A single traffic ticket can increase your insurance rates and stain your driving record. Fortunately, there are legal ways to remove or reduce a violation — especially if it’s a first-time offense.
Options to Clean Your Record:
- Traffic School / Defensive Driving Course
- Available in most states
- Keeps points off your record
- Must be completed by deadline
- You pay the ticket + course fee
- Ticket Dismissal (If You Qualify):
- Minor paperwork or first offense
- Some courts allow dismissal with compliance (e.g., fix a broken light)
- Appeal / Contest in Court:
- Plead not guilty and request a hearing
- If officer doesn’t appear, case may be dismissed
- Evidence like dashcam footage can help
- Record Expungement:
- Available in limited cases
- May require a lawyer
- Time must pass with no new violations
Tip: Act quickly. You usually only have a short window to contest or take a driving course.