Where and how to pay your Los Angeles traffic ticket
Los Angeles traffic tickets can be paid online through the Los Angeles Superior Court website, by mail, in person at a courthouse, or by phone. The method you use depends on what information is on your ticket and whether you want to contest it or straightforward pay the fine.
The easiest route for most people is the online payment system at lacourt.org. You will need your ticket number and either your driver's license number or the vehicle's license plate number. The court accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Payment typically processes when ready, and you receive a confirmation number by email.
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the courthouse listed on your ticket, call the traffic division at the appropriate courthouse, or visit in person during business hours. In-person payment at a courthouse window usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the location is.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through lacourt.org is the fastest method and requires only your ticket number and driver's license or license plate number.
- You must pay to the specific courthouse listed on your ticket, not a central Los Angeles traffic office, because each courthouse handles its own cases.
- Payment does not automatically dismiss the ticket or prevent points from being added to your driving record — it only settles the fine.
- If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a court date before paying; paying the fine is treated as an admission of guilt.
- Late payment fees and additional penalties explore if you miss the important date printed on your ticket, which is typically 30 days from the ticket date.
Understanding the important date and late payment consequences
Your ticket shows a specific date by which payment must be received. This is usually 30 days from the date the ticket was issued, though some tickets allow longer. If payment does not arrive by that date, the court adds a failure-to-appear charge and may suspend your driver's license through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Late fees vary but typically range from $100 to $300 on top of the original fine. If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive in California, and the suspension remains on your record even after you eventually pay. Reinstating a suspended license requires paying all outstanding fines plus a reinstatement fee to the DMV.
If you miss the important date by accident, contact the courthouse when ready. Some courts will accept late payment if you can show good cause, though this is not may provide. The sooner you contact them, the better your chances of avoiding additional penalties.
Paying online through the Los Angeles Superior Court system
Go to lacourt.org and look for the "Pay a Citation" or "Traffic" link on the homepage. You will be directed to enter your ticket number and either your driver's license number or vehicle license plate number. The system will pull up your case and show the amount owed.
The court accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and electronic checks. There is a processing fee of approximately 2.5 percent for credit and debit card payments, though electronic check payments have no additional fee. You will see the fee amount before you confirm payment.
After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Keep this confirmation for your records. The payment typically appears in the court system within 24 hours, though it may take longer if you pay late in the day or on a weekend.
Paying by mail or phone
To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the amount shown on your ticket. Include your ticket number and driver's license number on the check itself. Mail it to the courthouse address listed on your ticket, not to a general Los Angeles address. Include a copy of your ticket if possible.
Payment by mail takes 7 to 14 days to reach the courthouse and another 3 to 5 business days to be recorded in the system. If your important date is approaching, mail is not reliable enough. Send payment at least two weeks before the due date, or use a faster method.
To pay by phone, call the traffic division of the courthouse listed on your ticket. The court will ask for your ticket number, driver's license number, and payment method. Phone payments are processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number. Not all courthouses accept phone payments, so check your ticket or call ahead to confirm.
Paying in person at a Los Angeles courthouse
Each courthouse has a traffic division window where you can pay in person. Bring your ticket, a valid ID, and payment in the form of cash, check, money order, or card. The courthouse will process your payment on the spot and give you a receipt.
Courthouse hours vary by location, but most traffic divisions are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some locations closing for lunch. Arrive early if possible, as wait times can be long during midday hours. Parking at the courthouse is usually available but may require payment.
The main Los Angeles Superior Court traffic division is located downtown, but you can also pay at any courthouse in the county that handled your ticket. Check your ticket to see which courthouse issued it, or call ahead to confirm the location and hours before you go.
What happens after you pay and what does not change
Paying your fine settles the ticket with the court, but it does not remove the violation from your driving record or prevent points from being added by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A standard traffic violation adds one point to your record, which stays for three years. Insurance companies can see these points and may raise your rates.
If you want to reduce or eliminate the points on your record, you may be able to take a traffic school course. Some tickets are may be able to access for traffic school, which removes the point but does not remove the violation from your record. You must request traffic school before paying the fine, and there is an additional fee for the course.
Paying the fine also does not give you the right to a refund if you later decide you want to contest the ticket. Once payment is received, the case is closed. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you must contest it before paying.
Contesting a ticket instead of paying
If you want to fight the ticket, you must request a court date before the important date on your ticket. Do not pay the fine. Instead, contact the courthouse and ask for an arraignment or trial date. You will have the opportunity to present your side of the case to a judge or traffic commissioner.
Some tickets allow you to request a trial by written declaration, which means you submit a written statement and evidence to the court without appearing in person. The officer also submits a written statement, and the judge decides based on the written record. This option is available for most traffic violations in Los Angeles.
If you lose at trial or your written declaration is rejected, you will be ordered to pay the fine. You will then have a new important date to pay. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Los Angeles traffic ticket online with a debit card?
Yes. The Los Angeles Superior Court website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover debit cards. There is a processing fee of about 2.5 percent added to card payments. Electronic check payments have no fee if that option is available for your ticket.
What happens if I pay my ticket late?
Late payment triggers a failure-to-appear charge, additional penalties of $100 to $300, and possible suspension of your driver's license by the DMV. Contact the courthouse when ready if you miss the important date. Some courts accept late payment if you show good cause, though this is not may provide.
Does paying my ticket remove points from my driving record?
No. Paying the fine settles the ticket with the court but does not remove the point from your record. You may be able to take a traffic school course to remove the point, but you must request this before paying the fine. There is an additional fee for traffic school.
Can I get a refund if I pay my ticket and then want to contest it?
No. Once payment is received, the case is closed and you cannot get a refund. If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a court date before paying. Do not pay the fine if you plan to fight the ticket.
Which courthouse do I send payment to if my ticket does not show an address?
Call the Los Angeles Superior Court traffic division or check your ticket carefully — the courthouse address should be printed on it. If you cannot find it, visit lacourt.org and search for the courthouse that covers the area where you received the ticket. Sending payment to the wrong courthouse delays processing.