Traffic FAQs

Your citation is usually entered in the court system four to eight weeks after you receive it. Once the citation is in our system, you will receive a Courtesy Notice outlining your options. Check our  Traffic Case Info Portal  to find out if your citation is in the Court's system yet. (You can't pay your fine or take care of your citation until it is in the Court's system.)

If after eight weeks you are still not able to find the information you need from the  Traffic Case Info Portal , on your copy of your citation there should be a telephone number listed. You can call during normal business hours to obtain more information about your citation.

For more information about citations, see the California Courts Self-Help Guide to Traffic Tickets .

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. See the  Traffic Courthouse locations page .

Before contacting the court, please check traffic records on the  Case Info Portal . (You can not take care of your citation until it is in the Court's computer system.)

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. See the  Traffic Courthouse locations page .

Before contacting the court, please check the  Case Info Portal  to be sure your citation is in the Court's computer system.

Where can I look up the Vehicle Code on my traffic ticket? Specifically VC40508a?

The  California Vehicle Code  is on the California Legislative website. You can look up certain codes by finding the range they fall in, and clicking on the range.

For example, the page  Vehicle Code Section 40500-40522  contains the Vehicle Code VC40508a, which is a failure to appear violation the Court adds when you have not taken care of your citation in a timely manner. The violation is reported to DMV. DMV will place a hold on your driver's license. If you incur multiple VC40508a violations, DMV will suspend your driver's license. Your options are to post bail or schedule a court appearance.

In some places, like at a red light or on a neighborhood street where the speed limit is 25 or 30 mph, a red-light camera or the police can take photos of the driver and the front license plate.

The information on the film lets the police identify the owner of the vehicle.

If you get a photo citation, the police agency will mail you a notice and instructions. If you don't want to fight the citation, sign the notice and send it back to the police agency along with a copy of your driver's license. Vehicle owners have the right to contest citations.  

Once the police agency knows that the citation is yours, it will be processed like any other citation.

For more information on the law and photo citations, see  California Vehicle Code 21455.5 .

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.

For more information, see the California Courts Self-Guide regarding Fix-it tickets .

To get your ticket (citation) signed off, ask:

• A police officer for equipment violations on your car
• DMV for license and registration violations
• A Court Clerk for insurance, license, and registration violations (You must have the correct documentation.)

Police agencies will charge you a fee to sign off the citation. The Court will charge you a dismissal fee. (Bail for moving violations or any non proof of correction eligible violations must be paid in addition to the dismissal fee.)

Your courtesy notice will indicate whether or not you can pay for the violation or if you have to show proof of correction.

If your violation requires proof of correction and you are unable to correct the violation, you can schedule a court date.  Go to the Court Dates page  to read about how to request a court date.

If the violation does not require proof of correction, you can forfeit bail (pay the fine) and close your case. Go to the Paying Fines (Bail Forfeiture) FAQs section below to read about how to pay your fine. Your courtesy notice says:

• if you can pay for the violation, or
• if you have to show proof of correction.

If you signed the ticket, you are responsible for taking care of the citation.  If you cannot correct the violation because it is not your vehicle, you can:

• forfeit bail (go to the Paying Fines (Bail Forfeiture) FAQs section below to read about how to pay your fine), or,
• ask the Court Clerk for a court date to explain your case to the Commissioner ( click to go to the Court Dates page  to read about how to request a court date).

Once your ticket is signed off you must submit the signed off citation to the Court Clerk along with your dismissal fees.

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) .

Show a valid "hard copy" of your California Driver’s License to the court, or ask DMV or a police officer to sign-off your citation. You must send the signed off citation to the Court along with a check for the dismissal fee. For more information on the law, see  CVC 12951(a) .

Show a valid "hard copy" of your California Driver’s License to the Court, or ask DMV or a police officer to sign-off your citation. You must send the signed off citation to the Court along with a check for the dismissal fee. For more information on the law, see:  CVC 12500(a) .

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.

All drivers in California must have evidence of financial responsibility (proof of insurance). You must show it to any law enforcement officer who asks for it. ( Vehicle Code Section 16028(a) and 16028(b) .)

If you had insurance when you got your ticket, but did not have proof at the time you were stopped, you must show proof to the Court or have the citation signed off by DMV.

The Court will ask you to pay a dismissal fee, then dismiss the charge.

What does the Clerk's Office accept as proof of insurance?

