Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions in regards to the online traffic appointment system.
Is there a Night Court for traffic tickets?
What happens if I don't take care of my traffic citation by the appearance date?
What types of payment do you accept?
What if I have a financial hardship and cannot afford to pay for my citation?
What types of appointments and services are available for my traffic case?
An appointment is required for all courtroom appearances. In addition, we offer appointments to speak with someone in our Business Office. Listed below are some examples of what services we provide based on case and appointment. Please review each appointment type to determine which one fits your needs.
Business Office
Non-Adjudicated Case
- Get a one-time 30-day extension
- Make a payment on a case
- Request traffic school
- Present proof of correction
- Cancel Court Trial and pay case in full (at least 2 business days in advance)
- Request a Trial by Written Declaration and post full bail
- Request Court Trial and post full bail
Business Office
Adjudicated Case
- Request a first time continuance on previously established installment payment plans
- Request second continuance on previously established installment payment plans
- Request one time program enrollment/completion extension
- Show proof of completion of a program/volunteer work as ordered by the Court
- Show proof of correction as ordered by the Court
Day or Night
Court Appearance
- Reminder Notice indicates mandatory appearance
- Request to reschedule Court Trial date (at least 2 full business days in advance)
- Request for additional time if counter requests are exhausted
- Request consideration for financial hardship
- Request a plea of not guilty and discuss posting bail with judicial officer
- Reasons that are not covered above
Must Schedule a Courtroom Appointment
What cases are eligible to use the scheduling system?
Please review the scheduling rules, as not all traffic cases are eligible to use the appointment system.
- All citation offenses must be an infraction.
- Must not have a civil assessment (referred to collection).
- Appear by date must not be 10 or more days past due.
- Traffic school remains unpaid, has not been requested, or does not have an active installment plan.
What kinds of appointments are offered by each traffic court location?
East CountyTraffic Division
Appointments Offered
| Available | |
|---|---|
| Business Office | |
| Court Appearance | |
| Night Court Appearance |
Kearny MesaTraffic Court
Appointments Offered
| Available | |
|---|---|
| Business Office | |
| Court Appearance | |
| Night Court Appearance |
South CountyTraffic Division
Appointments Offered
| Available | |
|---|---|
| Business Office | |
| Court Appearance | |
| Night Court Appearance |
North CountyTraffic Annex
Appointments Offered
| Available | |
|---|---|
| Business Office | |
| Court Appearance | |
| Night Court Appearance |
Depending on the location, some online scheduling options may not be currently available. Please contact that court location.
Why can't I reschedule or cancel my appointment?
Is there a Night Court for traffic tickets?
Most divisions offer an evening court session for infraction cases only. Court addresses and hours are available on our Traffic Business Office page. If your ticket directs you to appear at the Kearny Mesa Traffic Court, North County Traffic Annex or South County Traffic Division, you may schedule a court appearance at night court. Bail is not required to appear in court.
What happens if I don't take care of my traffic citation by the appearance date?
Failure to resolve your traffic/minor offense ticket by the appear-by date, located near the bottom of your ticket, may result in the issuance of a warrant, new charges, or the imposition of a $100 civil assessment added to the original bail amount pursuant to Penal Code §1214.1 with a referral to a collection agency, and if applicable, suspension of your driver license.
What types of payment do you accept?
MasterCard, Visa, American Express, cash, checks and money orders are accepted at the court.
What if I have a financial hardship and cannot afford to pay for my citation?
You may choose from any of the options below.
Pleading Guilty:
If you would like to plead guilty in writing, you may complete an Advisal/Waiver of Constitutional Rights for Plea by Mail form (SDSC Form #MO-041PDF) and submit it to the court either in person, via mail, or via express drop box at the courthouse. Include a written explanation of your financial hardship and inability to pay. You may want to consider completing and submitting a Can’t Afford to Pay Fine form (Judicial Council Form #TR-320PDF>) as well. Your request will be submitted to the court for review and you will be notified of the court’s decision by mail.
Pleading Not Guilty:
If you would like to plead not guilty in writing, you may complete the Request for Arraignment and Trial on Same Date – Infractions form (SDSC Form #MO-012PDF), and submit it to the court either in person, via mail, or via express drop box at the courthouse. You will be notified of your arraignment and trial date by mail. Your ability to pay will be discussed after your trial, if necessary.
Appearing in Court:
If you would like to appear in court for any of the above reasons, you will need to schedule a hearing date. You can schedule a hearing online or visit the traffic business office of the court indicated on your ticket, court paperwork, or collection paperwork to schedule your hearing date.
