Drivers issued traffic tickets in Alaska are required to resolve the issue in due time in order to avoid further fines and penalties. Depending on the court handling the issue, drivers may be able to provide the due payment via several methods, such as online, in person, by phone or by mail.

Motorists also have the option to hire an AK traffic attorney, instead of admitting their guilt and paying the fine. If you win your plea in such cases, the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will not add any points to your AL driving record. Learn how to either pay a court-ordered fine or dispute the charge in the sections outlined below.

Fighting an Alaska Ticket

Drivers can initiate the process of fighting a traffic ticket in Alaska by submitting a “not guilty” plea and requesting a trial date with the corresponding court prior to the date displayed on the ticket. Note that you can also apply for a new date to fight your citation by submitting the Defendant’s Request to Reschedule Hearing (Form TR-200) before the assigned date.

When preparing their defense, drivers must ensure they practice their testimony, contact any relevant witnesses and collect any applicable evidence. Drivers who choose to go to court will be determined guilty or not guilty. If the judge rules in your favor, your ticket will be dismissed and the DMV will not add points to your AK driving transcript.

Note: In certain circumstances, drivers may even be able to contact the police officer before their trial date to negotiate a ticket dismissal. This is easiest when utilizing an AK traffic court lawyer.

Paying an Alaska Ticket

Drivers who decide to pay driving tickets in Alaska can provide their payment via several methods. State courts generally offer the option to pay online. If you are unable to pay online, you can still provide your payment via alternative methods, such as in person, by mail and by phone.

Note that state drivers who choose to resolve their issues by paying their fines will be required to do so within 45 days of receiving the citation. If you do not provide your official response after the conclusion of this time, the court will enter a default judgment of guilty, and you will be required to pay the maximum fine as well as additional court costs and surcharges.

Lost Tickets in Alaska

Since the information displayed on the Alaska traffic violation ticket eases the process of resolving a traffic citation, drivers who lose their tickets may encounter certain difficulties when paying or disputing in court. Drivers may be able to utilize several options to retrieve the data contained in a lost ticket. For instance, you may be able to obtain details about the citation number, the fine amount and the deadline date via the official website of certain cities.

If this option is available, you may be able to obtain your information by providing your full name and driver’s license number. In the event that you are unable to access your AK traffic violation information online, you can still contact the corresponding county or city court to do so via alternative methods.

Alaska Fines and Penalties

To successfully pay an Alaska traffic fine, drivers will be required to provide a payment in the amount stated on the citation. The base fine varies depending on several factors, such as the area where the driver was cited and the type of offense he or she has committed. The following list, for instance, outlines several types of offenses and their corresponding fines in the municipality of Anchorage:

• Failure to obey a traffic control device: $50
• Unsafe lane change: $75
• Failure to yield to an oncoming vehicle when turning left: $90
• Failure to stop for a parked school bus: $150.

Note that, in addition to the payment, motorists may be required to pay additional court costs and surcharges. Also, late fees may be administered to drivers who have failed to provide their ticket payment on time.

Note: Carefully study your AK driving record or contact the presiding court to obtain information about your citation fine and any other fees and surcharges, specific to your circumstances.

Points in Alaska

Drivers who were convicted of an Alaska traffic violation, and those who fail to respond on time, will incur a certain number of penalty points on their AK driver’s records. The amount of assigned points generally varies based on the type of violation that was committed. More severe offenses result in more penalty points and a higher number of demerit points.

Review several examples and the resulting point penalties in the following list:

• Driving 10 to 19 mph over the posted limit: 4 points
• Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle: 6 points
• Leaving the scene of an accident: 9 points
• DUI/DWI offense: 10 points

Note: Even if drivers are unable to have a traffic ticket dismissed by completing an AK traffic school program, they can still reduce their total point count by enrolling in one. Lowering the number of points through a defensive driving course (DDC) is an option which can be utilized only once within a 12-month period.

How Tickets Affect an Alaska Drivers License

Since traffic tickets in Alaska increase the number of demerit points on your driving record, drivers who incur several violations are facing a driver’s license suspension or revocation for an excess of points. Accruing 12 points within a one-year period or 18 points within a two-year period leads to a mandatory suspension or revocation penalty. Drivers who incur suspensions are also ineligible for a limited driving credential.

Note: Drivers who accrue six points in a 12-month period or nine points in a 24-month period will receive an AK DMV warning letter outlining several corrective measures that are designed to improve their driving behavior.

Alaska Car Insurance Fines and Violations

Another serious Alaska traffic violation is driving without the proper vehicle insurance coverage within the state. Drivers must maintain a minimum coverage of $25,000 for property damages and $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury or death. Law enforcement officials issue citations to drivers who fail to provide the requested evidence of insurance.

If you receive a ticket for failure to provide proof of insurance, but you have valid insurance, you can have your citation dismissed by providing the necessary proof within 15 days of receiving the ticket. In such cases, you will not be required to pay.

Note: Drivers who incur several driving penalties may also inadvertently affect their insurance premiums, as habitual traffic offenders convey dangerous driving habits.

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