CA Traffic Tickets, Points, & Fines

You never want to think about getting a ticket or adding points to your driving record, or definitely not paying hefty state traffic violation fines, but the truth is that there are many drivers out there that will obtain a ticket from time to time and have to follow the various steps to ensure the ticket doesn't severely impact their right to drive in California. 4Dmv.com has a vast database of information, including resources and publications, as well as forms and links that will give you great guidance when attempting to rectify any California tickets, points, & fines.

California Traffic Stops

  • If you are alerted to pullover by a California peace officer, you must take heed immediately, locating a safe, well-lit location on the side or shoulder of the roadway you are in. The officer performing the stop will then approach your front passenger door, at which time you must provide your license, registration, and valid proof of California insurance.
  • If it is deemed appropriate to write you a traffic ticket, you will be explained which violation or violations you are being cited for, then asking for your signature to verify your receipt of the ticket—which is not admission of your guilt in any way. Once you are given a copy of the citation, you must check the front section to determine your appearance date, at which time you will pay your fees.
Paying Your Ticket Fines

When it comes to settling your California traffic ticket, you can go about it 2 ways. You can choose to pay the ticket, or you can contest the ticket in court. If you decide to go to court, there can be higher costs if you are found guilty, which is why most people just pay the fine.

  • Pay online at Driving and Transport
  • Pay by mail to address on ticket
  • Pay in person at issuing traffic court
If you received a misdemeanor or more severe charge, you will be required to appear in court.

California Traffic School

  • There are some California traffic tickets that are eligible for removal with completion of traffic school, which is a consideration to lessen the points that appear on your California driving record. There are schools throughout California that can be located by contacting the traffic court within the county your ticket was issued, or by searching the web for online courses that can provide much more convenient services.
  • There are fees associated with traffic school which you must pay before attending the necessary course. Once you successfully complete the course, you will be provided with a certificate that must be submitted to the California traffic court that you must resolve your ticket through. This will absolve the ticket altogether, removing points and the instance from your records.
  • Two-point infractions in California cannot be resolved with traffic school, and must be handled through the traffic court as specified.
Contesting a Ticket

  • You never have to just accept that you have received a ticket as you have the option of seeking legal assistance and contesting the ticket, or even contesting on your own. You will find that there are some cases in which you may just not be guilty of the crime you are being charged for, which can decrease your costs and increase your driver record, resolving the issue at once.
  • Contesting your ticket should be done within the court of the county you received your ticket in, meaning that you must report within that county on the date specified to have your story heard. There are options, however, for trial by mail, which must be requested no less than a week before you are scheduled to report in court. You simply complete the forms by mail and resolve your ticket without leaving home.
  • If you decide to report to the court house, you will first go through the preliminary hearing, in which you enter your plea and the peace officer's evidence is heard. If a trial is requested, you will then be given a court date for appearance, at which time your case will be heard. There are traffic law attorneys out there that can help if you have a more serious situation that you aren't quite sure of when it comes to representation.
  • The day of your preliminary you will be required to pay a bail fee as well, which can be sent via mail or taken in person on the date of your court hearing.
Effects on Your License

  • Violations and traffic offenses that garner citations are connected to a point system that will greatly impact your license. Your driving record will display these points as well as you attempt to obtain employment or insurance, which can be difficult if you have a lot of points. There are some violations that are deemed extreme, causing the loss of your license through suspension or revocation. To determine the points present or tickets that haven't yet been resolved, you can obtain a driving report through your California DMV or a 3rd party company that will provide you with a comprehensive report of your choice.