Getting a speeding ticket is never enjoyable, but it happens even to the best of us at least once in our lifetimes.
Every year, one out of every ten drivers in the United States is pulled over for speeding, and over 70% of those are ticketed. A speeding ticket can cause a slew of issues with your insurance rates, not to mention the cost of the ticket itself. Furthermore, if you receive too many, your license may be suspended.
There are a few things you may do to lessen the impact of a speeding ticket. The majority of people take one of three paths: pay the penalty, dispute the charge, or seek mitigation. Next, we focus on what happens when you pay a speeding ticket.
What Happens if I Pay a Speeding Ticket?
Sometimes people simply do not want to take the time or make an effort to contest a speeding ticket, so they accept to pay it. This has various ramifications. First and foremost, there is the cost of the ticket itself—which in California can be as high as $300—based on where you were and how far you were traveling over the speed limit when you were cited.
You will also receive points on your license based on the type of ticket you go, as it tells how much over the speed limit you were traveling. Those points will almost certainly increase your insurance costs. Some insurance companies provide special programs for people who have a lot of tickets, but you should expect your premiums to rise overall. Your down payment and monthly cost will be much greater if you seek new insurance.
Overall, if you decide to pay the ticket, make sure you do it before the due date on the citation to prevent further fines and issues.
How Do I Pay a Speeding Ticket in California?
You can pay in person, via mail, or online. To pay by mail, submit your fine/bail to the courthouse mentioned on your courtesy notice. Most fines/bails can be paid using a credit or debit card. Just keep in mind that the Court’s service charges a 5% fee for credit/debit card payments.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay a Traffic Ticket on Time?
If you get a traffic ticket or a red light camera penalty, you must address the ticket as quickly as possible. Some drivers who forget about the ticket or are unable to pay it right away may face additional consequences on top of the original issue. Instead of waiting, it is best to conduct urgent research on how to dispute traffic ticket charges.
What if you do not pay a speeding ticket? Here are some of the consequences of failing to pay your ticket on time.
Suspended Driver’s License
Failure to pay a speeding ticket or appear in court to answer the citation may result in a suspended driver’s license. A suspended driver’s license will only serve to aggravate the situation.
Higher Fines
Most California courts offer violators up to 90 days to pay their fines or enter a plea.
According to the court, 90 days is more than enough time for a person to determine how to proceed and take action.
If you do not pay the original fine and the assessment within another grace period, the court may send your case to collections.
Car Registration Renewal Problems
In addition to having issues with your driver’s license, an unpaid ticket or an unlawful U-turn penalty may have an influence on your car’s registration.
If your case deteriorates to this point, experienced ticket fighters or attorneys may be able to assist you.
Arrest Warrant
Unpaid traffic tickets may result in an arrest warrant in the most serious cases. However, this is not usually what occurs if you do not pay a speeding ticket.
Misdemeanor Charges
If you receive a court notification for your traffic violation, unpaid tickets can lead to misdemeanor charges over time.
If you do not show in court on the date and time specified, the court may charge you with “failure to appear.” FTA is a breach of the written agreement you made at the moment of the stop when you signed the speeding ticket.
We are here for everyone at Ticket Snipers because we understand the impact of a traffic ticket on our clients’ lives.
We know they can’t take time off from work to go to court or traffic school, and they can’t afford hefty penalties or higher insurance rates.
If you’re looking for the best and most capable team, please call us at Ticket Snipers, and we’ll handle your ticket!