Pay Traffic Ticket in Montana

Know Your Options

What it Means to Pay Your MT Traffic Ticket

Paying your traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. This means:

• You have waived your right to a trial in court.
• Points will be added to your driving record. The more severe the offense, the higher the point total. Depending on your point total, the state may suspend your Montana driver's license.
• Depending on the policies of your car insurance provider, you may see an increase in your car insurance premiums.

Unless your ticket requests a mandatory court appearance, you may pay your ticket by mail, in person, or depending on the court, online. Failing to pay by the appearance date posted on your citation will result in the suspension of your MT driver's license and possibly a bench warrant for your arrest.

Pleading Guilty as a CDL Driver

You must alert you employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic ticket violation. This applies to all situations. Even if you were ticketed in South Dakota while driving your own car, you'd still have to notify your boss. Consult Montana's Commercial Driver Handbook for a complete list of rules and regulations.

Pleading Not Guilty

You also have the option to challenge your ticket. Presenting a strong defense could sway the court to reduce the charges or dismiss the ticket. You can learn more in our Fighting Your traffic Ticket section.

How to Pay Your Montana Traffic Ticket

Tickets issued by Montana's Highway Patrol, Sheriff's Office, and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department all must be settled with the Justice Court from the county in which you were fined. If you get ticketed by a local police officer, you must settle your fine with the Municipal Court of that specific city or town.

After getting cited, call the court listed on your traffic ticket to determine if you can pay the fine or if you must appear in court. If you can pay the fine, your options will include:

Pay Online

Just about all City and Justice Courts now offer an online payment option. You must provide your citation number and date of birth to access. Pay using Visa, Discover or MasterCard.

Pay by Mail

Send your ticket (copies accepted) along with a cashiers check, personal check or money order to the court address listed on your citation.

Pay in Person

Visit the court address listed on your MT traffic ticket to pay in person.

Points Removal Option?

You cannot get points removed by attending a defensive driving class. Points stay on your driving record for three years. Once the points are removed, however, the violation remains permanently on your driving record.

Check Your Driving Record

After paying your citation check your driving record for accuracy. Make sure no additional points have been added. An accumulation of violations could prompt the state to suspend your MT driver's license or cause an increase in your auto insurance rates.

Shop for Better Auto Insurance Rates

Although the state does not notify car insurance companies of violations, your driving record is open for review. Should your provider detect a traffic infraction on your driving record, you could see a spike in your auto insurance premiums. If your rates become unaffordable, take the time to shop around for a new provider by comparing insurance rates online from different car insurance companies.