Frequently Asked Questions

For general information on your SOT, instructions on how to file a Notice of Intent, and information on payments, please refer to the menu at the left.

  1. What happens if I don’t pay my fine and don’t go to court?
  2. What happens if I have been convicted and don’t pay my fine?
  3. What do I do if someone else got the ticket and used my identity?
  4. I want to pay my ticket and send a letter giving an explanation.What effect will that letter have?
  5. I have received a ticket under the Motor Vehicle Act. How can I find out how many points I will be assigned if I plead guilty or am found guilty?
  6. I can’t afford to pay the fine on my summary offence ticket. Can I work it off?
  7. I have pleaded not guilty and have received a trial date from the court. Now something has happened and I need a new trial date. What can I do?
  8. What if I have missed my due date and still wish to contest the ticket?

 

 

1. What happens if I don’t pay my fine and don’t go to court?

In most instances, you will have been convicted in your absence and you will receive a notice of conviction by mail showing the fine you must pay, default time, and a date on which the fine must be paid.

 

2. What happens if I have been convicted and don’t pay my fine?

Your fine may be sent to another government department for collection. If you were convicted of any motor vehicle related offence, the Registry of Motor Vehicles may refuse to renew your driver’s license or vehicle permit, or to provide you with any other service, until the fine is paid. Also, they will charge you an additional fee to regain that privilege.

 

3. What do I do if someone else got the ticket and used my identity?

You should speak to a lawyer about this.You can attend court and explain it wasn’t you, plead not guilty, and prepare for a trial. If you find out about it after a conviction has been entered in your absence and you have received a notice of conviction, you can apply to the court to have the conviction set aside. A trial date may then be given to you.

 

4. I want to pay my ticket and send a letter giving an explanation.What effect will that letter have?

None. Paying the fine is an admission of guilt to the offence that was charged on the ticket. The judge will not see your letter. It will not be kept in a file. If you do not wish to be found guilty of the offence charged on your summary offence ticket, you should plead not guilty and go to trial.

 

5. I have received a ticket under the Motor Vehicle Act. How can I find out how many points I will be assigned if I plead guilty or am found guilty?

Contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Their general inquiries phone number can be found in the blue pages of your telephone book, or visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles web site.

 

6. I can’t afford to pay the fine on my summary offence ticket. Can I work it off?

A Fine Option Program (FOP) is available for some summary offences. Contact the Fine Option Program coordinator and ask if you are eligible to participate in that program. Note that offences under the Motor Vehicle Act are not eligible for this program. The Halifax telephone number is 424-8297. The Nova Scotia toll free number is 1-866-443–6995.

 

7. I have pleaded not guilty and have received a trial date from the court. Now something has happened and I need a new trial date. What can I do?

The judge may grant adjournments for valid reasons, particularly when you apply for such an adjournment well before the trial date. Call your local provincial court administration office at the address on the ticket and explain your situation.

 

8. What if I have missed my due date and still wish to contest the ticket?

Within 60 days of your conviction date, you may visit the court of jurisdiction's administrative office and ask that your conviction be struck. A Justice of the Peace will strike your conviction, provide you with a certificate, and a trial date at which you can now appear to contest the ticket.

Beyond 60 days of your conviction date, you may also visit the administrative office and request a hearing before a Provincial Court Judge with regard to your ticket, but in this case, an application fee will apply.