Can't Afford to Pay
Can't Afford to Pay Your Traffic Ticket?
If you are unable to pay your traffic ticket or fine, you have the right to ask the Court to consider your financial circumstances. You may be eligible to have your fines and fees reduced by 50%-80%, or more.
Please be sure to follow all instructions on your ticket and any notices sent to you, including payment deadlines, to avoid late fee penalties.
Visit the When You're in Court page to learn more about appearing in court and resolving your ticket.
There are Three ways you can qualify for a discount based on your income, you can either:
- Indicate you receive public benefits such as Medi-Cal; CalFresh (Food Stamps); CalWORKs or Tribal TANF; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); General Assistance (GA) or County Adult Assistance Program (CAAP); In Home Supportive Services (IHSS); or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
OR
- Show that your income is less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level:
Household Size (2024)
1
2
3
4
Income Equal to or Less Than
$37,650
$51,100
$64,550
$78,000
Review the Federal Poverty Line guidelines to find out if your household income is within these guidelines.
OR
- Describe your financial hardship. If you have another financial hardship that prevents you from paying for your household’s basic needs and the full amount of your traffic ticket, you can describe the hardship as part of the application.
There are FOUR options. Use the table below to find the best one for you.
|
Options |
How to Apply |
|---|---|
|
1. Apply Online Do not use this option if:
This option works well if:
|
You will need your ticket number*, and proof of your income such as your benefits card, pay stubs, or information about your financial hardship. If your online application did not go through, you can still submit a request using a paper form. You will hear a decision from the court in 30 days. *If your case does not contain a Driver’s License or ID number, please call the clerk (415) 551-8540 so you can apply online. |
|
2. Apply In-Person or By Mail Do not use this if:
This option works well if:
|
You can fill out an Ability to Pay paper form and return it in person or by mail to the Traffic Clerk with proof of your financial situation (if available). The Traffic Clerk is available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m.) at 850 Bryant St., Room 145, Window 5. For a link to the form, and more information about how to apply, click here. You will hear a decision from the court in four to six weeks. |
|
3. Apply for a Leniency Request with or without Traffic School Do not use this if:
This option works well if:
|
Apply for a Leniency Request with or without Traffic School Complete the application form at the link above. This option requires a plea of No Contest or Guilty. You will hear a decision from the court in four to six weeks. |
|
4. CONNECT Program Do not use this option if:
This option works well if:
|
You may be able to clear certain citations if you receive 20 hours or more of social services assistance. Learn more about the San Francisco District Attorney's Office CONNECT program. Read the FAQs for this program to see if this option will work for you. If you would like to apply, print out the application form and follow the instructions. |
FAQs
There are several community organizations that can help you complete the application process. They include:
Bay Area Legal Aid
If you are a San Francisco Human Services Agency aid recipient on either CALWORKS, Personal Assisted Employment Services (PAES), or Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) or MEDI-CAL programs, please talk to your case worker about a possible referral to Bay Area Legal Aid for free legal assistance.
Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
Address: 468 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Drop-in Clinics: Wednesdays at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
East Bay Community Law Center
Address: 1950 University Avenue, Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94704
For referrals or to schedule an appointment, call (510) 548-4040
Or drop in during our open hours on Wednesdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Address: 330 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Hours: Mondays and Thursdays 2:00-5:00 pm
GLIDE (ask for the legal clinic at the front desk)
Legal Services for Children (for individuals under the age of 21).
Address: 1254 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Phone: 415-863-3762
Unfortunately, the Ability to Pay options above do not address fix-it tickets.
Yes, you still have the right to ask the Court to consider your financial circumstances as described above. To request a discount, you can use the online or paper application described above. Once your order has been adjusted, you can also arrange for a payment plan with Alliance One for as low as $25 per month. To learn more about the status of your outstanding balance with Alliance One, call 1 (877) 541-8420. Be sure to have these items ready when you call: Name, Driver’s License Number, Citation Number.
If your driver’s license was suspended for failing to pay or failing to appear in the San Francisco Traffic Court, you may be able to get your license back. The court has eliminated all license suspensions for failure to pay and failure to appear. You can now go to the DMV and request to have your license reinstated. You may still have your license suspended for other reasons. To learn more, see the this flyer.