Pay Traffic Ticket in Wisconsin
Pleading Guilty to Your WI Ticket
In Wisconsin, paying a traffic ticket is admitting guilt.
This means:
- You waive your right to a court trial.
- Unless the ticket states you must appear in court, you might be able to conveniently pay your ticket online, by mail, or by phone without visiting the court.
- Payment options depend on the presiding court.
- The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will add points to your driving record.
- The number of points depends on your violation.
- Once you reach a certain number of points, you face license suspension.
- You might be eligible to reduce points by completing a state-approved traffic safety course.
- Some violations lead straight to license suspension, regardless of the number of points.
- Most likely, your car insurance rates will increase.
If you want to plead “guilty" and pay your traffic fine outright, be sure to do so by the deadline printed on your citation; failure to pay on time can lead to additional fines, license suspension, a bench warrant for your arrest, and more.
Commercial Drivers & WI Tickets
As a CDL holder, if you plead “guilty" or are found “guilty" in court you could face harsher penalties than other drivers; for example, some violations lead directly to CDL suspension or revocation, which you seriously impact your income and employment opportunities.
Also, no matter what type of vehicle you were driving at the time you received the citation:
- You must notify your employer within 30 days of the violation conviction.
- You must notify your driver license agency within 30 days of the violation conviction.
Check the WI Commercial Driver's Manual for details.
How to Pay Your WI Traffic Ticket
As long as "Mandatory Appearance" is NOT indicated on your traffic citation, you may pay the WI traffic ticket fine prior to the due date without appearing in court. Read your traffic ticket to find out how to submit payment.
Depending on the court, you might have some or all of the following ticket payment options:
- Online.
- In person.
- By mail.
- By phone.
Check your citation for instructions about your payment options, and contact either the municipal or circuit court handling your case with questions.
NOTE: Most likely, you'll need specific information from your WI traffic ticket to pay your fine; if you've misplaced your citation, go to our page on Lost Traffic Tickets in Wisconsin for instructions on how to retrieve the details.
Traffic School Options in WI
Depending on your situation, you might complete a state-approved traffic safety course because:
- Your judge ordered it to satisfy your traffic ticket.
- Your judge offered it as an option for ticket dismissal.
- You need to reduce points on your driving record.
Talk with your judge and refer to our guide to Wisconsin traffic school for more details.
Car Insurance Rates
Most likely, your auto insurance company will increase your rates after a “guilty" traffic violation conviction; be prepared to combat higher rates by comparing insurance quotes for a more affordable plan.
Check Your Driving Record
After you plead “guilty" or receive your verdict from the court, check your driving record to make sure:
- It shows ONLY the appropriate traffic violations.
- You should see traffic violations with “guilty" verdicts, whether you pleaded or were found so.
- You shouldn't see violations that were dismissed if the judge gave you ticket dismissal for completing a traffic safety course.
- Your driving privileges are intact.
- You face license suspension after reaching a certain number of points on your driving record.
- Some violations mean license suspension, no matter how many points you currently have.
Learn how to check your driving record and how to apply for corrections.