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Tickets & Violations
Got a ticket? Pay it, fight it, or keep it off your record — plus points, suspensions, and what to do after a crash.
Every ticket comes with a deadline and three choices: pay it (usually online — but that admits guilt and adds points), fight it in court, or in many states take traffic school to keep it off your record. Ignoring it is the one move that always loses: fines grow, licenses get suspended, and warrants happen. Points fade with time; your response deadline doesn’t.
Paying is fast. It’s also a guilty plea.Before you pay online in 30 seconds, know what it costs you: points, insurance hikes, and a record. Sometimes paying is right — sometimes traffic school or court saves you far more. Know your options first.
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Traffic TicketsFines, deadlines, and your three options.Pay a TicketOnline, by mail, or in court.Traffic SchoolDismiss tickets and remove points.Point SystemHow points add up — and fall off.Suspended LicenseWhy it happens and how reinstatement works.DUI & DWILaws, penalties, and what happens next.Accident GuideWhat to do after a crash, step by step.Ticket AttorneysWhen fighting it makes sense.
Thinking about fighting your ticket?
Off the Record connects you with a local attorney — flat fee, money-back guarantee in most cases.
Frequently asked questions
Should I just pay my ticket?
Paying is pleading guilty: the violation goes on your record, points follow, and your insurer can raise rates for 3–5 years — often costing far more than the fine. If you're eligible for traffic school, that usually keeps the violation off your record for less than the insurance hike. Fighting it makes sense when the points threaten your license or the officer's evidence is weak.
How does traffic school work?
In most states, taking an approved defensive-driving course once every 12–18 months masks the violation or removes points. You typically must hold a non-commercial license, have a violation that isn't criminal or high-speed, and get court or DMV approval BEFORE the deadline on your ticket. Courses run a few hours online; completion goes straight to the court.
How long do points stay on my record?
Point rules are state-specific: most states drop points from the active count after 1–3 years, though the violation itself can stay on the record longer (3–10 years; DUIs often permanently). Insurers usually look back 3–5 years. Accumulating too many points in a window — commonly 8–12 in 12–24 months — triggers a suspension.
What should I do right after an accident?
Stop, check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move vehicles out of traffic if it's safe. Exchange license, registration, and insurance details; photograph everything; get witness contacts. Most states require a police or DMV report when there's injury or damage over a threshold (often $1,000–$2,500) — skipping a required report can itself suspend your license.
