Traffic Tickets
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Traffic tickets can be conveniently paid online with a credit card.
School Zones, Construction Zones & Late Penalties
Moving violations that take place in a school zone will double in penal fines. Please call the court and verify the amount of your fine and costs if your ticket was issued in a school zone, construction zone, or if you are late paying your ticket.
Basic Driver Improvement Course
Secretary of State will mail information regarding the Basic Driver Improvement Course if you qualify. If your mailing address is not correct with their office, update it immediately.
SOS Driver Responsibility Program
Driver Responsible fees may be assessed by the Secretary of State’s office upon conviction. These fees are not associated with the District Court fees.
What to Expect
There are thousands of traffic tickets written in Ottawa County every year. These tickets all fall under the responsibility of the District Court. A traffic ticket, called a civil infraction, is issued when a driver violates a provision in the Michigan Vehicle Code or a provision in a local ordinance that substantially corresponds to the Michigan Vehicle Code. An ordinance violation is issued to a person that violates a local ordinance. A local ordinance can be anything from excessive noise coming from a car radio to a violation of a local zoning ordinance.
A person receiving a civil infraction for the violation of the vehicle code or for the violation of a local ordinance can contest the charge in district court. The defendant contesting a violation or civil infraction will appear before a magistrate in an informal hearing or the defendant may request a formal hearing before the district judge. The informal hearing is exactly what it says – an opportunity for the defendant and the enforcement officer to informally present their case to the magistrate.
Not all violations of the vehicle code are considered civil infractions. Many offenses listed in the vehicle code are criminal offenses, for example, drunk driving, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Depending on your violation, you may be required to appear in court. Proper attire is required for appearance in court.
Traffic Fines & Fees
| Infraction | Fines & Costs | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding General | ||
| 1-5 Miles over limit | $105 | 1 |
| 6-10 Miles over limit | $115 | 2 |
| 11-15 Miles over limit | $125 | 3 |
| 16-25 Miles over limit | $135 | 4 |
| 26 miles or over, contact the court for fines & costs information. | 4 | |
| Speeding Interstate | ||
| 1-5 Miles over limit | $105 | 0 |
| 6-10 Miles over limit | $115 | 1 |
| 11-15 Miles over limit | $125 | 2 |
| 16-25 Miles over limit | $135 | 3 |
| 26 miles or over, contact the court for fines & costs information. | 4 | |
| Parking, Licensing, Documentation, Traffic & Other Violations | ||
| Failed to Stop Assured Clear Distance Ahead | $105 | 2 |
| Violation of Basic Speed Law (Crash) | $105 | 2 |
| Careless Driving | $185 | 3 |
| Improper Lane/Unsafe Lane Change | $115 | 2 |
| Drove Left of Center | $135 | 2 |
| Improper Passing | $125 | 3 |
| Wrong Way on One-Way Street | $135 | 2 |
| Improper Turn/Failed to Signal | $125 | 2 |
| Disregard Stop Sign | $125 | 3 |
| Disregard Traffic Signal | $125 | 3 |
| Failed to Yield Right of Way | $125 | 2 |
| Failure to Stop for School Bus | $280 | 3 |
| Handicapped Parking Violation | $175 | 0 |
| Expired Registration Plates | $125 | 0 |
| Seat Belt Violation | $65 | 0 |
| Child Restraint Violation | $100 | 0 |
| Civil Infraction Minor in Possession | $275 | 0 |
| * Registration/Plate violations may differ depending on the law in which it was written under. Commercial vehicle violations may differ. (Fines and costs are subject to change). For any questions, contact the court. | ||
| Other | ||
| DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT | Fine and Costs are $110 unless corrections are made. Refer to the back of your citation. | |
| NO PROOF OF INSURANCE | Fine and Costs are $130 unless you have valid proof, and present it to the court. | |
Obtaining Driving Record / Copy of Driver Responsibility Suspension
To get a copy of your driving record or a copy of a driver responsibility Suspension Order, contact the Department of State Record Lookup Unit at (517) 322-1624 to obtain the necessary form to request records.
The cost for a driver record lookup is $7. Certified records are $8. Completed requests may be faxed to (517) 322-1181. Payments for faxed requests must be charged to a credit card account.
Mail your completed request to:
Michigan Department of State
Record Lookup Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, Michigan 48918-1540
For payment, include a check, money order, or credit card information.