Common Questions
How can I dispute a traffic ticket?Last reviewed in May 2022 by the Clicklaw Editors
It is important to figure out what type of ticket you have been given because the dispute process (the way you challenge the ticket) depends on the type. For minor (less serious) traffic violations there are two types of traffic tickets or charges. Violation tickets are given for offences under provincial laws, and offence notices are given by a municipality (city).
For more serious traffic offences, such as careless driving or hit and run, you will get a written notice of the offence in the form of a summons or an appearance notice that tells you when you have to appear in court. You may want to seek advice from a lawyer for this matter.
It is important to figure out what type of ticket you have been given because the dispute process (the way you challenge the ticket) depends on the type. For minor (less serious) traffic violations there are two types of traffic tickets or charges. Violation tickets are given for offences under provincial laws, and offence notices are given by a municipality (city).
For more serious traffic offences, such as careless driving or hit and run, you will get a written notice of the offence in the form of a summons or an appearance notice that tells you when you have to appear in court. You may want to seek advice from a lawyer for this matter.
Good starting points include:
- Traffic Tickets, from People's Law School, provides an overview of violation tickets and how to deal with them.
- How to Dispute a Provincial Violation Ticket, from the provincial government, explains how to dispute a provincial violation ticket. It provides access to the notice of dispute form in a PDF format that can be filled in and printed. Also see the provincial court's Traffic Court Guide: Guide to Disputing a Ticket.
Need more help?
- Lawyer Referral Service, from Access Pro Bono, offers a free, brief initial consultation with a lawyer to determine your legal needs. If you would like further help from your lawyer, you can retain them at an agreeable rate of charge.
- Find more help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.
See our related common questions:
- See all common questions about cars & getting around
- See all common questions about courts & tribunals
- See all common questions about crimes & offences
- tags
- traffic ticket, disputing a ticket, violation ticket, offence notice, speeding ticket
