Where to pay your Los Angeles traffic ticket online
Los Angeles County traffic tickets can be paid online through the Los Angeles Superior Court's online payment system. You'll go to the court's official website, enter your citation number and other case details, and pay by credit card or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
The City of Los Angeles also runs a separate online payment portal for tickets issued within city limits. Some tickets fall under the city system, others under the county system, and the citation itself should indicate which one issued it. If you're unsure, you can call the Los Angeles Superior Court traffic division at (213) 974-6526 to confirm which system handles your ticket.
Payment through either system is when ready once your card is processed. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. The court records your payment the same day, so you won't face additional penalties for late payment once you've submitted it online.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles Superior Court and the City of Los Angeles each run separate online payment systems, and your citation should show which one issued your ticket.
- You'll need your citation number, driver's license number, and a credit or debit card to pay online.
- Payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number and email receipt the same day.
- If you cannot pay in full, you can request a payment plan or traffic school option through the court before paying.
- Paying online does not resolve points on your driving record or affect insurance rates — it only settles the fine.
What information you need before you start
Gather your citation number first — it's printed on the ticket itself, usually at the top. You'll also need your driver's license number and the date the ticket was issued. Have a credit or debit card ready; the court does not accept cash, checks, or bank transfers through the online system.
Before you pay, check whether you want to contest the ticket or request traffic school. Once you pay online, you're admitting the violation, and contesting it afterward becomes much harder. If you think the ticket was issued in error or you want to take a traffic safety course to keep points off your record, handle that first through the court's traffic division.
Steps to pay through the Los Angeles Superior Court system
Go to the Los Angeles Superior Court website and look for the traffic payment portal. Enter your citation number and driver's license number exactly as they appear on your ticket. The system will pull up your case and show the fine amount.
Review the total before proceeding — it includes the base fine, court costs, and any penalties that have accrued. Select your payment method and enter your card details. The system will process the payment when ready and display a confirmation number on screen. Write down this number or take a screenshot; you'll need it if you ever need to prove payment to the court or your insurance company.
You'll receive an email confirmation within a few minutes. If you don't see it within an hour, check your spam folder or call the court to confirm the payment went through.
Steps to pay through the City of Los Angeles system
If your ticket was issued by the City of Los Angeles Police Department or Los Angeles Department of Transportation, use the city's separate online payment portal. You can find it through the City of Los Angeles official website under traffic citations or parking violations.
Enter your citation number and the last four digits of your driver's license. The system will display your case details and the amount owed. Proceed to payment the same way as the county system — enter your card information and receive an when ready confirmation number. The city system also sends an email receipt, though it may take a few minutes longer than the county system.
What happens after you pay online
Your payment is recorded in the court system the same day. The ticket is considered resolved, and you won't face additional late fees or collection action. However, paying the fine does not remove the violation from your driving record or prevent it from affecting your insurance rates.
If you paid because you were required to as part of a traffic school order, make sure you also complete the traffic school course within the important date the court gave you. Paying the fine and taking the course are separate requirements — doing one does not complete the other.
Keep your confirmation number and email receipt for your records. If you ever need to prove to your insurance company or another agency that you paid, these documents are your proof.
If you cannot pay the full amount right now
Do not ignore the ticket or wait for a collection notice. Instead, contact the Los Angeles Superior Court traffic division before the due date and ask about a payment plan. The court can often break the fine into installments, usually two to four payments spread over several months.
You can also ask about traffic school or other options that might reduce the fine. Some violations are may be able to access for traffic school, which lets you take a course instead of paying the full amount — though you'll pay the course fee instead. The court traffic division can tell you whether your violation qualifies and what your options are.
Common reasons online payment fails
The most common reason payment doesn't go through is a mismatch between the information you entered and what the court has on file. Double-check that your citation number and driver's license number are exactly correct — even a single digit wrong will cause the system to reject your entry.
Your card may also be declined if your bank flags the transaction as suspicious or if you've reached your daily spending limit. Contact your bank to ask whether the payment was blocked, and ask them to allow the transaction. Then try again on the court's website.
If the system says your case is not found, you may have the wrong court system — try the other one (city versus county). If you're still stuck, call the court directly at (213) 974-6526 and ask them to confirm your citation number and which system handles it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Los Angeles traffic ticket by mail instead of online?
Yes. You can mail a check or money order to the Los Angeles Superior Court with your citation number written on it. Mail payments take longer to process — usually one to two weeks — so you risk late fees if your payment arrives after the due date. Online payment is faster and safer because you get when ready confirmation.
Will paying the ticket online remove points from my driving record?
No. Paying the fine settles the financial penalty but does not erase the violation from your record. Only traffic school or a successful traffic court contest can prevent points from being added to your driving record.
What if I paid online but my confirmation email never arrived?
Call the Los Angeles Superior Court traffic division at (213) 974-6526 with your confirmation number from the screen. They can verify that your payment was received and processed. Email confirmations sometimes take longer than expected, but the court's records update when ready.
Can I get a refund if I paid online by mistake?
Contact the court's traffic division as soon as possible. Refunds are possible if you paid the wrong citation number or paid twice, but the court processes them slowly — usually four to six weeks. The sooner you call, the sooner they can start the refund process.
Does paying online count as admitting guilt?
Yes. Paying the fine means you're accepting the violation. If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, contest it through traffic court before paying. Once you pay, contesting it becomes much harder.