Pay Traffic Ticket in Michigan

SUMMARY: How to Pay a Michigan Traffic Ticket

Depending on your district court, you may be able to pay your MI civil traffic ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, or in person. Refer to your MI traffic ticket or contact the relevant traffic court to find out how to proceed.

NOTE: Be sure to submit full payment prior to the due date on your ticket to avoid a suspended driver's license.

Continue reading this page to learn how to make a traffic ticket payment in Michigan.

Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)

  • Pay the fine.
  • Pay the fine with an explanation.
  • Incur points on driving record that could lead to license suspension.
  • Possibly incur increase on auto insurance rates.
  • Possible option to take driver improvement course to reduce points.

Read full details below.

Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)

  • Contest traffic ticket via trial.
  • Choose to represent yourself or hire a traffic ticket attorney.
  • No penalties if found guilty, but must pay court/attorney fees.
  • Court finds you guilty, must pay fines, court/attorney fees and incur penalties.

Learn more about
Fighting Your Traffic Ticket »

Pleading Guilty to Your MI Ticket

Paying your Michigan traffic ticket outright is an admission of guilt.

This means:

  • You can pay the traffic ticket but request an explanation.
    • If granted, you appear before a magistrate and explain why you committed the violation. The magistrate may then reduce charges, dismiss the traffic ticket or rebuff your explanation by finding you guilty.
  • The MI Secretary of State (SOS) will add points to your MI driving record.
    • Points on your driving record could cause your MI driver's license to be suspended or revoked.
  • The traffic violation will appear on your driving record.
    • This could cause a spike in your auto insurance rates or, depending on your line of work, jeopardize your job.

CDL Drivers & MI Traffic Tickets

By law, CDL drivers must notify your employer of a moving violation conviction, even if you were driving your own vehicle at the time of the citation.

Sometimes, CDL operators face stiffer penalties for traffic ticket convictions. For example, you might be penalized with suspensions or revocations for certain periods of time or even forever, depending on the offense. Obviously, these penalties can affect your income and employment opportunities.

For more information on MI traffic violations and penalties, consult the Michigan Commercial Driver License Manual.

Pay Your MI Traffic Ticket

Depending on your court, you might be able to pay your traffic ticket online; otherwise, different payment methods are available.

Pay Traffic Tickets Online

Eligible drivers can use the state's ePay system to pay their traffic tickets online. Currently, you can search your ticket using a variety of personal information; however, if you need to use the traffic ticket number and have misplaced your ticket, refer to our guide to Lost Traffic Tickets in Michigan for information on how to find the required details.

Presently, only certain courts allow drivers to pay traffic tickets online. Your ticket should state whether you're eligible to pay online; if you're not sure, contact the court listed on the ticket or find the contact information on the state's website.

Other Payment Methods

If you aren't eligible to pay your traffic ticket fine online, or aren't able to for some other reason, your ticket should list other payment options. For example, depending on your court you might be able to pay your fine by mail, by phone, or in person.

You'll need your traffic citation information to find out which payment methods to use, as well as to make the payment itself. If you've misplaced your ticket, refer to Lost Traffic Tickets in Michigan for information on how to find the required details.

Traffic School & Ticket Dismissal

Depending on factors like your court, offense, and driving history, your judge might give you the option to complete a state-approved Basic Driver Improvement Course for ticket dismissal. Your judge will tell you whether you're eligible for this option.

Check Your Driving Record

Whether you plead “guilty" and pay the fine or complete traffic school to have the ticket dismissed, it's important to check your driving record to make sure:

  • Your record reflects only the number of points it should as related to your traffic violations.
  • Your traffic violation doesn't show up on your record if you completed a driving course to have it dismissed.

Information on your driving record can affect your car insurance rates (see below) and even employment opportunities, so it's crucial your record's information is correct.

Car Insurance Rates

Most car insurance companies increase premiums after a traffic violation conviction.

Before deciding to plead “guilty," or if you lose your case in court (see below), talk with your provider about the possible rate increase and consider comparing car insurance quotes online to find a more affordable premium.

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