Don’t Respond to a Ticket? Arrest Warrant & License Loss
Here’s the truth: ignoring a traffic ticket doesn’t make it disappear. It makes everything worse.
If you fail to respond to the traffic ticket within 60 days of the issuance, fail to appear for any scheduled trial or fail to pay the fine imposed by the due date set by the court, the court will notify the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driver’s license and/or registration.
And that’s just the beginning. If you never show up in court to handle the ticket or pay the fine, a judge could issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
Bottom line: What starts as a $150 speeding ticket can escalate into thousands in fees, jail time, and a criminal record.
What You Need to Know Right Now
When you receive a traffic ticket, you’re signing a promise to either pay the fine or appear in court. Ignoring that promise triggers an escalating series of consequences that get progressively worse.
If you ignore your traffic ticket then the court will mark it as a failure to appear or failure to respond; commonly known as an FTA.
Most states give you 15-60 days to respond, depending on jurisdiction. After that deadline passes, the consequences start immediately.
What You Came to Know
Your License Gets Suspended
This is usually the first thing that happens.
If you fail to answer your ticket, your license might be suspended as an indication that you failed to pay the ticket. This means you will have to go through administrative hurdles and pay a penalty in order to get it reinstated, and, until you do, you will not be allowed to drive.
Even though the standard practice of DMV is to send out a notice before they suspend, the State of New York is under no legal obligation to keep you updated about the status of your license or traffic tickets.
You might not even know your license is suspended until you get pulled over again.
A Bench Warrant Is Issued for Your Arrest
Once that judge signs your bench warrant, every police officer in the state can arrest you. The warrant doesn’t expire.
You can be arrested anywhere, anytime; it can be at work or at home. No warning is required, as officers can arrest you immediately upon discovering the warrant.
Once you are taken into custody, it’s possible that you might be able to see a judge immediately — but you could also be held in jail for up to 72 hours before you are even entitled to a warrant hearing.
Fines and Fees Multiply
The original ticket fine is just the starting point.
If your ticket is marked FTA then you must pay the fine that appears on the ticket and an additional fifty-two dollars default penalty.
If you responded to the ticket and pled not guilty and were then assigned a court date to fight the charges but failed to show up to traffic court, you will also be required to pay a $70 suspension termination fee (STF) in order to get your privileges reinstated.
A referral to a collection agency and up to an additional $300 civil assessment can also be added, depending on your state.
💡 Pro Tip
Courts track your address from DMV records, not where you actually live. If you moved without updating your address and never received court notices, judges won’t care—you’re still responsible. Update your address with DMV immediately after any move to avoid missing critical court dates.
Default Conviction Goes on Your Record
If you continue to ignore the ticket after your license is suspended, you might be convicted of the charge you were ticketed for. This is called a “default conviction,” according to the New York DMV.
You’re found guilty without ever getting your day in court. The conviction goes on your driving record, affecting insurance rates and potentially future employment.
Insurance Rates Skyrocket
Insurance companies often have policies imposing higher rates for customers with moving violations on their driving records. Your premium could increase significantly, making it more difficult to afford car insurance.
If you continue to ignore your traffic violation, this may lead to points added or suspension of your license. Insurance companies, in turn, may drop your coverage, and it may be difficult to find a new insurance plan.
Driving on a Suspended License Becomes Criminal
If your license is suspended and you are caught driving, it’s a crime, punishable by possible jail time.
What was originally a traffic infraction becomes a criminal misdemeanor with serious penalties.
What You Must Know
Warrants Follow You Everywhere
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency, so your tickets or warrants can easily follow you across state lines.
If you are a licensed driver of another state, be advised that the State of New York has reciprocity with most other states and can notify the state where you are licensed that you have an unresolved ticket. Your state will then proceed to suspend your driver’s license.
Moving to another state doesn’t solve the problem.
Background Checks Reveal Warrants
Other activities that can disclose outstanding tickets or warrants include: employment background checks, airport security screenings, professional license applications, loan applications, and routine traffic stops.
An active warrant can derail job opportunities, travel plans, and professional licensing.
“I Didn’t Know” Isn’t a Defense
Saying you did not know about the ticket or forgot about the citation is not considered a real defense by most judges.
Courts put the responsibility entirely on you to track your tickets and court dates.
What to Do Next
If You Haven’t Responded Yet
Contact the court immediately – Find the court listed on your ticket and ask about your options
Don’t wait for warnings – Courts aren’t required to notify you before suspending your license
Respond within the deadline – Most jurisdictions give 15-60 days from the ticket date
If You’ve Already Missed the Deadline
Check for warrants – Call the court clerk or check online warrant databases (don’t go in person—you risk arrest)
Consult an attorney first – A lawyer can often appear on your behalf and negotiate to recall the warrant
Don’t drive – If your license is suspended, driving makes everything exponentially worse
If You Can’t Afford to Pay
Judges are typically sympathetic when someone takes responsibility by coming into court and explaining his or her financial hardships. Normally options are available for motorists who can’t afford to pay an expensive fine.
Courts may offer:
Payment plans – Spread the fine over several months
Community service – Work off the debt instead of paying
Traffic school – Reduce points or fines by completing a course
Fine reduction – Ask the judge to lower the amount based on hardship
FAQs About Not Responding to Tickets
Q: How long do I have to respond to a traffic ticket?
It varies by jurisdiction. Most states give 15-30 days, some up to 60 days. The deadline is printed on your ticket. Missing it triggers immediate consequences including license suspension and potential bench warrants.
Q: Will I definitely get arrested if I ignore a ticket?
Not immediately. Police won’t hunt you down for a traffic warrant alone, but if you have any contact with law enforcement—a traffic stop, airport security, even a routine ID check—you can be arrested on the spot and held for up to 72 hours.
Q: Can I just pay the ticket years later?
Maybe, but you’ll also pay suspension fees, collection fees, civil assessments, and late penalties that can triple the original fine. The warrant won’t automatically disappear—you’ll likely need a court appearance to resolve it.
Q: What if I moved and never got the court notice?
Courts use your DMV address, not where you actually live. Judges won’t dismiss charges because you didn’t update your address. It’s your responsibility to track tickets and court dates regardless of notices received.
Q: Does a traffic warrant show up on background checks?
Yes. Active warrants appear on employment background checks, professional license applications, and criminal record searches. This can affect job opportunities, housing applications, and professional licensing.
Q: Can I fight the ticket if I already missed my court date?
Usually yes, but you’ll first need to address the warrant and suspension. An attorney can often appear on your behalf to recall the warrant and reopen your case so you can contest the original ticket.
Q: What happens if I’m pulled over with a suspended license?
You’ll likely be arrested on the spot. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal misdemeanor in most states, punishable by jail time, additional fines, and further license suspension.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the consequences of not responding to traffic tickets and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Ticket procedures, response deadlines, warrant processes, and suspension rules vary significantly by state, county, and municipality. AllAboutLawyer.com doesn’t provide legal services or represent clients in traffic court. For specific guidance on your ticket, check your jurisdiction’s court website, contact the court clerk, or consult a qualified traffic attorney.
Find your local traffic court’s procedures and deadlines by visiting your state’s court system website or searching traffic court online.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your situation.
Last Updated: January 28, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former criminal defense attorney with hands-on experience in cases involving DUIs, petty theft, assault, and false accusations. Through All About Lawyer, she now helps readers understand their legal rights, the criminal justice process, and how to protect themselves when facing charges.
Read more about Sarah