By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 20, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
California has no single statewide traffic ticket search. Every ticket is handled by the superior court of the county where it was written, and each of the 58 county courts has its own online system. The good news: most let you search by citation number or driver’s license number, and the same system lets you request traffic school. Here’s how to find yours.
Quick answer
- Where: the superior court for the county on your ticket (search “[county] superior court traffic”).
- Search by: citation number, or driver’s license number and date of birth, depending on the court.
- Timing: allow 2–3 weeks after the stop; the court mails a courtesy notice with your due date.
- Los Angeles: the LA Superior Court’s traffic online services. LA guide.
- Before you pay: check whether you’re eligible for traffic school.
Largest county courts
| County | Court website |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | lacourt.org (Traffic) |
| San Diego | sdcourt.ca.gov |
| Orange | occourts.org |
| Riverside | riverside.courts.ca.gov |
| San Bernardino | sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov |
| Santa Clara | scscourt.org |
| Alameda | alameda.courts.ca.gov |
| Sacramento | saccourt.ca.gov |
| Contra Costa | contracosta.courts.ca.gov |
| Fresno | fresno.courts.ca.gov |
No courtesy notice?
You’re still responsible for the ticket by the date on it. If nothing has arrived after about three weeks, search the county court’s site by license number, or call the traffic clerk. Not acting can lead to a failure-to-appear charge, an added civil assessment, and a hold on your license.
What your DMV record shows
Your California DMV driver record (available online) shows convictions and points the courts have reported, not pending tickets. Use it to check your point count before deciding whether traffic school is worth it. California points explained.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I look up a California ticket by license number?
Most county superior courts allow it, often with your date of birth.
How long until a ticket shows up online in California?
Typically 2–3 weeks after the citation is issued.
Are camera tickets in the court system?
Yes. California red-light camera tickets are filed with the county court like other citations, and carry a point. Parking tickets go to the city or agency that issued them.
Sources: California superior court traffic pages; California DMV. This site is not affiliated with any court.