Paying Your Traffic Ticket

Paying a Fine

California has several options for paying your traffic ticket fines to the courts. You may:

• Pay by mail

• Pay online

• Pay at the courthouse

Note that traffic citations are not handled by the California DMV, but by the court in the area where you were cited. The DMV is, however, responsible for updating your driving records to include any points incurred as a result of traffic conviction.

Pay by Mail

If you choose to pay your fine without entering a plea with the court, understand that you are essentially pleading guilty to the traffic charge. Keep in mind that many traffic citations add points to your driving record.

To find out your fine amount, usually you have to contact the court by phone or through its Web site. Both points of contact should be printed on the ticket.

Send a check or money order to the address indicated on your ticket. Make sure your check has your full name, the citation number, and your driver's license number on it.

Pay Online

The courts in some California counties let you pay your fine online. You just enter your citation number, select the courthouse listed on your ticket, and pay with your credit card.

Pay in Person

To pay your fine in person or to contest the charges, appear at the traffic court on or before the court date indicated on the citation. If your county offers it, you can attend a night court session. You might not even have to face a judge―often a cashier will simply receive your guilty plea and your payment.

If you choose to contest the charges and go to trial; or if you are offered the option of attending traffic school; you will still be required to pay a fine, either at that time or at a later date.

Note that traffic citations are not handled by the California DMV, but by the court in the area where you were cited. The DMV is, however, responsible for updating your driving records to include any points incurred as a result of traffic conviction.