Overview

• There is no national ticket database in the U.S., so drivers must use the issuing state DMV or local court portal, with federal citations handled by the Central Violations Bureau.
• Drivers can pay, plead not guilty to request a hearing, fix correctable defects, or seek traffic school, payment plans or community service, depending on eligibility.
• Ignoring fines can trigger added fees, license suspension, and in cases of missed court citations, possible arrest warrants.
• Typical premium increases cited include about 22% for speeding, 23% for phone use while driving, and up to roughly 160% for DUI, with state-by-state variation.
• Local penalties vary widely, with Phoenix listing speeding at roughly $100–$500 and up to $2,000 for school-bus violations, while Argentina’s UF-indexed schedules in August 2025 put extreme speeding fines above ARS 1,000,000, including higher brackets in CABA.