What are Connecticut Traffic Tickets?

Connecticut traffic tickets refer to documents issued to road users apprehended while infringing on the state’s traffic rules. Both civil and criminal traffic violations may attract traffic tickets in the state. Civil traffic violations are infractions that can usually be resolved by civil fine payments or by electing to attend driver improvement courses. Such infractions can include some moving violations, non-moving violations, and pedestrian violations (jaywalking). On the other hand, criminal traffic violations such as DUI usually require a mandatory court appearance. In Connecticut, traffic tickets are issued by law enforcement agencies. These complaint tickets usually feature identifying information of traffic violators and their vehicles as well as penalties (where applicable). Connecticut Superior Courts are responsible for penalizing and convicting ticketed individuals while the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles accesses and designates points to their driver records.

Traffic-related records that are considered public may also be accessible from some third-party websites. These sites simplify the record retrieval process by collating records from various judicial districts, assembling them on one database and allowing users to search for specific or multiple records. To use third-party search engines, interested parties are expected to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides or was accused in.

Since third-party sites are operated independent of government sources and not sponsored by these agencies, record availability, accuracy and validity is not guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean in Connecticut?

In many states in the US, a traffic citation is an official summon, typically requiring a motorist’s appearance in court. In Connecticut, there is no particularly significant difference between a traffic citation and a traffic ticket. While the two words can be used interchangeably to refer to legal notices written up by law enforcement agencies, Connecticut formally uses the term ‘complaint ticket’ during its legal traffic processes.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Connecticut?

The Superior Courts in Connecticut maintain a Centralized Infractions Bureau where traffic violators may pay their tickets. The Bureau accepts payment online or by mail. Clearing a Connecticut traffic complaint ticket by mail typically requires preparation of a check or money order of adequate payment payable to the “Clerk of the Superior Court”. The fee may then be sent along with the ticket or Failure to Respond Notice and a self-addressed envelope provided with the ticket to:

Centralized Infractions Bureau
P.O. Box 5044
Hartford, CT 06102–5044

Note that cash payments by mail may not be accepted by the Centralized Infractions Bureau. Payment plans may also not be available.

Paying traffic tickets in Connecticut may be considered a plea of no contest (Nolo Contendere). Although a no-contest plea attracts similar legal effects as a guilty plea, it means that a ticketed individual does not admit or deny the charges. As such, offenders who can prove their innocence are often advised to challenge the traffic ticket.

Can You Pay Connecticut Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, it is possible to pay Connecticut traffic tickets over the internet. The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides a unified online portal for these payments. Nevertheless, interested parties should note that installment payments are typically not processed online.

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Connecticut?

To pay a traffic ticket electronically, interested parties are usually required to visit the Centralized Infractions Bureau Webpage hosted by the Connecticut Judicial Branch. Users are expected to provide their ticket numbers or first three letters of their last names to facilitate a search. The ticket number can be found at the upper left corner of the complaint ticket. The appropriate fees and surcharges to be paid may be accessed by consulting the Infraction Booklet. This fee schedule is derived from the guidelines dictated by the Connecticut General Statutes. Note that online payments for Connecticut traffic tickets should be made using credit cards.

What is the Connecticut Traffic Ticketing System

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles accesses and imposes points on the driving records of certain traffic offenders. Typically, those that paid their infraction tickets receive no points in the state. However, the Commissioner for the DMV is tasked by law to assess at least one point against the drivers’ licenses of those that infringed Section 14–296aa of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Traffic crimes such as speeding, failure to obey a stop sign, improper operation on a divided highway, failure to give proper signals receive one point as dictated by Section 14 of the Traffic Code. Two points are assessed to road operators guilty of impeding traffic, disobeying law enforcement, failing to obey signals at a railroad crossing, failing to obey traffic control signal light, and others. Those caught driving while impaired, passing on the right, passing in a no-passing zone, and failing to grant the right of way to emergency vehicles and pedestrians get 3 points on their driving records. 4 points are calculated for intent to harass another vehicle, failure to drive with a reasonable distance apart, and passing a stopped school bus. The highest point imposed at a time by the DMV is 5 points, which is for negligent vehicular homicide and operating a school bus at excessive speed.

Drivers that acquire 10 or more points over a period of two years automatically get a 30-day suspension. The suspension lasts for up to 2 years if the driver accumulates another 10 points within 5 years.

How Do I Know If I Have a Traffic Ticket in Connecticut?

Interested persons can find out whether they have an outstanding traffic ticket by querying the Connecticut DMV’s office in person or by mail.

For in-person queries, download and complete the driving history Copy Records Request Form (Form J–23). Take the completed form along with valid picture identification and a fee of $20 to any local Connecticut DMV office.

To send a mail request, enclose the form in an envelope, along with a valid government ID, and a check or money order payable to the DMV to the following address:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Copy Records Unit
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

Note: While in-person requests are processed same-day, mail requests take up to 3 weeks.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Connecticut?

Connecticut road offenders that have misplaced their tickets may contact the Centralized Infractions Bureau at (860) 263–2750 from Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Alternatively, querying parties may send their name and date of birth to the CIB at Centralized.InfractionsBureau@jud.ct.gov.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Connecticut?

According to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, the length of time a ticket remains on a motorist’s record typically varies with the severity of the offense. While most traffic violations and infractions are retained for a period of 3 years, some serious moving offenses may stay for up to 10 years.

Is a Summon Worse Than a Ticket in Connecticut?

Yes, a court summons is worse than a ticket in Connecticut. Generally, tickets are payable and do not require a mandatory court appearance. This may not be true for summons issued to those apprehended or written up for more serious traffic crimes. On receiving a summon, the offender is expected to appear in court on the prescribed date.