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Traffic Options

Options available by contacting the court 

​It may be possible to receive a fine reduction through the court. 
The violations bureau/traffic clerk at the circuit court named on your citation may be able to reduce your fine if you qualify for a reduction and plead No Contest. The maximum reduction for eligible violations is the same whether you request it online through ePay/eCVB  (plead No Contest without explanation) or in person (plead No Cont​est or Guilty with or without an explanation). 

You may be offered a fine reduction if:
  • The citation is for an eligible state traffic or state parking violation. 
    • Please review the Chief Justice Order for more information about eligibility, keeping in mind that crimes, such as DUII, are not eligible for online payment or reduction.
  • There is an Oregon driver’s license number listed on your citation.
  • Your driving record reflects two or fewer convictions in the last three years.
If you try the ePay/eCVB system and are not offered an online reduction, you may still be eligible for a fine reduction by contacting the court listed on your citation. If you fall into one of the categories listed below, you may contact the court before the “appear by” date listed on your citation to see if you are eligible for a fine reduction.
  • The citation is for a local parking or traffic citation. Here is additional information about parking citations issued by the City of Portland.
  • You do not have a current Oregon driver’s license.
  • The citation contains at least one charge that is not eligible for reduction. Examples include speeding over 100 miles per hour, careless driving, and wildlife violations. 
  • The citation is issued to a corporation, not an individual. 
  • You have pleaded Not Guilty and asked for a trial or have resolved some, but not all, of the charges listed on your citation.
  • Your citation is issued in Tillamook, Union, or Wallowa county.
  • Your driving record is not reported by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you choose a trial (see below), understand that the judge does not have the ability to reduce your fine more than 50 percent (the same fee reduction schedule as the court’s violations bureau and ePay/eCVB) and, depending on the facts of your case, the judge could impose up to the maximum fine for the violation, which may be higher than the amount on your original ticket (the presumptive fine). Only a trial verdict of not guilty or a dismissal of the violation by a judge will keep the violation off your driving record.​​


If you would like to submit a letter to the court to explain the circumstances of the violation, you must do the following:

  • Send or take your citation and the full amount of the fine to the court noted on your citation before the day and time the citation requires you to appear at the court.
  • Attach a written statement explaining the circumstances of the violation(s) charged.
  • If you have questions about your options for dealing with your violation, contact the court noted on your citation or on the Oregon Judicial Department’s Find a Court​ page. Many circuit courts have specific links and contacts for traffic/violations information, or you can call the court’s main number.
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​If you wish to enter a not guilty plea and request a trial, you must do one of the following:
  • Go to the court on or before the day and time written on the front of the citation to enter a plea of not guilty and request a trial.
  • Submit a written request for a trial before the day and time written on the front of the citation.  
  • Contact the court to determine if you qualify for trial by affidavit (this requires written statements from you and the officer who cited you, using a specific affidavit form available from the court).
  • If you have questions about your options for dealing with your violation, contact the court noted on your citation. You can find court contact information on your citation or here. Many circuit courts have specific links and contacts for traffic/violations information, or you can call the court’s main number.
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 Want to try the online system first?

Use the online ePay/ECVB system to see if you qualify for a fine reduction by pleading No Contest.