Traffic Tickets: A to Z

  How Do I Take Care of My Traffic Ticket?
  Traffic School
  Traffic Court Location & Hours
  Extensions
  Court Dates
  Hearing Types
  Warrants & Corporate Summons

  Citations/Violations

  Parking Citations
  Photo Citations
  Owners Responsibility Citations
  Insurance Violations
  Proof of Correction (Fix-It Tickets)
  Appeals

  Trials
  Paying Violations

  Paying Fines (Bail Forfeiture)
  Bail Refunds
  Fees
  Failure to Appear or Pay Violations

  Frequently Asked Questions
  Resources & Referrals
  Rules/Forms
  Self-Service Home
  Main Court Site

Self Service Home  |  Glossary  |  Search  |  Site Map  |  Feedback  |  Contact
Traffic Court

Click on a topic to learn about:

1. What is a Courtesy Notice?
2. When do I have to respond to the Courtesy Notice?
3. What are my options?
How do I correct a Registration violation?
4. How do I correct a "No License In Possession" violation?
5. How do I correct an "Unlicensed Driver" violation?
6. How do I get an “Equipment” violation dismissed?
7. Can I go to traffic school?
8. How do I set a court date?
    

1. What is a Courtesy Notice?
   
   You will get a courtesy notice 45 - 60 days after you get your citation (ticket).
   
   This notice tells you about your options.
   
   If you do not get a courtesy notice by the date written at the bottom of your ticket, you must contact the court by phone, in person, or by mail. Before contacting the court, check the citation status online. (You can not take care of your citation until it is in the Court's computer system.)
   
    
2. When do I have to respond to the Courtesy Notice?
   
   Your courtesy notice will have a due date. You must exercise your options by that date.
   
   If you do not get a courtesy notice by the date at the bottom of your ticket, you must contact the court by phone or in person. Before contacting the court, check the citation status online.
   
    
3. What are my options?
   
   When you get a ticket, you have several options:
   
   Bail forfeiture:
   You can forfeit (pay) bail. To do this, send your payment and a copy of the citation or the courtesy notice to the courthouse. (Click here to see the addresses of Traffic Court locations).
   
   Make your check or money order payable to the: Clerk of Superior Court.
   
   When the Court receives your bail, your case will be closed. It will show up as a conviction on your DMV record.
   
   Proof of Correction:
   Your courtesy notice says whether you can pay for the violation or if you have to show "proof of correction." This is also explained on your citation.
   
   If you show proof of correction and pay a dismissal fee, the court will dismiss the relevant charge.

   top of page ↑

4. How do I correct a Registration Violation?
   
   To correct a registration violation, you can do any of the following:
    
   • Show a valid Registration card for the cited vehicle. The card must be valid now, or must have been valid on the date of the violation.
   • Ask DMV or a police officer to sign-off your citation.
   • Show an "official" receipt from an identified junk dealer that proves the vehicle was reduced to scrap (not just sold)

   Note: The Court cannot accept:
    

   • a DMV "Suspense Receipt", or
   • a DMV "Certificate of Non-operation"

   For more information on the law, see VC4000(a).
   
    

5. How do I correct a "No License In Possession" Violation?
   
   Show a "hard copy" of your California Driver’s License to the court , or ask DMV or a police officer to sign-off your citation. The license must have been valid on the date of your citation. You must send the signed off citation to the Court along with a check for the dismissal fee. (See "Dismissal Fees" on the court's fee page.)
   
   For more information on the law, see CVC 12951(a).
   
    
6. How do I correct an "Unlicensed Driver" Violation?
   
   Show a "hard copy" of your California Driver’s License to the Court, or ask DMV or a police officer to sign-off your citation. The license must have been valid on the date of your citation. You must send the signed off citation to the Court along with a check for the dismissal fee. (See "Dismissal Fees" on the court's fee page.)
   
   For more information on the law, see: CVC 12500(a).

   top of page ↑

7. How do I get an "Equipment" Violation dismissed?
   
   You can:
   • Get a police officer to sign-off your citation
   • Get an "official" receipt from an identified junk dealer.
   • For "Smog Devices", get a certified Smog Station to give you a certificate or sign-off. You must show the Smog Station’s certification number.

   Note: For insurance violations, see the "Insurance Violations" section.
   
    

8. Can I go to traffic school?
   
   Your courtesy notice will say if you can go to traffic school. See the "Traffic School"  section of this website.
   
    
9. How do I set a court date?
   
   Ask the clerk for a court date for an Arraignment Hearing. The Commissioner can explain your options. Or you can schedule (set) a Court Trial to contest the citation. See the Traffic Hearings section of this website.