Tickets, bylaws & traffic court
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
Traffic, Ticket, and Bylaw Cases
This section of the BC Provincial Court website has information and guides for dealing with provincial violation tickets, federal contravention tickets, and municipal tickets.
What Can I Expect at a Traffic Court Hearing?
An article about preparing for a traffic court hearing — how it’s likely to work, with tips on how to conduct your case in court.
If You Get a Traffic Ticket
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.
How to Dispute a Provincial Violation Ticket
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.
Guide to Disputing a Ticket
This guide deals with provincial violation tickets — for offences under BC laws, including traffic offences under the Motor Vehicle Act and regulations, and offences under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.
Driver Penalty Point Premium
Information for those who have accumulated points on their driving record and received a bill for a driver premium.
Your Rights to a Driver’s Licence in BC
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.
Federal Contravention Violation Ticket
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.