Traffic Ticket

You may be eligible for traffic school if you have not attended in the last 18 months and the violation(s) qualify. Your Violation Information Notice will include the amount to pay to the court to go to traffic school. A separate fee will be paid to the Traffic School provider. You can sign up and pay online, by phone or in person at any of the five court locations.

• Masks (conceals) the ticket from certain entities such as auto insurance companies, except as noted below.
• Keeps "points" from showing up on your DMV record. If you get points on your record, your insurance company may ask you to pay more for insurance, or they may cancel your policy.

Effective January 1, 2013, Class A, B or Commercial Class C licensed drivers cited while driving a noncommercial vehicle, are eligible to attend traffic school based on existing eligibility requirements. The conviction will not be masked on the driver’s record, however, no point(s) will be assessed.

If you cannot afford to pay for the traffic school fee in one lump sum, you can make payments by completing the Agreement to Pay Traffic Violator School Fees in Installments (TR-310). Payments arrangements are not available online or through the mail. Bring the form to the Traffic Division of one of five court locations. Once you have established a payment plan, you can opt for the ease and convenience of having your payments automatically charged to your credit card.

More information is available on signing up for traffic school, paying for traffic school, getting an extension to enroll or complete traffic school, and submitting proof of completion.

You can forfeit (pay) the bail. No court appearance is required and your case will be closed. Your courtesy Violation Information Notice will have the amount you owe and the methods of payment.

More information is available, including paying your ticket online, by phone, or in person at one of five court locations.

If you cannot afford to pay the amount of your ticket in one lump sum, you can make payments by completing the Agreement to Pay Bail In Installments (TR-300). At this time, payment arrangements are not available online or through the mail. Bring the form to the Traffic Division at one of the five court locations. Once you have established a payment plan, you can opt for the ease and convenience of having your payments automatically charged to your credit card.

You can see the Judge (called an arraignment hearing).The judge will explain your options, including setting a trial date if you wish to contest the traffic ticket (pleading not guilty). You must reserve a date to see the judge.

• A court trial date set and appear before a judge, or
• A Request For Trial by Written Declaration (TR-205) in which no appearance is necessary. Read Instructions to Defendant (Trial by Written Declaration) (TR-200) for more information on a trial by declaration.

More information is available on contesting your citation.

If you had insurance at the time you received your ticket, you can show the clerk (either in person or by mail) proof that you had insurance. You must also pay the court a transaction fee (refer to your courtesy Violation Information Notice for the fee). If you did not have insurance or obtained insurance after you received the ticket, you must pay the full bail (fine) on your Notice or reserve a date to see the judge.

For more information, visit the General Information section and select the "How Do I Take Care of Insurance Violations?" and "How Do I Reserve a Court Date?"

If you were cited for California Vehicle Code section 12951 and you had a valid driver’s license at the time you received your ticket, you can show the clerk your license, either in person or a copy by mail. You must also pay the court a transaction fee. Refer to your courtesy Violation Information Notice for the amount.

Other license violations such as California Vehicle Code sections 12500 and 14601 may require a mandatory court appearance. Follow the instructions on your Violation Information Notice or contact the court prior to the date indicated on your citation.

You must show the clerk, either in person or a copy by mail, proof of current registration or that the vehicle has been reduced to scrap (junked). You must also pay the court a transaction fee. Refer to your courtesy Violation Information Notice for the amount.

If you cannot show proof then you are required to see the judge. You must reserve a date to see the judge.

Most equipment violations such as a headlight that is out, tinted windows, and bald tires may be dismissed by having a law enforcement officer sign the Certificate of Correction on the back of your ticket. Pollution Control Device violations must be certified by a smog check station licensed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Return the signed off ticket in person or by mail to the court along with the transaction fee listed on your courtesy Violation Information Notice.

For some violations, you can choose to forfeit (pay) bail rather than show the court proof of correction if it is not your vehicle or you cannot or do not want to correct the violation. Refer to your courtesy Violation Information Notice for the bail amount. You can also ask the judge to make the owner of the vehicle responsible. You must make a reservation to see the judge.

If you were not the driver, do NOT pay the citation if you intend on reporting that the vehicle was driven by someone else. Complete an Affidavit of Non-Liability and mail it back to the address listed on the affidavit prior to the due date at the bottom of the ticket. This form should be mailed to you along with the ticket.

If you were the driver, you have the same options as listed above in What Options Do I Have to Take Care of My Ticket? which include paying the ticket, going to traffic school or pleading not guilty.