Traffic Payment Help
What Options Do I Have?
Please review the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you to assist in determining which options are available to you.
I wish to pay the bail, and request that my case be closed
- Forfeiture of bail is the same as a conviction and will close the case. The bail amount as indicated on the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you must be paid in full.
I wish to enter a plea of Not Guilty, waive time, and request a Trial by Declaration
- If you are charged with an infraction violation, you may plead Not Guilty, waive time and request a Trial by Declaration. You must pay the amount of bail as indicated on the front of the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you. By remitting payment and selecting this option you are entering a Plea of Not Guilty and requesting a Trial by Declaration but are waiving your right to have the case heard within 45 days of submitting this request. The declaration forms and instructions will be mailed to you. If found not guilty, or if the case is otherwise dismissed, your bail will be refunded by mail.
I wish to enter a plea of Not Guilty, waive time, and schedule a Trial by Court
- If you are charged with an infraction violation and you wish to schedule a court date to contest this matter, you may plead Not Guilty, waive time and request a Trial by Court. You must pay the amount of bail as indicated on the front of the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you. By remitting payment and selecting this option you are entering a Plea of Not Guilty and requesting a Trial by Court but are waiving your right to have the case heard within 45 days of submitting this request. You will be notified of your hearing, date, time and location by mail. If found not guilty, or if the case is otherwise dismissed, your bail will be refunded by mail.
I wish to enter a plea of Not Guilty and request a Trial by Declaration
- If you are charged with an infraction violation, you may plead Not Guilty and request a Trial by Declaration. You must pay the amount of bail as indicated on the front of the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you. By remitting payment and selecting this option you are entering a Plea of Not Guilty and requesting a Trial by Declaration within 45 days of submitting this request. The declaration forms and instructions will be mailed to you. If found not guilty, or if the case is otherwise dismissed, your bail will be refunded by mail.
I wish to enter a plea of Not Guilty and schedule a Trial by Court
- If you are charged with an infraction violation and you wish to schedule a court date to contest this matter, you may plead Not Guilty and request a Trial by Court. You must pay the amount of bail as indicated on the front of the Courtesy Notice that was mailed to you. By remitting payment and selecting this option you are entering a Plea of Not Guilty and requesting a Trial by Court within 45 days of submitting this request. You will be notified of your hearing, date, time and location by mail. If found not guilty, or if the case is otherwise dismissed, your bail will be refunded by mail.
Traffic School Eligibility
NOTE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected.
To be eligible for TVS, you must meet the following requirements:
- Your license is currently valid;
- You have not attended TVS in the last 18 months;
- for a speeding violation, your speed cannot be over 100 mph or 25 mph over the posted speed;
- and if you hold a commercial license, the violation did not occur in a commercial vehicle.
You are not eligible for a misdemeanor, a serious vehicle code violation, or if the violation requires a mandatory appearance.
To attend TVS, pay the amount due, plus the TVS fee of $52, prior to the Appearance Date. Your TVS Certificate of Completion is due within 90 days of the Appearance Date shown on the front of your courtesy notice. An additional fee will be charged by the traffic school that you attend. Upon completion of TVS and receipt of the Certificate of Completion, the case will be closed and reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles as a confidential conviction. A list of approved courses can be found on the California DMV website - HERE.
You must pay the bail amount of your citation plus the $52 TVS fee before your 'certificate of completion' will be accepted by the court. Traffic school must be completed and your 'certificate of completion' must be provided to the court within 90 days.