Nova Scotia Summary Offence Tickets

None of the information offered on this site, or provided by court staff, is intended to take the place of legal advice. Court staff cannot give legal advice. You should speak to a lawyer for legal advice about your particular situation.

A summary offence ticket is a document that tells you with what offence you have been charged.The ticket provides a report and police record of information relating to the alleged offence. The fine for the offence (including the court cost and the victim surcharge) is shown on the ticket.

Once you have received a ticket, you have three options: to plead guilty, to plead not guilty, or do nothing and be automatically convicted .

You may also file a Notice of Intention if you want to plead guilty, but wish to make a submission to the court with regard to penalty.

Paying Your Fine

You have a number of options if you wish to pay your fine. Paying your fine is equivalent to pleading guilty, and once your payment is received, no further action will be taken on your ticket. Note that your payment must be received by the date indicated on the ticket (see a sample ticket). When you pay your ticket, you are waiving your right to a hearing.

Your automatic conviction may result in points being assigned under the Motor Vehicle Act, or where applicable, changes to your status as a licensed driver. For more information see the Registry of Motor Vehicles web site.

Note that if you have been charged with speeding and are using the voluntary payment option, your license will be suspended for seven (7) days (except under section 106A(a) of the MVA where there is no license suspension) commencing at 12:00 NOON 90 Days after the date this ticket was issued.

How to Pay Your Ticket

Online - You can pay your online ticket here -

By Mail - You can submit your payment (the amount of which is located on the front of your ticket, see sample ticket ) by cheque made out to the "The Provincial Court". Mail payment options are currently by personal cheque or money order only, and you should never send cash by mail. To submit payment by mail sign the back of your ticket and send it with your cheque or money order.

In Person - Payment is accepted at any courthouse and payment can be made by cash, cheque, money order, debit, MasterCard or Visa. Please bring your ticket with you so we can best apply your payment to the right account.

Further Information