Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Minnesota
How to pay, contest or reduce a traffic ticket in Minnesota, and what happens if you ignore it.
Short answer: Paying the fine on a payable citation is a guilty plea, and certain offenses are then reported to the DPS driving record. Hennepin County District Court, Violations Bureau & Hearing Office
| Paying or fighting a ticket | Paying the fine on a payable citation is a guilty plea, and certain offenses are then reported to the DPS driving record. A driver who believes they are not guilty can meet with a court Hearing Officer (by video or walk-in in Hennepin County) and, if the case does not settle, ask for a court hearing. A person has 30 days to respond to a citation from the date it is entered in the court's system; after that, fees are added, and for a petty misdemeanor the right to a court hearing is waived if the person does not appear within 30 days (Minn. Stat. § 169.91). An unpaid citation may lead to license suspension or collections. Procedures are described on the Hennepin County page; other counties may differ. |
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| Traffic school | No statewide traffic school that removes points was found. In Hennepin County, a Hearing Officer may offer options such as a continuance for dismissal with payment of prosecution costs, community work service, or a driving class to pay off a fine, depending on the case and violation history. This describes one county's practice; options vary by county. |
| License suspension | DVS may suspend a license for repeated traffic violations, a violation contributing to a serious crash, failing to appear in court or pay a fine on a motor vehicle violation, a misdemeanor traffic conviction, unpaid child support, and (for drivers under 21) driving after consuming alcohol, among other reasons. A license is revoked for failing or refusing an alcohol test. Driving without insurance brings a 30–365 day revocation upon conviction. |
Where to get help in Minnesota
More Minnesota traffic tickets & dui
- Reinstating a Driver's License in Minnesota
- DUI Laws in Minnesota
- How Driver Points Work in Minnesota
- All Minnesota traffic tickets & dui rules
FAQ
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Minnesota?
Paying the fine on a payable citation is a guilty plea, and certain offenses are then reported to the DPS driving record. A driver who believes they are not guilty can meet with a court Hearing Officer (by video or walk-in in Hennepin County) and, if the case does not settle, ask for a court hearing. A person has 30 days to respond to a citation from the date it is entered in the court's system; after that, fees are added, and for a petty misdemeanor the right to a court hearing is waived if the person does not appear within 30 days (Minn. Stat. § 169.91). An unpaid citation may lead to license suspension or collections.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Minnesota?
No statewide traffic school that removes points was found. In Hennepin County, a Hearing Officer may offer options such as a continuance for dismissal with payment of prosecution costs, community work service, or a driving class to pay off a fine, depending on the case and violation history.
What gets your license suspended in Minnesota?
DVS may suspend a license for repeated traffic violations, a violation contributing to a serious crash, failing to appear in court or pay a fine on a motor vehicle violation, a misdemeanor traffic conviction, unpaid child support, and (for drivers under 21) driving after consuming alcohol, among other reasons. A license is revoked for failing or refusing an alcohol test. Driving without insurance brings a 30–365 day revocation upon conviction.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.