Know Your Options

What it Means to Pay Your LA Traffic Ticket

Paying an LA 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 outcome depend on the driver and the city or parish in which he received the ticket.

For example:

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

Note that if:

• You’re younger than 18, pleading guilty or no contest could result in additional penalties depending on the violation and where you are in the GDL process.
• DWI-related fines and penalties are much more severe than, say, a garden variety speeding ticket. Consult a traffic ticket lawyer before entering any kind of plea.

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

Plead Guilty as a LA CDL Driver

CDL holders who want to plead guilty or no contest will follow basically the same process as regular drivers; however, CDL drivers must remember:

• To notify their employers within 30 days of receiving their citations.
• Guilty or no contest pleas (which are the same as guilty verdicts) could affect their income and even their careers.

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

Plead Not Guilty

Although it’s the more convenient option for some drivers, you don’t have to plead guilty or no contest; you can show up on your hearing date, plead not guilty, and fight your ticket in court.

Learn more at Fighting Your Traffic Ticket.

Pay Your Louisiana Traffic Ticket Online

Some cities and parishes allow drivers to pay traffic tickets online. Check above to see if you’re eligible.

NOTE: Generally, you need a copy of your traffic ticket to complete the transaction. If you’ve misplaced your ticket, refer to Lost LA Traffic Tickets.

Keep reading for alternative ways to pay your ticket fine.

Additional Traffic Ticket Payment Options

Your traffic ticket includes information about other acceptable payment options.

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

Louisiana doesn’t print ticket fines on their citations. You must contact your court for this information. Contact the appropriate city or district court depending on where you received the ticket. (HINT: City courts handle tickets issued by city police officers; district courts handle tickets issued by parish and state police officers.)

Be sure to find out which payment methods your court accepts. Some accept only cash and money orders; others accept credit cards and personal checks. Check your ticket for this information, and if it’s not on there talk with the court clerk when you call.

Get Points Removed from Your 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 Registry (NDR), which keeps a record of certain traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations.

Check Your Driving Record

Driving records can positively or negatively affect everything from your driving privileges to employment.

So, even though the state doesn’t assign points for guilty pleas or verdicts, it’s a good idea to order your driving record from time to time to make sure the incidents reflected are correct.

Shop for Better Auto Insurance Rates

Because your guilty or no contest plea is the same as being convicted of the 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.