitting your case to PCR, the court may recall the referral or send a copy of your receipt to PCR. To obtain a copy of your receipt, call or send a written request to the district court that processed your payment.

10. If a registration stopper has been issued and collection of the judgment for fees and fines has been sent to the collection agency, may a person still file a motion to set aside the judgment, and what are the procedures?

Court rules govern when motions may be filed. The complete set of court rules, including the Hawai`i Civil Traffic Rules, are available on the Judiciary’s Web site.

11. Does filing a motion to set aside or vacate a judgment stop the collection agency from trying to collect?

No.

12. If the judge grants my motion to set aside or vacate the judgment, will the court notify the collection agency to stop the collection effort?

Yes, the court will notify PCR by electronic interface. You may also want to ask the court for a certified copy of the order granting your motion and provide it to the collection agency.

13. What if the motorist has other outstanding court orders?

Remitting full payment to the collections agency will not relieve the defendant from non-monetary obligations.

14. If the new owner of a vehicle learns there is a registration stopper on the vehicle as result of a judgment that was referred to the collection agency, can the new owner show proof of new ownership to the court to obtain a clearance?

Yes.

15. What does a person need to clear a stopper?

Either proof the judgment has been paid in full and that other conditions of the judgment have been performed or proof the person is a new owner.

If the judgment was sent to a collection agency and the agency was paid, the agency will submit proof of payment to the court in due course and the stopper will be vacated then.

16. I completed making payments to PCR. Will they send me a notification that the payment was completed?

Notification that payment has been received is not automatically sent. Once the final payment has been cleared, you can request an official receipt from the court that shows your case has been resolved.