Traffic Tickets

If you've gotten a speeding or other traffic ticket, you might face a fine, traffic school, higher insurance premiums, or even the suspension of your driver's license.

Traffic violations are either primary or secondary offenses, and police can stop you only for primary offenses.

What you do and say during a traffic stop can be big.

Find out which states ban cell phone use and texting while driving.

It is illegal to use a handheld cellphone or to text while driving in California.

Answers to questions on driving outside of your state, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and driving when you're over 65.

Find out how your driver license can be suspended, and what you can do to prevent it.

Most states define reckless driving, typically a misdemeanor crime, as willfully operating a vehicle in a manner that shows an indifference to the safety of persons or property. Learn about the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

The laws related to modifying car headlights, taillights, and under-glow.

Learns about some of the options available for dealing with a traffic ticket when you don't have the money to pay the whole thing up front.

Most states are members of interstate agreements to ensure that out-of-state violations are counted on the driver's record and that the driver pays his or her fines.

I got a ticket for running a stop sign but really did come to a complete stop. Can I bring in a witness into traffic court to prove that I actually stopped?

How traffic violation point systems work and how accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension and other consequences.

Generally, minor traffic offenses (like speeding and running a stop sign or red light) are treated differently than more serious violations of the law.

The operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) generally requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Each type of CDL has endorsements and restrictions specific to the CMV operated. A CDL can also be revoked for certain criminal convictions and rule violations.

To operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in the United States, a driver must possess a commercial driver’s license. CMV operators are subject to special driving rules as well as strict penalties for violations.

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are subject to special rules and restrictions while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). However, these rules and restrictions usually don’t apply when a CDL holder is driving a non-commercial, personal vehicle.

In many states, with many tickets, it's possible -- and sometimes even fairly easy -- to challenge the police officer's view of what happened. Learn when it makes sense to question an officers subjective or objective observations, or ask the judge to dismiss your ticket.

There are two kinds of traffic tickets: Ones you can beat in traffic court and ones you can't. The problem is determining which kind you got.

In most states, you don't have the right to a jury trial for minor traffic offenses like speeding, running a red light, and distracted driving. So, if you want to fight a traffic ticket, your guilt will likely be decided by a single judge rather than a jury.

In most states where new trials are allowed, you will have to appear before a judge and plead your case again. Learn more about appeal rules and their consequences.

Speeding tickets are, by far, the most common moving violation. If you want to fight your ticket, here are some things you should know about.

Here are the most successful defenses to fighting a red light violation ticket.

A new twist in defending against red light tickets has occurred in recent years, with the introduction of photographic automated enforcement systems, also known as red light cameras.