An infraction ticket is a written notice that you violated a traffic law, issued by a police officer or traffic enforcement officer at the roadside or by mail

An infraction is the lowest level of traffic violation. It is not a crime. The officer writes down what law you broke—speeding, running a red light, expired registration, broken taillight—and gives or mails you a ticket with a case number, the violation code, and the fine amount. You then have choices: pay the fine, contest it in traffic court, or request traffic school (where available). The ticket itself is not a criminal record, but it does go into your driving history and can affect your insurance rates.

Infractions differ from misdemeanors and felonies, which are criminal charges. A misdemeanor might be reckless driving or driving with a suspended license. A felony is rare in traffic but can include hit-and-run or driving under the influence causing injury. An infraction carries no jail time and no criminal record—only a fine and points on your driving record (the number varies by state and violation).

Key Takeaways

  • An infraction is a traffic violation that results in a fine and points on your driving record, but is not a criminal charge.
  • The ticket shows the violation code, fine amount, and important date to respond, usually 30 days from the date issued.
  • You can pay the fine, go to traffic court to contest it, or request traffic school if the court or officer offers it.
  • Points from infractions stay on your record for three to seven years depending on your state, and accumulating too many can suspend your license.
  • Unpaid tickets can result in a license suspension, vehicle registration hold, or a warrant for your arrest in some states.

What the ticket tells you and what you must do

The ticket lists the violation code (for example, Vehicle Code 22350 in California for speeding), the fine amount, and the date by which you must respond. That important date is usually 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. The ticket also shows the court that has jurisdiction—the traffic court in the city or county where the violation occurred. Some tickets include an option to pay online or by mail; others require you to appear in court or contact the court to arrange payment.

Read the ticket carefully. If information is wrong—your name, license plate, the date or location of the violation—note it. You can use incorrect details as part of your defense if you contest the ticket. The ticket should also state whether you can request traffic school or defensive driving school. Not all violations may have access to, and not all courts offer the program.

Paying the fine versus contesting the ticket

If you pay the fine, the case closes. The violation and points remain on your driving record. You do not have to appear in court. Payment can usually be made online, by mail, or in person at the court listed on the ticket. Paying does not mean you admit guilt in a legal sense—it is a civil settlement—but it does result in points being added to your record.

If you contest the ticket, you request a court date and tell the judge why the citation was wrong or why you should not be found responsible. You can argue that the officer made an error (wrong speed, wrong vehicle, wrong date), that the sign or marking was unclear, or that the officer did not follow proper procedure. The burden is on the prosecution to prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added. If you lose, you pay the fine and the points are added anyway.

Contesting a ticket takes time. You will need to appear in court on the date assigned, and if the officer does not show, the ticket is often dismissed. Some courts allow you to request a trial by written declaration, meaning you submit a written statement instead of appearing in person, and the judge decides based on the evidence.

Traffic school and point reduction

Many states allow drivers to take a traffic school or defensive driving course to reduce or eliminate points from an infraction. You must be offered this option on the ticket or by the court. The course is usually four to eight hours long, taken online or in a classroom, and costs between $20 and $100 depending on the provider and state. You pay the fine and the course fee separately.

Completing traffic school does not erase the violation from your record, but it prevents the points from being added. This keeps your insurance rates from rising due to that specific ticket. However, you can typically use traffic school only once every 12 to 18 months, depending on your state. If you receive multiple infractions in a short time, you can only reduce points on one of them.

How points affect your driving record and license

Each infraction adds a certain number of points to your driving record. A speeding ticket might add one to three points; a more serious violation like reckless driving might add four. The points stay on your record for three to seven years, depending on your state. During that time, they can increase your insurance premiums and affect your ability to renew your registration.

If you accumulate too many points in a short period—usually 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months, though this varies by state—your license can be suspended. The Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a notice and a chance to request a hearing. If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a criminal misdemeanor and can result in arrest, fines, and jail time.

What happens if you ignore the ticket

If you do not respond to the ticket by the important date, the court can issue a failure-to-appear charge. This is separate from the original infraction and is more serious. The court may suspend your driver's license, place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, or issue a warrant for your arrest. Some states allow the court to refer the debt to a collection agency or the state tax board, which can affect your credit and tax refunds.

If you received the ticket by mail and did not see it, or if you moved and did not receive it, contact the court listed on the ticket as soon as possible. Explain the situation and ask to reopen the case or extend the important date. Courts are often willing to work with drivers who respond promptly, even if late.

Infractions and vehicle registration renewal

An unpaid infraction can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. When you attempt to renew online or at the DMV, the system flags outstanding traffic violations and blocks the renewal until the ticket is resolved. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle. Paying the fine or contesting and resolving the ticket in court removes the block, and you can then renew your registration.

Some states also allow the court to report unpaid infractions to the DMV, which can suspend your license even if you have not accumulated enough points to trigger suspension on their own. The suspension stays in place until the ticket is paid or resolved in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a ticket dismissed if the officer does not show up to court?

In most states, yes. If you request a court date and the officer does not appear, the judge will usually dismiss the ticket. However, you must actually appear on the date assigned or request a continuance in advance. straightforward not showing up yourself will result in a failure-to-appear charge.

Will an infraction raise my insurance rates?

Yes, most insurance companies increase rates after an infraction, especially for speeding or at-fault accidents. The increase varies by company and violation type but can last three to five years. Taking traffic school can prevent the points from being added, which may help keep rates lower, though some insurers check the violation itself rather than just the points.

What is the difference between an infraction and a misdemeanor traffic violation?

An infraction is a civil violation with a fine and points but no criminal record or jail time. A misdemeanor is a criminal charge that can result in jail time, a criminal record, and higher fines. Reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and DUI are misdemeanors. Speeding and most registration violations are infractions.

Can I request traffic school if I have already paid the ticket?

Policies vary by court. Some courts allow you to request traffic school within a certain window even after paying, while others do not. Contact the court listed on your ticket and ask whether you can still enroll in traffic school. If allowed, you may be able to have the points removed even though you already paid the fine.

How long do points stay on my driving record?

Points typically remain on your record for three to seven years, depending on your state and the type of violation. After that period, they are removed from your record, though the violation itself may still appear in your history. Check your state's DMV website for the exact timeline.