Traffic Ticket FAQ in Idaho

What do I do if get a traffic ticket in ID?

Determine whether you want to plead guilty or not guilty.

Pleading guilty means you’re admitting you committed the offense, and typically involves paying the traffic ticket fine, incurring driving record points, and experiencing an increase in your auto insurance rates. Depending on the nature of the offense (for example, if it’s a criminal charge), you could face steep fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

Refer to our Paying Your Traffic Ticket and Fighting Your Traffic Ticket sections for more information.

How can I get a traffic ticket dismissed?

Basically, the only way to get an ID traffic ticket dismissed is to fight the ticket in court and win your case. To increase their chances of winning, some drivers hire traffic ticket lawyers.

Sometimes, drivers can get their tickets dismissed if they present proof that they’ve corrected the offense. For example, if you’re pulled over for having an expired registration―but your up-to-date registration information is at home―your officer might agree to dismiss the ticket if you present this information by a certain date.

What if I have a Idaho CDL and get a traffic ticket?

You’ll need to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving the citation. Be sure to notify the DMV, too, if you received the ticket in another state or jurisdiction.

Aside from that, you’ll plead guilty or not guilty in much the same way any other driver would. The biggest differences lie in your penalties. For example, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers can lose their CDLs for life if they commit certain offenses more than once. For a CDL holder, that’s not just losing driving privileges; that’s losing a livelihood.

Refer to Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties for more information.

What if I’m younger than 21 and get an alcohol-related ticket?

First decide whether you want to plead guilty or not guilty; then, understand that if you plead guilty or are found guilty, you face the following penalties:

• First Conviction: Fine up to $1,000 and license suspension for up to one year.
• Second Conviction (within 10 years): Fine of up to $2,000, up to 30 days in jail, and license suspension for up to two years.
• Third or Subsequent Conviction (within 10 years): Fine of up to $2,000, between 10 days and six months in jail, and mandatory one-year license suspension. Must use an interlock ignition device upon license reinstatement. This conviction is a felony.

Check Chapter Eight of the Idaho Driver’s Manual for more details.

What are the penalties for getting a traffic ticket while driving under the GDL program?

If it’s a first conviction, you’ll get a warning letter.

A second conviction carries a 30-day license suspension, and a third conviction carries a 60-day license suspension.

Note that if you have a Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP), it will be canceled and you’ll have to purchase a new one once your penalty time is up.

Will taking a motorcycle safety course help me with a traffic ticket I got while riding?

No. Idaho doesn’t offer any kind of driving course for ticket dismissal, or to prevent point accumulation related to a current ticket.

Can I take a defensive driving course to reduce the number of driver’s license points on my driving record?

Yes. You can enroll in any of Idaho’s state-approved defensive driving courses to have three points removed from your driving record.

Note that:

• The course won’t dismiss the ticket, or prevent point accumulation related to the ticket.
• You can only take the course once every three years.
• You can’t “save up” point reductions. In other words, you must have points on your record; taking a course with a clean record won’t erase any points you might receive in the future.

Visit our Point Reduction section for more information.

Why is it a good idea to order a driving record?

Ordering a copy of your driving record lets you check with your own eyes that:

• You only accumulated the applicable number of points if you pleaded guilty or were found guilty of a traffic violation).
• You received no points if you were found not guilty.
• The DMV removed up to three points from your record after you completed an approved defensive driving course.
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Keeping up with this information is important because if you accumulate too many points, the DMV will suspend your driver’s license.

Head over to our ID Driving Records section to learn more.

What is the cost of my traffic ticket?

That depends.

Traffic ticket fines for civil infractions (i.e. simple violations like speeding) are the same throughout the state, as are their associated court costs. Fines and court costs associated with misdemeanor charges can vary.

Keep in mind other related costs. For example, you’ll have to pay attorney fees if you hire an attorney, and if you’re convicted of a serious offense such as DUI, you’ll face severe fines―a first conviction alone costs up to $1,000.

Check Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties section for more information related to your offense.

How many points will I get if convicted?

The number of points you incur depends on the violation, but they range from one to four.

Note that if you’re convicted of multiple violations at once, you’ll likely accumulate each violation’s applicable points (unless the judge offers you a plea bargain). This means that if you’re convicted of ignoring a stop sign (which is three points) and failing to yield at a yield-signed intersection (which is another three points), you could get the entire six points.

Learn more about the ID Point System.

Are traffic ticket fines the same throughout the state?

Yes and no.

Fines and court costs for civil traffic infractions are the same throughout the state, but fines and court costs associated with misdemeanor charges can vary.

Refer to our Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties section for details.

How can I find a lost traffic ticket online?

You can’t. The DMV can’t look it up for you, either. You must contact the court that’s in charge of handling the ticket.

When is it a good idea to hire a traffic ticket attorney?

Consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney whenever:

• You’ve decided to fight a ticket in court but aren’t comfortable representing yourself.
• You face serious criminal charges, such as DUI or any violation involving a felony.
• You want help negotiating a plea bargain.

Attorneys also can help you reschedule or postpone hearings, as well as file appeals for guilty verdicts.

How many driving record points can I accumulate before the state suspends my driver’s license?

The state will suspend your Idaho driver's license for 30 days if you accumulate 12 to 17 points during any 12-month period; but, there’s more to it than that.

Here’s a breakdown:

• 8-11 points in any 12 months: Warning letter.
• 12-17 points in any 12 months: 30-day suspension.
• 18-23 points in any 24 months: 60-day suspension.
• 24 or more points in any 36 months: Six-month suspension.

Learn more about point accumulation at our ID Point System section.