Frequently Asked Questions

TicketClear is an automated document generation tool that helps you create a Trial by Written Declaration for California traffic tickets. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Our system formats your own statements into the proper legal structure required by California courts.

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. Going to trial does not make you ineligible for traffic school, but after a guilty finding it is up to the judge.

No. TicketClear provides educational information and automated document generation tools. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney. Results vary. Every citation is unique.

TicketClear works with most California infraction-level traffic tickets, including speeding, red lights, stop signs, and other moving violations. Our system checks your citation against eligibility requirements before you pay.

We cannot generate declarations for DUI, hit-and-run, reckless driving, evading a peace officer, or other misdemeanor-level violations. For these cases, we recommend consulting a licensed traffic attorney.

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.

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.

The process is straightforward: upload a photo or scan of your ticket, answer a few questions about the circumstances of your stop, select the factors that apply to your situation, and check out. Our system then generates a personalized Trial by Written Declaration formatted for your specific court. You download the packet, print it, and mail it to the court yourself.

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.

You will need:

• Your traffic citation (photo or scan)
• The violation code listed on your ticket
• Your court due date
• Basic details about the circumstances of your stop

No. TicketClear is designed exclusively for California traffic tickets. The Trial by Written Declaration process is specific to California Vehicle Code Section 40902. If you received a ticket in another state, we recommend contacting a local traffic attorney in that jurisdiction.

$49.99 for any eligible California ticket, including speed camera and red light camera tickets. You get one product, the Declaration Packet:

• Declaration PDF built from your story (or an administrative review request for camera tickets)
• Completed TR-205 court form (traditional tickets)
• Photo evidence exhibits
• Step by step mailing instructions with your court's address
• Instant download. You print it and mail it yourself.

All prices are one time fees. There are no subscriptions or hidden charges. See our pricing page for full details.

No. You download your Declaration Packet and mail it to the court yourself. We include your court's mailing address and step by step instructions. We recommend sending it by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Every packet works in all 58 California counties.

Yes. The bail deposit is paid to the court and is equal to the fine amount on your citation. TicketClear's service fee is separate and covers the generation of your declaration and filing packet. If the judge rules in your favor, your bail deposit is refunded. TicketClear's service fee is not refundable once your declaration has been generated.

Before generating your declaration, we check your citation against California eligibility requirements. If your ticket is not eligible for a Trial by Written Declaration, for example if it involves a DUI or misdemeanor charge, we will let you know before you pay. You will not be charged for an ineligible citation.

No. Our technology prepares your declaration documents. Your bail payment is always your responsibility. We calculate your bail amount during intake and provide the exact amount, the court address, who to make the payment to, and your deadline.

If a system error put wrong court information in your filing packet, our Refund Policy covers it: email support@ticketclear.ai with your order number and any notice from the court. This covers technical errors only, not case outcomes.

When you upload your citation, our technology extracts the bail amount from your ticket. If we cannot determine it from your citation, we estimate it using your county's published bail schedule and the California penalty assessment formula. We always ask you to verify the amount before proceeding.

The Driver Pack includes 2 Declaration Packets for $89.99. Each credit covers one eligible California ticket: personalized declaration, completed court forms, photo evidence exhibits, and step by step mailing instructions, ready to download. Credits never expire. You save $9.99 compared to buying two Declaration Packets separately.

There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. Purchase in advance or when you have a ticket ready.

Rideshare and delivery platforms review your driving record periodically. Accumulating points or certain violation types can trigger a deactivation review, putting your income at risk. Contesting eligible citations before a conviction is recorded may help protect your record. TicketClear prepares documents only and does not advise on platform policies.

The Driver Pack is 2 Declaration Packets for $89.99. Each credit covers one eligible citation: you download your packet and mail it yourself. Credits never expire and carry no commitment. It is designed for rideshare and delivery drivers who are on the road frequently and face higher citation exposure than the average driver.

No. Driver Pack credits do not expire. There is no deadline to use them, no subscription, and no auto-renewal. Purchase when you have a ticket, or in advance for future use.

Your bail deposit is either refunded or applied to the fine, depending on the decision. Here is how it works:

• If the judge rules in your favor: Your bail deposit is refunded in full. No points are added to your driving record.
• If the judge rules against you: 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.

Contesting is not risk-free. Going to trial does not make you ineligible for traffic school, but after a guilty finding it is up to the judge.

In most courts, you can request a Trial de Novo, a new trial in person, within 20 calendar days after the court mails its decision. Courts that offer online trial by written declaration through MyCitations do not allow a new trial, even if you filed by mail or in person; you can appeal instead.

Where it is available, the Trial de Novo gives you a fresh start. The case is heard again from the beginning, and you (or an attorney) can present your case in person.

In most courts, yes. If the judge rules against your Trial by Written Declaration, Vehicle Code 40902(d) lets you request a Trial de Novo (a new in-person trial) on form TR-220 within 20 calendar days after the court mails its decision. Courts that offer online trial by declaration through MyCitations are the exception: under Government Code 68645.4 there is no Trial de Novo there, even if you filed by mail or in person, and you can appeal instead. For specific procedures, contact your court or consult a licensed attorney.

A continuance is a request to the court for more time to respond to your citation. If your court deadline is approaching and you need additional time to prepare your written declaration, you may be able to request a continuance.

Whether you get one is up to the court, and the process varies by court. Some accept requests online, while others require a phone call or written request to the clerk's office.

Learn more about requesting a continuance →

We recommend mailing your declaration via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Your filing packet includes your court's mailing address and a checklist of everything to include.

Processing times vary by county and court. Most courts process Trial by Written Declaration cases within 30 to 90 days, though some may take longer. The court will mail you a written decision. If you do not hear back within 90 days, consider contacting the court clerk's office for a status update.