Photo Radar FAQs
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When a violation occurs, who receives the citation and how is it issued?
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Where do you get my address?
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What happens if I moved and/or did not receive the citation?
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What if I receive a citation for a vehicle I previously sold?
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The license plates on my vehicle were stolen, what do I do?
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What if I was driving a rental car, fleet vehicle, or someone else's vehicle?
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Will I receive any points on my driving record for this violation?
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How will the photo enforcement citation affect my insurance?
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Can I go to traffic school?
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Can I plea-bargain the citation?
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What if I receive a ticket from a police officer for the same violation?
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What happens if I do not respond to the notices mailed to me?
When a violation occurs, who receives the citation and how is it issued?
A Notice of Citation is issued to the registered vehicle owner , as determined by the photo of the license plate. The Notice of Citation is sent via first class mail. Most Notices are mailed within 7 days of the violation date. A final Notice is mailed to the same address by first class mail twenty days later if there is no response to the first Notice.
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Where do you get my address?
When a photo radar violation is issued, the license plate that is pictured is tracked through Motor Vehicle license plate registration. The address on the registration is used to determine where to mail the citation and to whom it is issued.
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What happens if I moved and/or did not receive the citation?
If you moved since obtaining your license plates and did not update your address with Motor Vehicle Registration at your county's Clerk and Recorder Office, or if you believe that you may have received a citation but did not receive a notice in the mail, you can call the Boulder Municipal Court and ask if there is a ticket for your license plate number. (303-441-1810)
Colorado Revised Statute §42-3-113(7) states whenever any person moves to a new address, he or she has 30 days to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of both the old and new addresses. As indicated above, notification is made to your county's Clerk and Recorder Office.
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What if I receive a citation for a vehicle I previously sold?
The registered owner must complete the back of the Notice of Citation and send it to the address indicated with any two of the following: bill of sale, cancellation of insurance for the vehicle, or cancellation of plate registration with the DMV.
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The license plates on my vehicle were stolen, what do I do?
First, report it to Police Department. Then, follow the instructions under Affidavit of Non Responsibility on the back of your notice. Including a copy of the filed police report is beneficial. If there is no Affidavit of Non Responsibility on the back of your document, call the court at 303-441-1810.
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What if I was driving a rental car, fleet vehicle, or someone else's vehicle?
The registered owner will be sent notice of the violation. The registered owner may "nominate" the actual driver and the citation can be re-issued to you. The citation will not be dismissed simply because it was issued to a business or public agency. Most rental car agencies simply pay the citation and then charge the fine back to the person to whom the car was rented at the time the violation occurred. They frequently add an additional service fee. If you were driving someone else's vehicle and believe you may have received a photo enforcement ticket, you can call the Boulder Municipal Court (303-441-1810) and ask if there is a ticket for the license plate number of the vehicle you were driving for the relevant date and/or location. If the ticket is located, you can pay the ticket and avoid further fees or charges. Once the citation is paid, the case is closed. Alternatively, you can acknowledge that you were the driver of the vehicle and set the case for trial.
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Will I receive points on my driving record for this violation?
No. Photo enforcement violations are zero point Traffic Infractions that are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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How will the photo enforcement citation affect my insurance?
It will not affect your driving record in any way. Since these violations are not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, your insurance company is not aware of them.
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Can I go to traffic school?
No, you cannot go to traffic school in lieu of paying the photo citation.
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Can I plea-bargain the citation?
No. Plea bargains generally result in the reduction of points associated with a traffic violation. Since there are no points associated with a photo enforcement citation, no plea bargain offers are made. The fine amounts are fixed amounts established in the ordinance creating photo enforcement violations; therefore, they cannot be reduced.
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What if I receive a ticket from a police officer for the same violation?
This is rare, but it does happen occasionally. In most situations, the violation written by the officer is dismissed provided you bring the matter to the attention of court staff.
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What happens if I do not respond to the notices mailed to me?
Failure to respond to the notice will result in personal service of the Notice. This is similar to a police officer stopping you and handing you a traffic ticket. If personal service is accomplished, an additional charge of $60.00 will be added to the violation costs. Served in person (SIP) fees are not waived, for the reasons stated above. Once the Notice has been personally served, you must pay the amount due (including SIP fee) indicated on the Notice prior to the court date, or you must appear in court as scheduled. If you fail to appear for court, you will be found guilty by default, assessed applicable fines and fees, and your case will be referred to a collection agency, which increases the amount due by 25%. Failure to appear for court is also a separate violation that may result in a warrant for your arrest.
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All images used on this page courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 April 2009 02:35
Municipal Court