The clerk will accept:

• A copy of the insurance policy that was valid on the date of the violation
• A copy of an identification card issued by the insurance company, and showing the:
  
  • Name of the insurance company
  • Insurance policy number
  • Date coverage begins (must be effective on the date of the violation)
  • Date coverage ends
• A letter from the insurance company saying the defendant or the vehicle was insured on the date of the violation (including a " covering note" as required by  Insurance Code 382 )
• A copy of a surety bond valid on the date of the violation, as required by  Vehicle Code section 16056 . Be sure to indicate the deposit number issued by DMV
• A certificate of self-insurance issued by DMV ( VC 16052 )
• Documents that show the vehicle is owned or leased by, or under the direction of a public entity as defined in  Government Code GC 811.2

These documents can be in the defendant’s name or in the owner of the vehicle’s name.

What if I did not have insurance when I got the ticket but I have it now?

You must pay the fines even if you now have insurance. Only a judicial officer can adjust the fine amount.

Online: You may reserve a hearing online by clicking on this link to  CourtSchedule .

In person: You may request a court hearing in person by visiting the Traffic Clerk's Office at  South County Courthouse  or  Family Justice Center Courthouse . Due to long wait times we recommend that you use our online hearing reservation tool.

By Phone: You may call the Traffic Clerk's Office at 408-556-3000. Due to long hold times, we recommend that you use our online hearing reservation tool.

For information on asking for a traffic court trial, see the California Courts Self-Help Guide regarding Court Trials .

You must wear a shirt and shoes. The Court does not recommend wearing tank tops or shorts. There are other courtroom rules, too:

• No food, drink, or gum
• No weapons
• Turn off pagers and cell phones

If your ticket requires a mandatory appearance, you must go to court to set the court date. You must come to court if:

• the validation criteria requires it
• the Court orders it
• you have four or more prior traffic convictions
• you were cited for speeding at a dangerous speed

You must go to the  South County Courthouse  or the  Family Justice Center Courthouse  to process tickets for traffic and minor offenses.

The Court has interpreters. When you ask for a court date, tell the clerk what language you speak. Sometimes the court has special dates and times (calendars) for Spanish or Vietnamese speakers. If you ask for a court date by mail, tell the Court in your letter that you need an interpreter. (Also see the  Interpreter page  in the General Information section of this website.)

To ask for an  extension (continuance), you can do this in person, by phone or in writing (see contact info on the  Traffic Courthouse Locations page ). 

The Court will allow one extension (continuance) for arraignments or trials if the parties have waived their right to trial within time periods set by law and the matter was not set by the Court.

If your court date is for arraignment, you must ask for your continuance at least ten court days before that date.

If your court date is for court trial, you must ask for your continuance at least ten court days before that date. If the Commissioner set your court date, the clerk CANNOT postpone your case. You must write a letter to the Court to ask for a continuance.

Ask for an extension in person, by phone or in writing before the due date (see contact info on the  Traffic Courthouse Locations page ).

The Clerk can only give you  one extension ("continuance"). And you can’t ask for more than 30 days past the due date. There is no fee for an extension. The clerk may give more time to:

• pay the ticket/fine
• get proof of correction on equipment violations
• ask for a court date (you may ask for a court date to request more time to pay your fine or get proof of correction on equipment violations if your case has not already been sent to collections)

If the due date has passed, the clerk will not give you an extension.

Failure to appear for a court date may result in your bail being increased, a Civil Assessment being imposed, a hold/suspension being placed on your driver’s license, and/or a warrant being issued for your arrest. When the Court is holding bail money in trust, the money can be forfeited, and additional fees may be added for your failure to appear in court.

Please contact the Court right away for any options that may be available.

If you are found guilty at your traffic trial, you are allowed to appeal the Court's decision.

An appeal is NOT a new trial. It is when the appellate department of the court reviews the evidence (testimony and exhibits) already presented at the original trial.

You can file your appeal at one of the  Traffic Courthouse Locations . 

For more information, see the California Courts Self-Help Guide regarding appealing a traffic ticket decision , and read the  Information on Appeal Procedures for Infractions (CR-141-INFO) .

To pay your fine (also known as forfeiting bail), your citation must have been processed by the Court. If you don't have a courtesy notice yet, check the  Traffic Case Info Portal  to learn if your case has been processed.

You can choose to pay in person, by mail, online, or by phone, these options are described below.

