What Happens if You Can't Pay a Traffic Ticket
If you can't pay your traffic ticket on time, there may be financing options available to you.
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Traffic tickets can put drivers in a financial predicament, costing anywhere from less than $100 to upwards of thousands, depending on the infraction.
If you're unable to pay for a traffic ticket on time, you could face potential consequences that range from additional fines to even jail time. However, there are likely some alternative options that can help you pay off your ticket in a way that works for you, depending on the state in which the violation occurred.
Use a Payment Plan for Traffic Tickets
In many cases, your local authority will let you set up a plan to spread out your payments into more manageable installments over time. This may require you to come up with an agreed upon monthly sum and due date that the court must approve.
Similarly, you may be able to ask for a payment extension to give yourself more time to pay the total sum at a later date that's agreed upon by the court.
Sign Up for Traffic School
Some states may allow you to attend driving safety school instead of paying your ticket, teaching you the rules of the road rather than requiring you to pay a fine. Driving classes will likely still cost you a fee, but they may end up being less than your original ticket. Traffic school can also sometimes help you avoid getting points on your license that could lead to an increase in your insurance rates.
Request a Reduction
Depending on the rules of your local court, you may be able to ask the judge to lower the overall cost of your ticket. In some courts, you may also be able to request the lowering or cancellation of any late fees you've incurred by missing hearings or due dates.
This is not always an option, however, and a lack of funds may not be seen as a valid reason for a judge to reduce your fee, so this option may require you to be ready with a backup request or plan to pay. It may ultimately be up to the judge's discretion whether you qualify for a reduction, with criteria likely varying from courtroom to courtroom.
You could also request to substitute your fines for community service to completely avoid paying any sort of fees, but approval will likely vary based on the ticket and your area.
Pursue Alternatives to Traditional Ticket Payment
Knowing your options when paying off a traffic ticket is the first step in avoiding financial trouble. In several states, such as New York and California, you may need to appear in court to access these alternatives. To make an alternative payment request, you will likely have to allow the court to either find you guilty, determine you're not guilty, or dismiss your ticket.
If the court finds you guilty, you may have the opportunity to submit a request for an alternate form of payment. Your payment options will likely vary by state, city, or even the specific court to which your ticket is assigned. It's also possible you will have to submit multiple requests if you have more than one traffic ticket, and you could have to appear in various courtrooms if they are from different jurisdictions.
Consequences of an Unpaid Traffic Ticket
There are many alternatives to paying traffic fines, but you may not be able to find an option before your ticket's payment is due. If you end up missing this date without taking action, there could be serious consequences for driving with an unpaid ticket, including late fees, credit damage, and insurance premium increases.
Driving with an unpaid ticket for too long could even lead to license suspension and the risk of a bench warrant and jail time.
