Pay Traffic Ticket in Louisiana

SUMMARY: How to Pay a Louisiana Traffic Ticket

Your traffic ticket payment options will depend on where you committed your violation. You may be able to pay your traffic ticket online, by mail, or in person.

Both your LA traffic ticket and the appropriate traffic court can provide you with detailed instructions, and we outline these and other considerations below.

Responding to Your Traffic Ticket

Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)

Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)

  • Contest the ticket during your hearing.
  • Prepare your case, possibly with a traffic ticket attorney.
  • Possibly attend a driver improvement course for ticket dismissal.
  • Have no penalties if found not guilty (except any applicable court/attorney fees).
  • Appeal the guilty verdict (if applicable).

Learn more about
Fighting Your Traffic Ticket »

Paying a Louisiana traffic ticket fine means different things to different drivers. For some, it means they're admitting guilt (pleading "guilty"); for others, it means they don't want to contest the charge (no contest).

Additional consequences and outcomes depend on the driver and the city or parish in which you received the traffic ticket.

For example:

  • You might avoid court altogether and pay your traffic ticket online or by mail (see below).
  • Certain traffic offenses are recorded on your Problem Driver Pointer System record.
  • You could lose your LA driver's license to suspension or revocation, depending on the type of moving violation.
  • Some cities and parishes allow drivers to enroll in driver improvement courses for ticket dismissal.

    You must pay your fine by the court date printed on your traffic ticket. Failure to pay your ticket on time could result in a fugitive warrant and a flag placed on your LA driver's license.

    Plead Guilty as a CDL Driver

    Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders must remember:

    • You must notify your employer after a conviction for a traffic citation.
    • "Guilty" or "no contest" pleas (which are the same as guilty verdicts) could affect your income and even your career.

    Learn more about federally-mandated CDL traffic ticket penalties at Ticket Fines and Penalties.

    How to Pay Your LA Traffic Ticket

    Some cities and parishes allow drivers to pay traffic tickets online, while others require payments in person or by mail.

    Pay Your Ticket Online

    You can find out if your city or parish allows drivers to pay traffic ticket fines (or, if you're eligible) by:

    • Checking your traffic ticket.
      • Generally, traffic tickets include information about your eligibility to pay your fine online.
      • Refer to Lost LA Traffic Tickets if you've misplaced your ticket. We'll help you retrieve the necessary information (which is also required to complete the online payment system).
    • Contacting the appropriate city or district court and ask if you're eligible to pay online.

    Other Payment Options

    Your traffic ticket should include information about other acceptable payment options.

    Regardless of where in the state they received their traffic tickets, most Louisiana drivers can pay their traffic tickets in person or by mail to the city or parish court handling their traffic citations. Your ticket includes telephone and mailing address information.

    Because Louisiana doesn't print ticket fines on their citations, you must contact your court for this information.

    Generally:

    • City courts handle tickets issued by city police officers.
    • District courts handle tickets issued by parish and state police officers.

    Usually, LA traffic tickets include information about acceptable payment methods; if your ticket doesn't include this information, ask the court clerk when you call.

    Traffic School & Ticket Dismissal

    Depending on where you received the ticket, your judge, and the nature of the citation, you might be eligible to complete a state-approved driving school to have your traffic ticket dismissed.

    Learn more at Defensive Driving in Louisiana and ask your judge about this option.

    Check Your Louisiana Driving Record

    Louisiana doesn't adhere to a points system. Instead, the state is participates in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), which is part of the National Driver Register (NDR), which keeps a record of certain traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations.

    However, even though the state doesn't assign points for “guilty" pleas or verdicts, it's a good idea to check your driving record – especially after receiving a traffic citation.

    When you order a copy of your driving record, you can make sure it accurately reflects your violations (or shows no violation if you completed a driving school to have it dismissed). Inaccurate driving records can negatively affect everything from your driving privileges to employment.

    Car Insurance Rates

    Since your "guilty" or "no contest" plea is the same as being convicted of the traffic violation, your auto insurance provider might increase your rates the next time you renew your policy.

    Call your agent to find out if a "guilty" or "no contest" plea will negatively affect your rates. If you find out you'll have to pay more the next time you renew, start comparing insurance quotes online to get a better deal.

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