Click here to fight your Pennsylvania traffic ticket

When you get a ticket for speeding or another traffic violation in Pennsylvania, you have the option to plead guilty and pay the fine or request a hearing to fight your ticket. If you choose to pay the citation, you will have several payment alternatives. Some courts will also allow you to set up a payment plan. Here’s what you should know. 

How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Pennsylvania

Your Pennsylvania traffic ticket contains the following information: 

• Type of traffic violation
• The amount you need to pay
• The name of the presiding court that is handling your case
• The hearing date by which you must pay the fine.

Read your ticket carefully to be sure that your citation is for a minor violation, otherwise, you may be required to appear in court.

If you don’t have the ticket

To pay the fine, you must have your traffic ticket. If you’ve lost the ticket, consult the Lost Traffic Tickets in Pennsylvania guide on how to retrieve the necessary information. You can also search for your ticket through the WinIt app using violation or license plate numbers. 

Responding to a ticket

Simply paying the citation might seem easier than contesting it in court. However, you should keep in mind that choosing to pay your ticket means that you are admitting guilt. As a consequence, you may: 

• Risk having to pay penalties in addition to the fine
• Face increased auto insurance rates
• Receive points on your driving record. Depending on your circumstances, this could lead to having to take a road exam and even having your license suspended when you accumulate 11 demerit points or more.

Moreover, by pleading guilty, you are automatically waiving the right to challenge your traffic ticket in court. If you plead guilty and request a mitigation hearing, you will get the opportunity to explain the circumstances of the infraction and have your fine reduced. You can also choose to plead not guilty and request a contest hearing.

When do I have to pay the ticket?

Regardless of how you plead, you must respond to your traffic ticket within the deadline indicated on the citation, which is usually 10 days from the infraction date. If you fail to respond to the citation, you could face additional fines and penalties, license suspension, and a bench warrant for your arrest.

What are my payment options?

If you decide to pay your traffic ticket, you will usually be able to do so online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Refer to your ticket for instructions or contact your local court, as the process may vary from county to county. 

Once you make the payment, be sure to check that the information on your driving record is accurate. This will help you avoid any disruptions to your driving privileges.

Online

To pay your Pennsylvania traffic ticket online, go to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania web portal. Most magisterial and municipal courts accept payments for traffic tickets through this portal, although Philadelphia and Pittsburgh require online payments via their own websites.

Before you start, make sure to have your ticket ready. You will be required to provide information such as license plate and citation number. You can pay using a debit or credit card, but expect to be charged a small processing fee. 

An even easier option is to use WinIt’s in-app payment system. Here you can also dispute a ticket by simply uploading your citation and other evidence directly in the app. Once we receive your information, our experts will review the violation and schedule a hearing to contest it.

By phone

If you prefer to pay your Pennsylvania traffic ticket over the phone, call your court at the number indicated on the ticket. You will be asked to provide your citation or case number as well as your name, date of birth, and driver’s license number. You can pay using a debit or credit card.

By mail

If you would like to pay your traffic ticket by mail, make sure to check the “pay” option on the back of your ticket. Indicate your citation number, contact information, sign, and mail the form to the court address indicated on the front of the ticket. You should enclose a check or money order made payable to the district court for the amount listed on the ticket. 

In person

To pay your Pennsylvania traffic ticket in person, visit the court during opening hours. You will be asked to show valid proof of identity and pay in cash, by credit or debit card, a cashier’s check, or money order. Note that personal checks are not accepted. 

Are There Payment Plans Available?

When you receive a traffic ticket, you may find that you can’t afford to pay it right away. If this is the case, you need to check whether your court can set up a payment plan. This will help you avoid late payments and additional fines. 

Some courts allow monthly payment plans for outstanding parking tickets, past-due red light camera violations, as well as past-due speed camera violations. However, not all Pennsylvania courts offer this option. 

How to ask for a payment plan

To ask for a payment plan, call the number indicated on your traffic ticket. Ask the operator whether the court offers payment plans. If this option is not available, tell the operator you want to fight your ticket and set up a court date.

Once you appear before the judge on the court date, explain that you can’t afford to pay the entire sum and are asking for a monthly payment plan. You will have to show proof of your financial situation, such as pay stubs, tax forms, rent, food stamps, ABD, TANF, SSI/SSDI, mortgage bills, and debts. Most judges will accept to arrange a payment plan or at least give you an extension on your traffic ticket.