California Traffic Ticket Lookup
The official places to look up, pay or contest a California traffic ticket, with the deadline and what happens if it is missed, each from California's own court or state sources. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
Official sources checked on October 21, 2026.
Who handles the ticket
California traffic tickets are handled by the superior court in the county where you got the ticket; parking tickets go to the city or county agency that issued them, and DUI tickets go to criminal court.
Source: California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California
Look it up
California Courts Self-Help: Look up or pay a traffic ticket (by county)
Covers: Not a single statewide system: choose the county where you got the ticket to reach that superior court's own lookup and payment site
Find the court named on your ticket
Where this differs
Parking tickets are not handled by the courts: contact the city or county agency that gave you the ticket. DUI tickets are handled in criminal court.
Source: California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California
Deadline to respond
The court mails a reminder or courtesy notice stating the amount owed (bail), your due date and your options; it may take 30 days or longer to arrive, and if it does not, contact the court in the county where you got the ticket.
Source: California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California
Sites that charge a "convenience fee" to pay a ticket for you are not the court. Pay only through the court or state site, or a payment page you reach from it.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you choose or type is stored or sent.
Who handles traffic tickets in California
California traffic tickets are handled by the superior court in the county where you got the ticket; parking tickets go to the city or county agency that issued them, and DUI tickets go to criminal court. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
Statewide lookup: California Courts Self-Help: Look up or pay a traffic ticket (by county) (Not a single statewide system: choose the county where you got the ticket to reach that superior court's own lookup and payment site).
Parking tickets are not handled by the courts: contact the city or county agency that gave you the ticket. DUI tickets are handled in criminal court. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
Deadline to respond to a California ticket
The court mails a reminder or courtesy notice stating the amount owed (bail), your due date and your options; it may take 30 days or longer to arrive, and if it does not, contact the court in the county where you got the ticket. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
If you miss the deadline
If you ignore the ticket, the court may add a late fee of up to $100 (a civil assessment), charge you with Failure to Appear, and add the violation to your DMV record. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
What paying the ticket means
Paying the ticket without fighting it (forfeiting bail) is treated as a conviction; for tickets like speeding or running a red light, the conviction goes on your DMV record and adds a point. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
How to contest a California ticket
You can plead not guilty and choose an in-person trial (generally no bail required) or a trial by written declaration, which requires paying bail before your due date unless your court uses MyCitations; bail is refunded if you are found not guilty. (California Courts Self-Help: Trial by written declaration)
Traffic school, deferral or dismissal
If you are eligible and finish traffic school by the deadline, the point stays on your record but is hidden from insurance companies. The court tells you whether you are eligible. (California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California)
What this page does not do
- It does not search for your ticket or read any court record; the links go to the official sites that can.
- Your ticket and the court control. If anything here differs from them, follow the court.
- It does not estimate a fine or tell you whether to pay or contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a traffic ticket in California?
Use California Courts Self-Help: Look up or pay a traffic ticket (by county) (Not a single statewide system: choose the county where you got the ticket to reach that superior court's own lookup and payment site). If your case is not there, contact the court named on the ticket.
Can I pay a California traffic ticket online?
There is no statewide payment portal in the official sources we checked; the court on your ticket says how to pay, often online through its own site.
How long do I have to respond to a California traffic ticket?
The court mails a reminder or courtesy notice stating the amount owed (bail), your due date and your options; it may take 30 days or longer to arrive, and if it does not, contact the court in the county where you got the ticket.
What happens if I don’t pay a California traffic ticket?
If you ignore the ticket, the court may add a late fee of up to $100 (a civil assessment), charge you with Failure to Appear, and add the violation to your DMV record.
Does California offer traffic school or a dismissal option?
If you are eligible and finish traffic school by the deadline, the point stays on your record but is hidden from insurance companies. The court tells you whether you are eligible.
Sources
- California Courts Self-Help: Traffic tickets in California
- Judicial Branch of California: Find Your Court
- California Courts Self-Help: Trial by written declaration
Official sources checked on October 21, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Related
Know someone who could use this? Share this free tool: