Most California citations have a 60-day deadline
Tell the court your side, in your own words.
Write what happened and answer a few questions. TicketClear turns it into a court-ready written declaration you review, edit and sign, with the TR-205 form and mailing instructions for your court. Speed camera notices from San Francisco and Oakland included.
- All 58 California counties
- Eligibility verified before you pay
- Instant download
TR-205 · Request for Trial by Written Declaration
Declaration of Defendant
Citation No. ••••••••
I am the defendant named in the citation above.
On March 3, I was driving north on Main Street near 5th Avenue…
Exhibit A is a photo of the location, taken facing north. Exhibit B is a diagram of the intersection.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
THE REAL COST
That fine is just the beginning.
Here is what paying a typical ticket means, and what contesting it by mail looks like.
If you pay $234
- You pay $234 to the court now.
- For most moving violations, a DMV point goes on your record, and insurers must weigh your driving safety record first (Insurance Code 1861.02(a)).
If you contest it by mail
- In most courts you deposit the bail amount with your request (Vehicle Code 40902(b)), usually the same $234 shown on the notice. It is refunded if you are found not guilty or the charge is dismissed.
- TicketClear prepares your written declaration for $49.99.
- Contesting is not risk-free. See the details below.
This is for a court traffic ticket. A civil camera notice or a parking ticket is paid to the city or county and contested with it, not the court.
The example uses $234: on the 2026 statewide schedule, a $35 base fine becomes $234 with penalty assessments and court fees. The total on your own notice already includes them.
Sources: California Insurance Code 1861.02 and 1861.025, Vehicle Code 1808.7 and 40902 and the California Courts self-help guide.
What each choice means
If you pay
- For most moving violations, paying adds a DMV point to your record immediately.
- Insurers must weigh your driving safety record first (Insurance Code 1861.02(a)). How much your premium changes, and for how long, depends on your insurer.
- A second point within three years ends your eligibility for the Proposition 103 Good Driver Discount, which is at least 20 percent off the rate you would otherwise pay.
- If you qualify for traffic school, the first traffic school conviction in any 18-month period is kept confidential (Vehicle Code 1808.7), so insurers do not see it. It does not apply to commercial drivers or to violations worth more than one point.
If you ignore it
- The court can add a civil assessment of up to $100.
- You can be charged with failure to appear.
- The court can add the violation to your DMV record.
If you contest it
- A Trial by Written Declaration lets you contest the citation in writing.
Contesting is not risk-free.
- If the judge finds you guilty, you have the same conviction and the same DMV points as if you had paid, and your bail deposit is applied to the fine, but the judge can set a fine higher or lower than the bail.
- Going to trial does not make you ineligible for traffic school, but after a guilty finding it is up to the judge.
Product tour
Everything in one place
From citation upload to a packet ready to mail. Explore every step.
Step 1
Select your violation type
Tell us what kind of ticket you received. We support 120 California Vehicle Code violations across all 58 counties.
- Speeding, red light, stop sign, cell phone, and more
- Speed camera notices from San Francisco and Oakland
- Eligibility verified before any payment
FREE REMINDER
Don't miss your deadline
Enter your ticket due date and email. We'll send you a free reminder 14 days before it expires. No account needed.
Built for drivers who stay on the road
2 Declaration Packets you download and mail yourself. No expiration. No commitment. Use each credit when your next eligible citation arrives.
- 2 Declaration Packets for any eligible California tickets
- Instant download for each ticket
- Credits never expire
- No subscription or auto renewal
- Save $9.99 versus buying two separately
$89.99
2 Declaration Packets · save $9.99
Instant download. No expiration. No commitment.
Get the Driver Pack, $89.99Eligibility Guarantee
Before generating your declaration, we check your citation against California eligibility requirements. If your ticket is not eligible for a Trial by Written Declaration, we will let you know before you pay.
Certain violations, including DUI, hit-and-run, and reckless driving, are outside the scope of our document generation tools. For these cases, we recommend consulting a licensed traffic attorney.
FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS
Drive for a living?
Whether you drive rideshare or delivery, or hold a CDL and got a ticket in your own car, see how a ticket works for you, and save with the Driver Pack.
SPEED CAMERAS
California is installing hundreds of speed cameras. We can help you respond.
Under AB 645, six California cities can use automated speed cameras. San Francisco has issued citations since August 2025 at 33 locations, and Oakland since March 2026 at 18. Long Beach (up to 18 cameras) set October 7, 2026 for its warning period, and Los Angeles plans 125 cameras; the first activated October 26, 2026 with warnings. Fines run from $50 to $500 based on speed, and notices arrive by mail.
Figures as of November 2026, per SFMTA, the City of Oakland, the City of Long Beach and LADOT.
AB 645 speed camera citations are civil penalties, not criminal. They carry no points on your license, and you can still request a review. The notice goes to the registered owner, and the law does not list someone else driving as an exception; the affidavit that comes with it covers rental-company and stolen vehicles. A review request can raise questions such as whether the plate in the photo is yours, whether the signs were posted and whether the camera was calibrated.
For AB 645 notices, TicketClear prepares a written initial review request from your answers. You download it, sign it, and send it to the city that issued the notice, not to a court.
IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY
Losing means the same conviction as paying, but the fine is up to the judge.
If the court finds you guilty, you have the same conviction and DMV points as paying, and your bail deposit is applied to the fine. The judge can set a fine higher or lower than the bail, and whether you can still take traffic school is up to the judge. If the court dismisses the citation, it refunds the bail deposit.
One thing to know before you file
California courts usually require a bail deposit submitted along with your declaration. This is a check or money order made payable to the court for the amount listed on your citation. TicketClear calculates the exact amount and includes it in your filing instructions. Your bail deposit is not an extra fee. If the court rules in your favor, it is returned to you. If the court rules against you, it is applied to your fine.
QUESTIONS
Questions people ask before they contest their ticket
What is a Trial by Written Declaration?
A Trial by Written Declaration is an official California legal procedure under Vehicle Code 40902 that lets you contest a traffic ticket entirely in writing. No court appearance required. You submit a written statement to the court, the citing officer submits theirs, and a judge decides. If you lose, most courts let you request a new trial in person; courts that offer online trial by declaration through MyCitations do not, but you can appeal. Contesting is not risk-free. If the judge finds you guilty, you have the same conviction and the same DMV points as if you had paid, and your bail deposit is applied to the fine, but the judge can set a fine higher or lower than the bail.
Do I have to mail the documents myself?
Yes. TicketClear prepares your complete filing packet including the TR-205 form, your declaration, and step by step filing instructions with your court's mailing address. You print the packet, include your bail deposit (a check or money order payable to the court), and mail everything together. We recommend certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
What makes TicketClear different from other services?
First, speed camera tickets: for an AB 645 notice, TicketClear prepares a written initial review request that you send to the city that issued it, not to a court. Second, the Driver Pack: 2 Declaration Packets for $89.99, with credits that never expire, for drivers who get more than one ticket. Third, a free deadline reminder: give us your ticket's due date and we email you 14 days before it, no account needed. Packets for traditional tickets also include the completed TR-205 court form.
What happens to my bail deposit if I lose?
Contesting is not risk-free. If the judge finds you guilty, you have the same conviction and the same DMV points as if you had paid, and your bail deposit is applied to the fine, but the judge can set a fine higher or lower than the bail. Going to trial does not make you ineligible for traffic school, but after a guilty finding it is up to the judge.
What happens if my ticket is not eligible?
We check eligibility before you pay. If your citation does not qualify for Trial by Written Declaration, you are not charged. If a triage error occurs and you are charged for an ineligible ticket, you receive a full refund.
How long does this take?
The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Checking eligibility takes about 2 minutes, answering the questions takes most of the rest, and you see a preview before you pay. After checkout, you review, edit and sign your declaration, then download the packet. Courts typically take 4 to 8 weeks to issue a ruling after receiving your declaration.
What types of tickets can I contest with TicketClear?
TicketClear prepares documents for most California infraction-level traffic citations: speeding, running red lights, rolling stop signs, unsafe lane changes, and more. We also now support AB 645 speed camera citations and SB 720 red-light camera citations. We do not prepare documents for misdemeanors, DUIs, or reckless driving. Those require a licensed attorney.
Do I need to know anything about the law?
No legal knowledge required. You answer plain English questions about your citation and what happened. Our tool organizes your answers into a properly formatted declaration. You review everything before you pay.
What if my court deadline is coming up soon?
Start right away. Your declaration is generated the same day. After you download and print your packet, mail it immediately. We recommend mailing at least 7 to 10 days before your deadline. If you need more time, many California courts allow a continuance (extension) for traffic infractions.
Does this work in my county?
Yes. TicketClear covers all 58 California counties. Your instructions give your traffic court’s mailing address and any forms or steps your county’s court adds. Where each courthouse takes its own mail, we use the court printed on your ticket and ask you to confirm it.
Is TicketClear a law firm?
No. TicketClear is a technology platform that prepares Trial by Written Declaration documents, similar to how TurboTax prepares tax returns. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For complex legal situations, we recommend consulting a licensed California attorney.
Is TicketClear available in Spanish?
Yes. You can answer every question in Spanish, and the steps for contesting a traffic ticket are in Spanish too. Your declaration itself is written in English, as California courts require. Before you sign, you review the whole declaration and can change anything in it.
What is included in my download?
Your download includes a complete filing packet (usually 5 pages): your prefilled TR-205 court form (pages 1 to 2) and your Declaration of Facts (pages 3 to 5). You also receive a separate one page filing instruction sheet with your court's mailing address, a checklist of what to include, and your deadline.
Your ticket has a deadline. Tell your side today.
Most California citations have a 60-day deadline. Write what happened in your own words, then review, edit and sign your declaration.
Start my declarationFree to start · $49.99 when you're ready to download