How do I handle a federal speeding ticket?

5/25/2016

You are driving through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and you receive a speeding ticket from a Federal Park Ranger - what do you do? While this is not a common occurrence, it does occasionally happen. Citations issued by federal officers can impact your license just as citations issued by state and local police.

The Central Violations Bureau (CVB) is the national center responsible for processing tickets issued and payments received for petty offenses (i.e. speeding ticket) charged on a federal violation notice. Violations that occur on federal property such as federal buildings, national parks, military installations, post offices, Veteran Affairs medical centers, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. The Central Violations Bureau processes violation notices for violations of federal law that occur outside federal property as well. (www.cvb.uscourts.gov.)

How do I pay for the ticket?
All payments must be received on or before the scheduled court date and once you pay your ticket then you do not have to appear in court. You can pay for your ticket online at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/4624405/. You may also make a payment by calling the Central Violations Bureau during normal business hours at (800) 827-2982 or mail a check or money order to:

Central Violations Bureau
P.O. Box 71363
Philadelphia, PA 19176-1363

How will I be notified of my court date (if you want to contest the ticket)?
The Central Violations Bureau will notify you by mail of your scheduled court date. Your Notice to Appear will usually arrive in the mail within 4-8 weeks from the issuance of the ticket. Note that you will be required to appear in federal court not state if you chose to contest the ticket.

How do I check the status of my federal ticket or whether the payment went through?
Call the Central Violations Bureau by call 1-800-827-2982, use option 4 to hear an automated recording with the status of your ticket.

Before you pay off your federal ticket, you may want to contact a traffic lawyer to discuss your options and how this may effect your driving privileges. If you would like to speak with a traffic attorney, contact Adkins Law for a free traffic consultation. Adkins Law has locations in Huntersville and Ballantyne for your convenience.

14 Comments

emily bennette link

8/18/2016 12:16:44 pm

This is some really good information about federal speeding tickets. I had no idea that you need to pay the ticket before your scheduled court date. It seems like it would be a good idea to pay as soon as possible so you don't get fined again.

Mike

10/5/2017 07:15:01 pm

What I am curious about is what if you don't get your notice to appear by mail, you contact the CVB and after 8 weeks they STILL do not have a record of the ticket -- should you just continue contacting the CVB weekly until the Statute of Limitation (1 year) would automatically dismiss the violation?

Since my ticket doesn't have a court date listed, I have not yet paid the fine, and have been contacting the CVB the last 3 weeks for info on the ticket (they have no record). It is now 34 days after the violation.

Bob link

8/19/2019 05:43:40 pm

I love your tip about how processing tickets are done through bureaus. That makes sense considering you want to make sure that you pay the ticket properly. Otherwise, you could go to jail.

Chris Adkins

9/11/2019 10:41:08 am

Thank you Bob. It would be unfortunate to get a federal arrest warrant issued for failure to pay a traffic ticket.

Ellie Davis link

9/11/2019 10:36:23 am

It's interesting to know that all federal speeding ticket payments must be received before the scheduled court date. My brother got a job that require him to travel a lot, and we are looking for advice in case he gets a speeding ticket. I will let him read this article to help him understand how to pay for a federal speeding ticket.

9/11/2019 10:42:31 am

Thanks for the comment Ellie. Just keep in mind this only applies to federal traffic tickets, which are more rare unless you live or work close to a national park or federal property.

Fay link

1/24/2020 11:59:11 am

I loved that this article mentioned that citations given to you by federal officers could even affect your license the same way other citations would. One of my neighbors told me that he is looking for an attorney because he was issued a traffic violation that he wants to fight. I hope that he is able to find the right service and fix this problem as soon as possible.

1/24/2020 12:38:47 pm

Fay, I hope so as well. Thank you for your comment! Sincerely, Chris Adkins

rachel frampton link

4/24/2020 08:42:07 pm

My cousin was given a speed ticket yesterday, that's why she's asking me to help her look for a lawyer that specializes in this type of case. I agree with you that a lawyer will be able to discuss any other possible options. I never knew that the central violations bureau will notify us for the court date if my cousin will push through with contesting the ticket.

4/27/2020 01:31:12 pm

Rachel, Thank you for the comment. Let us know if you ever need any assistance! Sincerely, Chris Adkins

Claire Masters link

1/28/2022 12:50:59 pm

It is such a helpful thing to know that a speeding ticket must be paid before a court hearing and paying everything you owe can actually let you avoid going to the actual hearing. This gives me more clarification on how the court really takes this seriously. That's why it's important to consult a lawyer right away for the best course of action when these unexpected things happen.

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4/28/2022 08:20:55 pm

If you get a ticket in a national park. Do I need to get a lawyer to make sure I don't get any points on my license which will increase my insurance . My husband got a ticket going thru a national park in FL. We live in NC. I am wondering how to handle this with the least amount of fall out.

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How do I handle a federal speeding ticket?

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