Traffic Payment Options:

• To pay in person, go to the Clerk's Office Public Counter at the South County Courthouse  or  Family Justice Center Courthouse .    Drop boxes are available after hours - see guidelines .
  • These payment methods are available at the Clerk's Office Public Counter at the Courthouse:
    • Personal Checks
    • Money Orders
    • Cashiers' Checks
    • Cash ( in person only! )
    • Credit Card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA) - Public Counter

• To pay by mail, send your fine/bail to the courthouse listed on your courtesy notice.

  • These payment methods are available by mail:
    • Personal Checks
    • Money Orders
    • Cashiers' Checks
• To pay online, access our  Traffic Payment Portal .
  • These payment methods are available online:
    • Credit Card (American Express, Master Card or VISA only)
    • Debit Card
• To pay by phone, please call 408-878-0098. This option is available after court business hours, on weekends, and Court observed holidays during the following hours: Mon-Fri 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm PST and Sat-Sun 6:00 am – 3:00 pm PST. Hablamos Español. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.

Note:If you wish to pay by credit/debit card, there will be an additional convenience fee of 5% charged and added to the fine/fee amount by the service used by the Court. 

For more information, see the California Courts Self-Help Guide regarding Paying Fines .

You can ask for an extension in person, by phone or in writing before the due date (see contact info on the  Traffic Courthouse Locations page ).

The Clerk can only give you  one extension ("continuance"). And you can’t ask for more than 30 days past the due date. There is no fee for an extension. The clerk may give more time to:

• pay the ticket/fine
• get proof of correction on equipment violations
• ask for a court date (you may ask for a court date to request more time to pay your fine or get proof of correction on equipment violations if your case has not already been sent to collections)

If the due date has passed, the clerk will not give you an extension.

If you choose to forfeit bail (pay your fine), you may be eligible for monthly payments. If eligible, there will be a $35 administrative fee added to the total amount due. Payments must be scheduled in person, and you must pay 10% of the total amount due (including fees) to begin your payment plan.

A Judicial Officer can also allow monthly payments. In order to make this request, you must schedule a court appearance.

If you are unable to pay the full amount due, you may request the court consider your ability to pay and reduce the bail or ask the court to consider community service instead of your bail.

Request a Fine Reduction Online: MyCitations: Ability to Pay Tool
Judicial Council Form: Can't Afford to Pay Fine: Traffic and Other Infractions

If your traffic case is in collection, you need to contact the Court’s collection agency directly.   Please view Alliance One's contact information .

There are many reasons why the actual fine (bail) is higher than you were told. There are fees added by the court (that the ticketing officer is unaware of) that are required by the state government. Also, if you have prior tickets on your record, additional fees are added.

You may be told $20 at the time you get the citation, and the actual fine is $80, or you may be told $100 and end up having to pay $300.

Until you get the fine amount from the court, you won't know the actual amount. 

The California legislature decides what the minimum and maximum fine will be for every violation of state law. There are also local laws that say what the fines will be for violations of local law. The State and County of Santa Clara add an "assessment" to the established fines. The California Judicial Council publishes a Uniform Bail Schedule that says what the bail will be for all traffic code infractions.

If you want, you can pay the  bail listed on your courtesy notice instead of going to court. (Also, see the  Traffic Bail Schedule .)

If your case is a misdemeanor or felony, the Santa Clara County Superior Court will decide on the bail. The Judicial Council recommends an increase in bail for each prior conviction. There is a maximum amount allowed by law.

When you go to court, the Commissioner can fine you any amount between the minimum and maximum fines. The Commissioner will decide based on the facts of your case and your driving record.

If you do not pay your fine on time, an extra fee may be added to your fine amount and your case may be referred for collection. California law permits the Court to impose a civil assessment fine against any individual:

• who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court for any proceeding, or
• who fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the Court

The civil assessment amount is imposed in addition to, and separate from, any fine connected with a traffic citation.

For more information, see the Failure to Appear or Pay (FTP/FTA) Violations  FAQs below.

If you try to pay for your ticket on the Court's Traffic Payment Portal , you may see the following message: "This citation is not payable through this system or could not be found." There are a number of possible reasons why you cannot use the e-payment system for your ticket at this time.

One common reason is that it is too soon, and your citation is not yet in the Court's system.

After you are given a traffic citation by a law enforcement officer (police, highway patrol, etc.) you should receive a  courtesy notice from the Court by mail in about 45 - 60 days. The courtesy notice indicates the citation has arrived at the Court from the ticketing law enforcement agency, and is in the Court's system.  You can not pay the ticket, online or in person, or sign up for Traffic School, until it is in our system.

