Failure to pay your speeding ticket by the due date, or the appear-by date, can have many repercussions, including introducing a new $100 fine. California courts treat due process very seriously, so the legal system has several measures to escalate the issue further, from further late fees to jail time and beyond. To help protect you, it may be a good idea to fully understand the escalating repercussions you may face if you fail to respond appropriately to such a fine.
So, what happens if you don't pay a speeding ticket on time?
Below, we offer a step-by-step guide to what happens next after you miss a speeding ticket fine. Learn how to avoid these and what a lawyer can do to give you the best chance of getting them dismissed or reduced the next time you are in court.
What Happens If You Don't Pay a Speeding Ticket
California speeding ticket laws are fairly strict. As soon as you have missed the payment, usually 30 days after the initial ticket, you can expect to face an additional fee being added to the ticket amount. These can range anywhere from $50 to $300, often depending on the jurisdiction in which the ticket was given and the severity of the infraction.
The reason for this increase in the charge is that failing to pay on time signals that you do not wish to comply with the court's wishes. Even if this is not true, the consequences of unpaid tickets can lead to further legal action should you not resolve it as soon as possible.
When this occurs:
- The court receives notice of your failure to pay
- The government sends a notice to your registered address.
- The court may also schedule a mandatory hearing to address the unpaid fine.
Always update your address with the DMV as soon as possible to ensure you receive all correspondence related to such issues and to avoid escalation.
When a mistake has occurred, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to help you overcome the nuances of such a mistake and ensure your records accurately reflect the circumstances.
If you feel you may have trouble paying this or need to resolve the fee over time, you can contact the court to set up a payment plan. These can reduce the immediate burden of the fine, but you must discuss the specific details with the court to ensure you set it up correctly.
Within 30 Days After The Due Date
Should the timeline continue, such as if you continue ignoring traffic violations, then at some point within 30 days after the due date, the court may choose to escalate further. The fee is up to $300 more, and the intent is to penalize non-compliance further.
Licence Hold
When you do not pay in time, the DMV may place a hold on your driver's license. A "hold" makes driving illegal until the ticket has been resolved, prioritizing your civil responsibility to pay off the debt over the government's license they grant you to drive.
The hold remains in place until the court notifies the DMV of payment or some other form of compliance. As such, you cannot drive immediately after leaving the courtroom or even after paying speeding tickets online.
So, ensure that you wait for confirmation. Otherwise, you may face other punishments, including possible vehicle impoundment.
Warrant
Depending on the type of speeding ticket, a warrant may be issued if a court date is missed. A common example of a violation would be vc vehicle code 22348(b) - speeding over 100mph, which is a mandatory court appearence. If you did miss your court date, we can can help get you back on track
60 To 90 Days After The Due Date
If you fail to pay after two to three months, the DMV is much more likely to suspend your license. Such a suspension will likely affect your employment, especially if the vehicle is integral to your role.
As such, it is crucial to understand the importance of resolving your fine as soon as possible. If you drive with a suspended license, especially if you speed again or even recklessly drive, the court will not look kindly on you.
If you ignore this ruling and continue to drive without a valid license, you may be pulled over by the police after being detected on the road by their automated license plate reading system. If they can tell that you are driving without a license, they will likely give you jail time and further fines.
On top of all this, reinstating a suspended license in California often demands you make further payment and may impart additional fees for processing.
Referral to Collections
Around this time, the local government will also send your fine to collection agencies. As soon as this occurs, your credit score will likely be seriously impacted, affecting your future efforts to take advantage of financial opportunities such as loans or credit cards.
Collection agencies are also prone to repeatedly contacting individuals to ensure a debt is resolved. Do not be surprised if they make your life very difficult, as from their point of view, debt repayment should be your main priority.
Also, interest and collection fees can further increase the amount owed, meaning that paying off the debt through collections may not remove all penalties.
Beyond 90 Days
If you refuse to pay after 90 days, the court will likely consider issuing a bench warrant. These allow law enforcement to arrest you at any point when they become aware of your presence.
If you are driving without a license, the police may do this during a routine traffic stop. They may also call in if a possible employer runs a background check, making it very unlikely that you would get that role.
At this point, the best thing for you to do is to contact a lawyer and discuss your options to ensure the situation does not escalate more than it already has.
Resolve Your Ticket Before It's Too Late
Now you know what happens if you don't pay a speeding ticket in California and how it can often lead to escalating financial and legal issues. The consequences can be long-lasting, including fees, license suspension, and potential arrest.
People throughout California trust FYourTicket to offer expert support and help them navigate the state's complex traffic laws. If you are worried, or even scared, about a ticket you recently received, simply give us a call. We can provide advice tailored to your situation and offer you a clearer path to safety, free from debt.