Can I go to traffic school to pay off my traffic tickets?

Generally, you can go to traffic school if:

    You have a valid, regular (not commercial) driver license,
    Your ticket is for a moving violation that is an infraction (not a misdemeanor), and
    You were driving a regular (non-commercial) vehicle when you got the ticket.

Some reasons why you may NOT be eligible for traffic school:

    You have a parking ticket or misdemeanor ticket;
    Your ticket was for a serious moving violation—including speeding more than 25mph over the speed limit;
    Your ticket was for a DUI or other drug/alcohol-related violation;
    You’ve gone to traffic school for another ticket within the past 18 months; or
    You were driving a commercial vehicle when you got the ticket.[2305]

For OLD infraction tickets, you will need to find out which court or agency is in charge of collecting your fines (see PG. 669) and how much you owe (see PG. 674). Then contact that agency to find out how to pay off your fines.

For misdemeanor tickets: You will need to go to court in the county where you got the ticket, on the day and time listed on your ticket. The court will tell you how much you owe, and you will make payments to the court.

For OLD misdemeanor tickets, you will need to find out which court or agency is in charge of collecting your fines (see PG. 669) and how much you owe (see PG. 674). Then contact that agency to find out how to pay off your fines.

IMPORTANT: Remember, you must pay your fines BEFORE the deadline listed on the ticket or given by the court. If you don’t pay your fines on time, you can be charged double in penalties and your case may be referred to a collection agency. The DMV may also put a hold on your registration or driver license, until you pay your fines.[2306]

!

  1. 2305

    Cal. Veh. Code § 42005; Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 4.104 (2015).

  2. 2306

    Cal. Veh. Code § 40310 (50% penalty for all traffic fines overdue by 20 days or more).