What if I am unable to pay my court ordered fine?
If you are unable to make a scheduled court ordered fine payment due to financial hardship, you may do any of the following:
- Request a 30-day extension to pay (maximum two extensions) online, by phone, or in writing via mail or via an express drop box at the correct courthouse location.
-
Appear at the Traffic Business Office and:
- a. Request a 30-day extension to pay (maximum of two extensions); or
- b. Request a payment plan, or reduction in payment amount (if above $35/month); or
-
c. Request to schedule a courtroom appointment to ask the court to:
- 1. Consider your ability to pay; and/or
- 2. Request a reduction of the fine; and/or
- 3. Request community service/volunteer work; and/or
- 4. Request a payment plan, or reduction in payment amount (if above $35/month).
NOTE: An appointment is required to appear in court. The online scheduler is not available for these cases.
3. Submit a written explanation of your financial hardship and inability to pay to the court. You may want to complete and submit a Can’t Afford to Pay Fine form (Judicial Council Form #TR-320PDF). You will be notified of the court’s decision by mail. Any prior orders in your case requiring payment will remain in effect until the court rules on your request.
4. Appear in Court. If you would like to appear in court for any of the above reasons, you will need to visit the traffic business office of the court indicated on your ticket, court paperwork, or collection paperwork to schedule your courtroom appointment date. All court appearances are scheduled in advance.
Who do I contact regarding a traffic citation I received?
There is a court name and address located near the bottom of your ticket indicating where your ticket has been filed. Court locations, contact information, and hours are available on the Traffic Business Office page.
I received a traffic ticket, but have not yet received a notice with the bail amount. What should I do?
If you don't receive a reminder notice before your appearance date, you should contact the court location listed on your ticket. Court addresses and hours are available on our Office Locations page.
Am I eligible for traffic school?
Once the ticket is filed with the court, you may receive a reminder notice in the mail. This notice will indicate whether you may be eligible to attend traffic school. You are INELIGIBLE for traffic school if the following apply:
- You attended traffic school for a violation occurring within 18 months of the current violation.
- For those with a commercial license, you were driving a commercial vehicle when the violation occurred.
For those eligible for traffic school, completing traffic school DOES NOT result in a dismissal of the violation(s). Your conviction will be reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV). However, if you have a noncommercial driver’s license, the DMV may choose to make the conviction confidential, such that it would not appear on your driving record. If you have a commercial driver’s license, the conviction will appear on your driving record, but the DMV may choose not to count it as a violation point.
If you attend traffic school despite being ineligible, your conviction will remain on your non-confidential driving record. If you are ineligible for traffic school or are eligible but decide not to attend, your automobile insurance, as well as other areas, may be adversely affected. Refer to Vehicle Code § 42005, Vehicle Code § 1808.7, Vehicle Code § 41501, Vehicle Code § 42007, and California Rules of Court, rule 4.104, for additional information.
You may obtain a list of approved traffic schools from a local California Department of Motor Vehicles office.
How do I arrange to attend traffic school if I'm eligible?
If you are eligible, your reminder notice will indicate that you have the option to attend traffic school. It will also indicate the total amount due to the court for this option. You can request traffic school online, by mail, via an express drop box, or in person. Traffic school lists are available at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. For more information, see our Traffic School Information page.
You may pay the fee in full or set up a payment plan online or in person. A fee must also be paid to the traffic school you attend. Methods of instruction and class fees vary. You may want to call a variety of schools before you determine which school you attend.
If you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for the offenses on your ticket, you may request the court consider:
- Your ability to pay and/or your request to reduce the bail amount; or
- Your request for an installment plan or reduced payment amount (for payments less than $35/month) based on your ability to pay;
- Your request for community service/volunteer work in lieu of the fine.
Do I have to pay the court a fee to attend Traffic School and a fee to the Traffic School?
Yes, a fee is paid to the court in the amount of the total bail plus $52, and the total will be indicated on your reminder notice in the “Traffic School” amount listed under the “Total Bail” amount in the upper right corner, see sample above.
I received a red light photo enforcement ticket in the mail but I was not the driver. What do I do?
To view your photographs, you may call the law enforcement agency at the number listed below to set up an appointment:
- Del Mar and Solana Beach (760) 966-3500
You may also view your photographs at www.photonotice.com or the North County Court Division located in Vista at 325 South Melrose Dr., Annex Building, Vista, 92081.
I received a ticket for your court but I live outside of San Diego County. Where can I get a Traffic school list for my area?
You can obtain a list from a California Superior Court or from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
