Can I resolve my traffic ticket online?

In order to resolve your traffic ticket online, you will need the information on your ticket or courtesy notice to proceed with any of the previously mentioned options. For more information on how you can pay your tickets from any county in your state, go to your states DMV website.

Ways to Resolve:

  • Check the status of a ticket by your states driver's license number
  • Check the status of a ticket by citation number
  • Pay for a ticket
  • Request traffic school
  • Request a court date
  • Request a 30-day extension to complete traffic school
  • Request a 60-day extension from the court appearance date on the ticket
  • Request a 90-day extension to make a fine payment
NOTE: Effective July 1, 2011, one conviction in any 18-month period will remain confidential on your driving record so long as you complete a traffic school program. However, if you are eligible but opt not to attend traffic school, your automobile insurance may be affected.

What is a Courtesy Notice?

What is a Courtesy Notice?

A courtesy notice is not required by law, but is mailed as a service of the court to provide information to help you resolve a traffic ticket. If you receive a courtesy notice, it will contain the ticket information entered in the Court’s traffic management system. Typically, a courtesy notice is mailed three or four weeks after a ticket is received. More specifically, a courtesy notice will usually provide additional information regarding your violation, including the:
  • Amount of your fine, including penalty assessment
  • Amount due for traffic school (if eligible)
  • Amount due for correctable violations
  • Options for entering a not guilty plea for a court trial or trial by written declaration
  • Date and time scheduled for your court appearance

Can I check the status of my traffic ticket online?

You can check the status of your traffic ticket online using the Search by Driver’s License Number feature.
You will need to provide your: 
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number
  • The assigned court for your ticket
  • The law enforcement agency that issued the ticket
  • The citation number
  • Your date of birth

When can I pay my traffic ticket fine?

You may pay the amount of your fine or bail anytime before your scheduled date to appear in Court. The bail on a ticket is the amount of money required that will guarantee your appearance in Court.

The methods of paying your ticket:

  • By online services
  • By phone
  • By mail
  • In-person at the Court location

If you pay your fine but do not appear in court:

  • The bail is forfeited
  • The case may be closed
  • The ticket information is forwarded to the DMV and recorded on your driving record
If you do not pay your fine before hand, you must appear in court for an arraignment hearing. At your hearing, you may:
  • Pay the money due for bail
  • Request permission to attend CA traffic school
  • Plea how you wish
In addition, options such as Traffic School, or online traffic school are available to resolve a citation. Most counties within states also have several programs. If you pay your citation, it will be reported on your record, which may show for a period of 3 years. NOTE: Some violations require a mandatory court appearance and cannot be paid online or by phone.

How do I schedule a court date?

The first court date will be your arraignment hearing. Usually an arraignment is set only through an appointment and Court meetings are typically made for morning and afternoon. You have the option to schedule your own hearing, or if you appoint an attorney, they can do so. It is important to note that arraignments dates cannot be changed or canceled once they are set.

Options for scheduling your arraignment hearing are:

    • Online
  • By phone
  • In person at the Court
NOTE: If you fail to appear or pay your fine by the due date, a hold may be placed on your driver's license, or worse, a warrant can be issued for your arrest.

Where do I schedule a night court arraignment hearing?

You can schedule your night court hearing by phone or online through the court specified on your citation.

Can I request an extension for my court date?

Yes. You can request a 60-day extension on your court date if you are eligible. You can make such a request using Online Services. NOTE: If you are not eligible for an extension, this option will automatically not appear.

If You Plead Not Guilty, you may choose your trial type:

  • Court Trial
  • Summary Trial
  • Trial by Written Declaration
If you have gotten a fix-it ticket or correctable violations added to your citation, proof of correction will be required before you can pay the ticket. Your proof must be submitted by mail or in person, not online or by phone. Your ticket may be for, or include:
  • Mechanical equipment problems
  • Expired vehicle registration
  • Expired driver’s license
  • No proof of insurance
Furthermore, your charges may be masked if you have proof of correction by the due date and pay the required fee for your violation. In addition, the proof of correction certification must be provided by an authorized agency, which may also require a fee. While this fee is not too substantial, it can add up with all of the other fees involved with your citation.