If you have already received your courtesy notice and still cannot pay online, or it has been longer than the time period listed above, you should contact the Traffic Division in person or by phone using the contact information here, or you can email Traffic Division staff at  sstrafficinfo@scscourt.org .

Another common reason that you cannot pay online is that your case may be delinquent and therefore is not eligible for on-line payment. You should immediately contact the Traffic Division in person or by phone using the contact information here, or by emailing Traffic Division staff at  sstrafficinfo@scscourt.org .

When contacting the Court about your citation, be sure to provide as much information as possible: your citation number (if you have it), case number (if you have it), your full name, address, and birth date.

The citation says where you have to mail your payment.  If you have questions, call the agency that gave you the ticket.

Most parking citations are paid to the Office of Parking Violations.

For parking tickets issued by the  City of San José - Office of Parking Violations , visit their website for more information on how to pay or contest a parking ticket.

Pursuant to  Penal Code 1214.1  an additional $100 Civil Assessment fee may be added to your case when you fail to appear and/or when you fail to pay your court ordered fine. Up to $200 in Civil Assessment fees may be added to your case and your case may be referred for collection.

Under certain conditions and time restraints, such as hospitalization, military service or incarceration (being in jail), you may ask the Court to vacate that additional fee by filing a Petition to Vacate the Civil Assessment. Written documentation must be submitted with the Petition.

You will be notified of the Court’s decision by mail. It is important that you supply the Court with your correct address and telephone number to ensure you receive the Court’s ruling on your request to Vacate the Civil Assessment.  Click here for Civil Assessment Petition and Order form .

If you sign a citation or an agreement to appear at a court hearing and violate your written promise to appear at court, you have failed to appear. Your failure to appear may be deemed your consent to a Trial by Written Declaration (In Absentia) pursuant to  VC 40903 .

A failure to appear may also result in your bail being increased, and a $100 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to  PC 1214.1 .

If you don’t pay your fine before the court’s deadline, you have failed to pay. A failure to pay may also result in your bail being increased, a $100 Civil Assessment being imposed pursuant to  PC 1214.1 , and your case being referred to collections.

The bail refund will be mailed to the depositor (the person who deposited the money with the Court).

The bail refund will be mailed within 30 business days after the disposition of the case, or 30 business days after the order of exoneration.

The bail refund will be mailed to the depositor (the person who deposited money with the Court). The depositor is the person who signed the personal check, money order, or cashier’s check.

When you go to court, tell the Deputy, Commissioner or Clerk that your address has changed. Or, you can send a letter to the court telling them about your change of address.

You can attend any California DMV approved school. Check the DMV website for listings: go to the  DMV Traffic School Search website  . Proceed from there according to the instructions on the site.

For more information, visit the California Court's Self-Guide to Traffic School .

Provided that you attended a California DMV approved Traffic School, there is nothing further for you to do. The California DMV approved Traffic School will notify the Court of your completion. (Note: if you did not attend a California DMV approved Traffic School, the Court  will not  accept your proof of completion.)

You can look up your case on the Court's  Traffic Case Info Portal . The information displayed for your case will indicate whether a warrant was issued and the date it was issued. You will see something like: "Case is delinquent. Warrant issued on [date]. Payment state: Due."

In person, contact the Court that ordered the warrant. In most cases, the clerk will give you a date to go to Court to clear the warrant.

You must appear in Court on the scheduled date. If you do not, there will be a new warrant and you may have to pay additional penalties.

Sometimes you can clear the warrant by  forfeiting bail  (paying the Court what you owe) without going to Court. For some warrants, you must go to Court.

If you receive notice of an arrest warrant in a criminal matter, you can learn more by visiting the  Criminal FAQs  page.

A corporate summons is a written Court order that tells a law enforcement officer to bring an officer of a company or corporation to Court.

To clear a corporate summons, contact the Court for:

• bail information
• proof of correction, or
• a court date

If you are unable to find the answer to your Traffic Court-related question after reviewing the pages in our  Traffic Division pages , and the Frequently Asked Questions above, you can contact our Traffic Department by email at  sstrafficinfo@scscourt.org . If your question is not covered on the Court's websites, we will do our best to respond to your question within 48 hours.

We cannot give legal advice, only legal information. Please refer to our  Free & Low-Cost Legal Help page , as well as the  Judicial Council Self-Help website .