How to Pay a Traffic Ticket

There is nothing worse than when you see a pair of red and blue lights in your rear view mirror. Even if you know you pushed the limit a little too far and broken a traffic law, nobody likes having to pay for a traffic ticket. Well here are some tips on how you can pay it quickly and move on with your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Traffic ticket

1. Flip the ticket over and read the back of it. Most tickets will have contact information on the back of the ticket. Read the section that says something along the lines of "if you wish to plead guilty." It's a harsh way of putting it, but if you are paying the traffic ticket, that is in essence what you are doing. Read the instructions that pertain to this section.

2. Pay your traffic ticket over the phone. This is especially popular in the big cities now. There is usually a toll-free number on the back of the ticket. Simply call the number and follow the prompting. Toward the end of the call, you will be asked to enter your credit-card info. After they've accepted payment, make sure you get a confirmation number in case there is a problem down the line.

3. Write a check to pay the traffic ticket. Most people usually get home, hem and haw that they got the ticket, and then take their check book out. The only thing you must watch for here is that you write a check from a personal account and not a business (for those of you who operate your own business.) Also be sure to include your name and the ticket citation number on the check. Mail it back to the address provided. Then be sure to monitor your checking account to make sure the check clears.

4. Log on to your computer and pay the traffic ticket. Some cities, especially the major ones, offer something called "traffic school." In return for taking traffic school (for a fee), the ticket will not count for your insurance. That, of course, doesn't mean you don't have to pay the fine. When you log on, it will instruct you to enter a credit card, which it will charge for both the traffic school and the ticket.

5. Go to the courthouse and pay in person. On the back of the traffic ticket, you will be told which courthouse you can appear at to contest the ticket. At the courthouse, you can also pay for your violation. This is because many people who go to trial over a traffic ticket lose, therefore they are more than happy to collect your money right on the spot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are thinking of fighting a traffic ticket, make sure that it is actually worth it. By the time you take a day to go to the courthouse and have a traffic trial, it may be a better use of your time just to pay the darn thing.
• If you can't pay for all of your traffic ticket, ask if you can break it into payments. Local authorities will usually set-up a payment plan.