Traffic Violations FAQ

Will my license be suspended if my fine does not get paid on time?

If a fine is not paid within the time allowed, your license or right to operate in Maine will be suspended. Once suspended, you must pay the Violations Bureau the fine for each offense and a late fee of $25 for each offense. In addition, you must then pay the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a reinstatement fee for each offense that resulted in a suspension.

How do I get my license reinstated?

If your license is suspended for failing to pay a fine, you must pay the Violations Bureau the fine for each offense and a late fee of $25 for each offense. In addition, you must then pay the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a reinstatement fee for each offense that resulted in a suspension. Please contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at (207) 624-9000 (ext 52100) for confirmation that your license has been restored.

Where can I pay my reinstatement fees?

Reinstatement fees are paid to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Augusta or to one of their branch offices. You can visit their website at http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv to find the locations of their branch offices.

Do you go by the postmark date?

No, you must allow plenty of time for mailing as we go by the date we receive your correspondence.

Can I pay my ticket by credit card?

• You can pay by credit card by visiting the web at www.paytixx.com or call toll-free 1-888-PAY-TIXX (1-866-729-8499).
• You may pay your fine by credit card in person at our public window. The window is open and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m Monday through Friday. It is located at the Violations Bureau at 85 Park Street in Lewiston.

What if my bank has notified me that my check has bounced?

You will be sent a letter at your last known address, which you have provided, giving you 30 days to pay the original check amount plus a $20.00 bounced check fee. Payment must be in the form of a money order, bank check or certified check. Personal checks will not be accepted. You must send your payment to the Violations Bureau, PO Box 480, Lewiston, ME 04243-0480.

Can I pay my ticket on the Web or by telephone if it is contested?

The Violations Bureau must receive a written change of answer from you in order for you to be able to pay by credit card on the Web or by telephone.

What address do you use to send me information?

When you contest a traffic infraction, or when you send in payment for a traffic infraction, you will include your current address. The address you include will be the address used for correspondence from the Violations Bureau.

You have a duty to provide the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with your address, if it changes, within 10 days of the change. The Violations Bureau will not send your address information to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or for more information please see 29-A M.R.S.A. § 1407

What if I want a hearing on a violation, but want to pay other violations?

You have 20 calendar days to file a written answer to your ticket with the Violations Bureau. Your ticket may have up to 3 violations. On the back of your ticket, mark the appropriate CONTESTED boxes 1, 2, and/or 3 for each violation on the front of your ticket on which you want a hearing. Then, mark the appropriate NOT CONTESTED boxes 1, 2, and/or 3 for each violation on the front of your ticket you wish to pay. You must sign, date and fill in your current mailing address in the spaces provided. The address you provide will be the one used by the Violations Bureau. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will not have this address and will be relying on the address you have provided to them in the past. Mail the answer to the Violations Bureau, P O Box 480, Lewiston, ME 04243-0480. Enclose payment for only the violations you wish to pay.

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If I contest my ticket, do I have to appear in court in person?

Yes, you must appear in person or hire an attorney (licensed to practice in Maine and paid for at your own expense) to appear for you.

Will there be a fee charged to contest my ticket?

No, there is no fee charged to contest a ticket.

Where do I appear for my hearing?

You will be scheduled to appear at a Maine District Court based on the location of the town where your ticket was issued.

What if I cannot attend the scheduled hearing?

You must file a written request for a different hearing date. This is called a motion to continue and it must be filed with the Court in which you are scheduled to appear. You must include your hearing date, time and ticket number (known as the Bureau Identification Number) on any paperwork you file. A copy must also be sent to District Attorney's office.

The motion must be filed with the Court at least 7 days before your scheduled hearing date. You must call the Court before your hearing to see if the Judge granted or denied your motion. If you no longer wish to contest your ticket, sign your change of answer form and send your full payment by check or money order payable in US FUNDS to the Violations Bureau, PO Box 480, Lewiston, ME 04243-0480.

My case was continued, how and when will I be notified of the new hearing?

Approximately 3 weeks before your new hearing, the new hearing date will be mailed to the last known address you have provided.

What if my motion to continue is denied by the Judge?

If your motion to continue is denied, you must appear on the scheduled date. If you do not appear, you will be defaulted and your fine must be paid to the Violations Bureau within 30 days of your scheduled hearing date.

Do you have telephonic hearings?

There are no telephonic hearings. All contested tickets require that you appear in person or hire an attorney (licensed to practice in Maine and paid for at your own expense) to appear for you. Appearance in person or by counsel is required under [29-A M.R.S.A. §2608] (http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2608.html).

How do I fill out the back of my ticket if I want a hearing?

You have 20 calendar days to file a written answer to your ticket with the Violations Bureau. Your ticket may have up to 3 violations. On the back of your ticket, mark the appropriate CONTESTED boxes 1, 2 and/or 3 for each violation on the front of your ticket. You MUST sign, date and fill in your current mailing address in the spaces provided. The address you provide will be the one used by the Violations Bureau. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will not have this address and will be relying on the address you have provided to them in the past. Mail the answer to the Violations Bureau, PO Box 480, Lewiston, Maine 04243-0480. Send no payment at this time.

