Missed Your Traffic Ticket Deadline — What to Do Now

What Happens When You Miss a Traffic Ticket Deadline

When you receive a traffic ticket in California, the citation includes a deadline — sometimes called a "courtesy notice date" or "appear by" date — by which you must respond. In most cases, this deadline is printed on your ticket and falls roughly 60 days after the citation date, though the exact timeframe varies by court. If you do not pay the fine, request a court date, or submit a Trial by Written Declaration by that deadline, the court treats your case as a failure to appear (FTA).

A failure to appear triggers a cascade of consequences under Vehicle Code section 40508. The court adds a civil assessment of up to $300 to your original fine under Penal Code section 1214.1. The court also notifies the DMV, which places a hold on your driving record. This hold can result in the suspension of your driver's license and prevents you from renewing your registration until it is resolved.

Immediate Steps to Take After Missing Your Deadline

If you realize you have missed your traffic ticket deadline, acting quickly can minimize the damage. Even though you have missed the original deadline, courts generally allow you to resolve the matter — you will just face additional fees.

1. Locate your original citation or any courtesy notice you received. If you cannot find them, contact the court directly using the county traffic court phone number.
2. Call or visit the court clerk to check the current status of your case. The clerk can tell you the total amount owed (including any civil assessments) and whether a hold has been placed on your license.
3. Ask the court about your options. In most cases, you can still pay the fine, request a court hearing, or apply for a payment plan.
4. If you cannot afford the total amount, request an ability-to-pay determination under Penal Code section 1214.1. This can reduce your fine, allow installment payments, or substitute community service.
5. After resolving the case with the court, verify with the DMV that any holds on your license have been lifted. The court typically notifies the DMV, but you should confirm.

Can You Still Contest the Ticket After Missing the Deadline?

This is one of the most common questions drivers ask, and unfortunately the answer is usually no — at least not through the standard Trial by Written Declaration (TBWD) process. TBWD must be requested before your appearance deadline. Once the deadline passes and the court processes a default judgment (FTA), the opportunity to contest through TBWD is generally lost.

However, there are limited exceptions. If you can show good cause for missing the deadline — such as a medical emergency, military deployment, or not receiving the citation or courtesy notice — you may petition the court to vacate the FTA and reopen the case. This typically requires filing a motion, sometimes called a "motion to vacate" or "petition for relief from default," and appearing before a judge. There is no guarantee the court will grant your request.

Learn how to request a continuance to extend your traffic ticket deadline. How to Request a Continuance →

How a Missed Deadline Affects Your Fine Amount

The financial impact of missing your deadline can be substantial. California courts impose a civil assessment of up to $300 on top of the original bail amount when you fail to appear. If the case is referred to the Franchise Tax Board or a private collections agency, additional fees apply. A base fine of $238 for a standard speeding ticket can grow to over $700 after civil assessments and collections surcharges.

• Original base fine plus state and county penalty assessments (typically 4-5 times the base fine).
• Civil assessment of up to $300 added by the court for failure to appear.
• Collections fees if the case is referred to the Franchise Tax Board or a private agency.
• DMV reinstatement fee of $55 if your license was suspended.
• Potential increase in auto insurance premiums if the conviction is eventually reported.

How to Clear a License Hold from a Missed Ticket

If the DMV has placed a hold on your license due to an FTA, you must resolve the underlying court case before the hold can be lifted. Simply paying the DMV reinstatement fee is not enough — the court must first report the case as resolved. Once you pay the fine (or set up a payment plan), the court sends an abstract to the DMV clearing the hold. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing.

To speed up the process, ask the court for a receipt or confirmation of payment and bring it to a DMV office in person. Some courts can also fax the clearance directly to the DMV. After the hold is lifted, you will need to pay the $55 reinstatement fee (if applicable) and may need to provide proof of insurance (SR-22) depending on the circumstances of the suspension.

Review the full breakdown of California traffic ticket fines and penalties. California Traffic Ticket Fines in 2026 →