Tickets, bylaws & traffic court
Last reviewed March 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
Municipal tickets are for breaking city or town bylaws, like littering. Provincial violation tickets are for breaking BC laws, like not wearing a seatbelt or a traffic violation. And federal act tickets are for breaking Canadian laws, like carrying a gun without a licence.
Learn what to do if you receive a ticket, and how to dispute it if you think it was unfair.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Getting Ready for Traffic, Ticket and Bylaw Court
Provincial Court of British Columbia
This guide deals with disputing traffic tickets as well as tickets for offences under the provincial Liquor Control and Licensing Act and the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act. Learn how to prepare your dispute, vary your fine amounts, or reset hearing dates.
Last reviewed December 2024
Traffic Court Hearing
Provincial Court of British Columbia
A guide for traffic court hearings, including how to prepare for your hearing and the steps of the hearing process.
Last reviewed December 2024
If You Get a Traffic Ticket
People’s Law School
Explains your options if you get a traffic ticket. You can pay, fight the ticket, or do nothing. There are time limits to pay or to file your dispute, and if you do nothing you’ll be treated as if you pled guilty. The page explains what you need to know to dispute your ticket. It also answers common questions, and links to help.
Last reviewed March 2024
How to Dispute a Provincial Violation Ticket
Government of British Columbia
This page explains how to dispute a provincial violation ticket. It includes the notice of dispute form in a format that can be filled in and printed.
Last reviewed March 2024
Driver Penalty Point Premium
ICBC
Information for those who have accumulated points on their driving record and received a bill for a driver premium.
Last reviewed March 2024
Your Rights to a Driver’s Licence in BC
People’s Law School
Explains what you need to do to get — and keep — your licence, including if you’re new to BC, and what it takes to lose your driver’s licence. Helps you work out problems, like if you lose your licence and want a review, or if you have to take a driver medical exam.
Last reviewed March 2024
Federal Contravention Violation Tickets
Government of British Columbia
This site is for people who have been given a federal contravention violation ticket. It explains what the options are, how to pay the ticket, and how to dispute the ticket.
Last reviewed August 2024
LSLAP Manual: Motor Vehicle Law
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on motor vehicle law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It provides an overview of licensing requirements and driving offences such as impaired driving, careless driving, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
Last reviewed August 2024