Driving

Got a Traffic Ticket? Here's What to Do!

Driving Legal skills Police

Last Reviewed:

June, 2025

Reviewed By:

JES Legal Specialist

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BIG IDEA

Don’t ignore it.

For things like speeding, driving without insurance, and several offenses under the Motor Vehicle Act, the police may give you a Violation Ticket (an ordinary traffic ticket.) The ticket will show the offense you are charged with and the penalty.

How to Pay Your Ticket

  • Read the ticket: It will have most of the information you need.
  • Act quickly to get a discount: If you pay early you will get a discount. Check the ticket for deadlines.
  • Payment Methods: Phone, in person, or by mail. The ticket will have instructions.
  • More Info: Visit the ICBC website for detailed instructions on how and where to pay.

You can dispute a ticket if you…

  • Don’t think you should have been given a ticket
  • Don’t agree with the amount of the fine
  • Want to request more time to pay your ticket

Act fast! You have 30 days to dispute. After that, it’s automatically a conviction.

Hot Tip

Paying the fine or not disputing the ticket means you accept the charge. It could result in penalty points on your license which increases your insurance premiums. Get enough points and you could be banned from driving. For more on points and fines see here.

How to Submit a Dispute

Read the ticket including the back: Your ticket will explain your options and how to dispute.

You can dispute your ticket either online, in person at a Provincial Court or ICBC office, or by mail. Go to tickets.gov.bc.ca to dispute your ticket online.

Dig Deeper

How do I fight a traffic ticket in BC?, from People's Law School

Disputing a Provincial Violation Ticket from the BC Government

After You Dispute

  • You’ll likely need to go traffic court.
  • More Info: Check the ICBC website for the guide to Disputing a Ticket.

Lost Your Ticket?

  • Contact ICBC or your local police for help.

Dig Deeper

Fines, Payments, and Traffic Tickets from Province of British Columbia

Guide to Disputing a Ticket - ICBC

If you are charged with a more serious offence

If you are charged with a more serious traffic offence, such as careless driving or hit and run, you will get written notice of the offence in the form of a Summons or an Appearance Notice.

Legal Lingo

A Summons is mailed to you or personally delivered to you. An Appearance Notice is given to you by a police officer at the time of offence. These documents describe the offences you are charged with. They also tell you when you have to appear in court.

You MUST appear in court. If, for some reason you cannot appear in court, contact the court registrar to inform them. If you receive a Summons or Appearance Notice you may need to talk to a lawyer to get legal advice. A lawyer could represent you in court.