If I live out of state or country, can I send a letter explaining my case to a Judge?

No. Under the Maine Rules of Civil Procedures and the Maine Revised Statute Annotated, you are required to appear in person or have an attorney licensed to practice in Maine appear for you at your own expense.

Can I pay my ticket on the Web or by telephone if it is contested?

The Violations Bureau must receive a written change of answer from you in order for you to be able to pay by credit card on the Web or by telephone.

How can I change my plea if I no longer want to contest the violation?

If you have already received a Notice of Trial, you can sign the bottom of your notice and mail it to the Violations Bureau, P O Box 480, Lewiston, Me 04243-0480. If you need further assistance, please contact the Violations Bureau at 207-783- 5422, Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

• If you have not received a Notice of Trial, you may fill out the back of your extra copy of the ticket with your change of answer.
• If you do not have the extra copy, you may write a short letter to the Violations Bureau stating you no longer want to contest your violation. Please include your ticket number or Bureau Identification Number on any paperwork you file. Our mailing address is Violations Bureau, P O Box 480, Lewiston, ME 04243-0480. If you need further assistance, please contact the Violations Bureau at 207-783-5422, Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M..

When can I speak with the District Attorney?

The availability of the District Attorneys will vary by court. The District Attorneys will each have their own policy for the handling of infraction days. In most areas, you can speak with the District Attorney on the day of your scheduled hearing.

After I have contested my ticket, how long does it take to get a hearing date?

If you are contesting a ticket, it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to be scheduled for a hearing, and in some cases it may take longer.

How will I be notified of my hearing date?

Approximately 3 weeks before your hearing date, a hearing notice will be mailed to the last known address, which you have provided to the Violations Bureau. If your address changes, you must notify the Violations Bureau of the change immediately.

What if I miss my hearing?

• If you do not appear in court on the date and time scheduled, a default judgment will be entered against you. Your entire fine amount is due to the Violations Bureau within 30 days of your court date.
• If there is a default judgment against you, you can file a request to reopen your case. This request must be in writing and state both the reason why you did not appear at your scheduled hearing date and why you believe you would win the case if the case was reopened. The request has to be filed with the Violations Bureau, and it must be accompanied by a fee of $25.00 for each violation you wish to reopen. The request will be given to a Judge to review. If the request is granted, the case will be set for a hearing, and if it is denied, the judgment stands and the fine remains due. The $25.00 filing fee is not refundable and is not applied to the fine.

If I want to contest my ticket but I am beyond the 20 days, can I still have a court date?

If a default judgment has been entered against you, you can file a request to reopen your case. This request must be in writing and must state your reason for not answering your ticket within the 20 days. You must also state both why the default should be stricken and the reason why you feel you would win the case if it was reopened. The request has to be filed with the Violations Bureau, and it must be accompanied by a fee of $25.00 for each violation you wish to reopen. The request will be given to a Judge to review. If the request is granted, the case will be set for a hearing. If the request is denied, the judgment stands and fine remains due. The $25.00 filing fee is not refundable and is not applied to the fine.

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Who do I make my check/money order payable to?

Your check or money order must be made payable in US FUNDS to the Violations Bureau. Please put your ticket number (also known as the Bureau Identification Number) on your payment. The mailing address for the Violations Bureau is: P O BOX 480, Lewiston, ME 04243-0480.

How can I pay my ticket?

• You may pay by credit card on the web @ http://www.paytixx.com or call toll-free 1-866-PAY-TIXX (1-866-729-8499). *You may send a check or money order payable in US Funds using the self-addressed envelope provided with your traffic ticket. If you did not receive an envelope, or lost it, the address is: Violations Bureau, PO Box 480, Lewiston Me 04243-0480.
• You may pay your fine in person at our public window. The window is open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located at the Violations Bureau at 85 Park Street in Lewiston.

How do I fill out the back of my ticket if I want to pay my fine?

You have 20 calendar days to file a written answer to your ticket with the Violations Bureau. Your ticket may have up to 3 violations. On the back of your ticket, mark the appropriate NOT CONTESTED boxes 1, 2 and/or 3 for each violation on the front of your ticket. You MUST sign, date, and fill in your current mailing address in the spaces provided. The address you provide will be the one used by the Violations Bureau. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will not have this address and will be relying on the address you have provided to them in the past. Mail your payment to the Violations Bureau, PO Box 480, Lewiston, Maine 04243-0480.

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Adjudicated

The case against you has been decided by the court and you were found to have committed the violation.

Admitted

You did not contest or disagree with the violation and you have been found to have committed the violation.

Contested

You disagree with the violation and you want a court hearing or trial.

Defaulted

You either failed to answer the violation timely or you failed to appear in court on your court date. In either case, you have been found to have committed the violation.

Dismissed

The case against you is no longer pending.

Vindicated

The case against you has been decided by the court and you were found not to have committed the violation.

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