Idaho Traffic Tickets and Violations
Let's face it: tickets happen to all of us. As in any state, there are multiple kinds of violations for which drivers can be ticketed in Idaho. Because it's important to understand what you must do after getting a ticket, we've compiled the basics for you.
Types of Violations
Traffic violations can be classified as either moving or non-moving; obviously it depends on whether or not your car was moving at the time you were cited.
Some examples of moving violations include:
- Speeding
- Failure to use turn signals
- Driving without wearing a seat belt.
Breaking Idaho DUI laws (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) is also a major moving violation.
Non-moving violations could be:
- Parking in a handicapped space illegally
- Leaving a vehicle unattended and running
- Driving with an invalid vehicle registration.
Your Options When You Get a Traffic Ticket
When you receive an Idaho traffic ticket, you can either plead guilty and pay the accompanying fine, or plead not guilty and contest the ticket in court. The option you choose is up to you, but you must take some form of action before the deadline on your ticket, or you could face other consequences.
Paying Your Idaho Ticket
If you decide to pay your Idaho traffic ticket, there is a deadline by which you must send in your payment. There are multiple options for the method of payment, depending on where you were cited. You can pay:
- In person
- Online (check with your court to find out if they allow you to pay online)
- By mail
- By phone
- Via a drop box
Fighting Your Idaho Ticket
If you choose to fight your Idaho traffic ticket, you will need to notify your court. The court where you will plead is listed on your citation. You may want to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney, depending on how serious the charges are against you. Once you've notified the court, you'll need to follow a few steps.
- Get ready for your hearing: Whether you've hired an attorney or are fighting your ticket on your own, you will need to prepare for your hearing. Gather evidence, contact witnesses if applicable, and practice what you're going to say.
- Plead your case: On your hearing date, you will plead your case to the judge in court. The judge will then make a decision on whether or not you are guilty of the violation.
If you are found guilty, there will be consequences. Generally points will be added to your driving record (the number of points depends on the severity of the violation) on top of the Idaho traffic violation fines you must pay. This could end up raising your car insurance rate. And if you accumulate too many points within a given period, you could even end up with a suspended Idaho driver's license. You may be eligible for a point reduction with I Drive Safely's Idaho traffic school; check with your court to find out.
If you are not found guilty, you will not have to deal with points or other penalties. However, whether you end up being found guilty or not guilty, you should check your driving record. It's important that you ensure there are no mistakes. Even a simple Idaho speeding ticket has penalties, and you don't want to have anything on your driving record that is inaccurate.
Dealing with traffic tickets and violations can be a pain, but it's important that you handle each and every one; you don't want to end up with something worse, like a suspended drivers license! So follow these steps and you should be in the clear.
