Here’s What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Speeding Ticket
I won’t judge you for not paying your speeding ticket. Things happen. For example, you may have lost it, or forgotten about it. Maybe it was sent to you in the mail and you never got it. But here’s what happens if you don’t pay for a traffic violation.
Here’s what happens if you don’t pay your speeding ticket
What happens if you don’t pay your speeding ticket or minor traffic infraction may vary a little by state. However, typically, you get in more trouble with the police. The consequences can pile up pretty quickly.
Failure to pay the citation can cause late penalties and lead to additional fees. As these fees compound your ticket for a minor infraction can get very expensive.
If the citation requires a court appearance, and you fail to show you might get an FTA (failure to appear) notice. This may lead to a $200 fine and prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration or license.
Plus, leaving the ticket unpaid can lead to a suspended driver’s license that remains in effect until the ticket is paid for or settled in court. On top of that, it can increase the amount of points on your record, causing your insurance costs to increase.
If the unpaid fines are sent to a collection agency then your credit score could be damaged. This impacts your ability to get approved for loans, credit cards, or rental applications.
According to WRD Lawfirm, failure to appear in court or an unpaid ticket can cause a bench warrant to be issued for your arrest. Police officers could detain you during a traffic stop or at your home.
What to do if you can’t pay or lose your ticket
It’s best to pay for a speeding ticket or hire a traffic lawyer immediately to take care of the situation. But if it’s too expensive, appearing in court to contest the ticket may result in a reduced fine.
You can also contact the court to discuss your options. You might be able to get on a payment plan or explore other options, like an extension. Also, drivers can ask to perform community service or attend traffic school in lieu of payment.
If you lose your ticket, don’t panic. There are many ways to look up your ticket online with the state, city, or county records online.
