California's GIV Program Lets You Keep Your License If You Can't Pay Traffic Fines
GIV stands for "Griffith v. State of California," a court settlement that created a payment plan option for people who cannot pay traffic fines all at once. If you have an unpaid traffic ticket in California and your license has been suspended because of it, GIV lets you set up a monthly payment arrangement instead of paying the full amount when ready. The program is run by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the courts that issued your tickets.
The core benefit is straightforward: you can keep your driving privilege while you pay off what you owe. Without GIV, an unpaid traffic fine leads to a license suspension, and you cannot legally drive until the debt is cleared or a payment plan is in place. GIV creates that plan without requiring you to go to court or hire a lawyer.
Key Takeaways
- GIV is a payment plan for unpaid traffic fines that stops your license from being suspended or restores it if it has already been suspended.
- You must contact the court that issued your ticket to set up a GIV plan; the DMV does not process these arrangements directly.
- Monthly payments are typically small enough to be manageable, though the exact amount depends on your income and the fine amount.
- Once you are on a GIV plan and making payments, the DMV will not suspend your license for that debt, even if you miss a single payment.
How GIV Protects Your License
When you owe a traffic fine and do not pay it, California law allows the court to report you to the DMV. The DMV then suspends your license — not because you broke a traffic law, but because you did not pay the penalty. This suspension stays in place until the fine is paid in full or a payment arrangement is made.
GIV changes that outcome. Once you are enrolled in a GIV payment plan, the court agrees not to report you to the DMV for non-payment. Your license suspension is either prevented (if you set up the plan before suspension) or lifted (if you set up the plan after suspension). You keep your driving privilege as long as you stick to the payment schedule.
The protection applies even if you miss a payment. Under GIV, a single missed payment does not trigger an when ready license suspension. This is different from other payment plans, where one missed payment can end the arrangement and result in suspension.
Who Can Use GIV and What You Need
GIV is open to anyone with an unpaid traffic fine in California, regardless of income. You do not have to prove financial hardship to use it. However, the court may ask about your income when setting the monthly payment amount, because GIV is designed to make payments realistic for your situation.
To set up a GIV plan, you need to contact the court that issued the ticket — not the DMV. You will need the ticket number or case number, which appears on your citation. If you have lost the ticket, you can call the court's traffic division and provide your name, date of birth, and driver's license number to locate it.
Some courts allow you to request a GIV plan by phone, mail, or online through their website. Others require you to appear in person or send a written request. Call the court directly to find out which method they use. The court's phone number is usually on the back of your ticket or on the court's website.
How Payment Amounts Are Set
The court sets your monthly payment amount based on the fine and your ability to pay. There is no fixed percentage or formula that applies statewide — each court has some discretion. However, GIV law requires that monthly payments be set at a level you can reasonably afford.
When you contact the court to request a GIV plan, be prepared to discuss your income, expenses, and other debts. The court may ask how much you earn per month, whether you have dependents, and what other financial obligations you have. This information helps the court set a payment that does not push you into further hardship.
Payments are typically between $25 and $100 per month, though this varies widely depending on the fine amount and your circumstances. A $500 fine might result in $50 monthly payments over ten months, while a $2,000 fine might be $100 per month over twenty months. The court will tell you the exact amount and payment schedule when you set up the plan.
Steps to Set Up a GIV Plan
Start by locating the court that issued your ticket. If you have the citation, the court name and location are printed on it. If not, search the California court website by county, or call your local traffic court's main number.
Contact the traffic division of that court and ask to set up a GIV payment plan. Provide your ticket or case number. Tell the clerk you want to request a Griffith payment plan. Some courts will process this over the phone; others will mail you a form to complete and return.
If the court sends you a form, fill it out completely and return it by the important date they give you. The form will ask for your income, expenses, and the monthly payment amount you think you can afford. Be honest about your finances — the court uses this information to set a realistic payment schedule.
Once the court approves your plan, you will receive written confirmation with the monthly payment amount, the due date, and where to send payments. Make your first payment by the date shown. After that, continue making payments on time each month. The court will notify the DMV that you are on a GIV plan, and your license suspension will be lifted or prevented.
What Happens If Your License Is Already Suspended
If your license has already been suspended because of an unpaid traffic fine, setting up a GIV plan will restore it. However, the restoration is not automatic. After the court approves your GIV plan and you make your first payment, the court sends notice to the DMV. The DMV then processes the reinstatement, which usually takes one to two weeks.
You do not have to pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV if you are on a GIV plan. The fee is waived as part of the settlement. However, if you had other reasons for suspension (such as a DUI or reckless driving conviction), those suspensions remain in place and must be handled separately.
During the one to two weeks while the DMV processes your reinstatement, your license is still technically suspended. Do not drive during this time. Once the DMV updates its records, you will be able to drive legally again. You can check your license status online through the DMV website or by calling the DMV.
Missing Payments and What to Do
GIV protects you from license suspension if you miss a single payment. However, if you miss multiple payments or fall significantly behind, the court may end your GIV plan and report you to the DMV again, which can result in suspension.
If you know you cannot make a payment on time, contact the court before the due date. Explain your situation and ask if the court can adjust your payment schedule or allow you to skip a month. Many courts will work with you if you communicate in advance. Waiting until after you miss a payment makes it harder to resolve.
If you have missed a payment and your license has been suspended again, you can request a new GIV plan or ask the court to reinstate your current plan. Contact the court when ready and explain what happened. Bring documentation of your financial hardship if you have it — a layoff notice, medical bills, or a letter from your employer showing reduced hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a GIV plan online?
Some California courts allow online requests through their website, but not all. Call the traffic division of the court that issued your ticket and ask whether they accept online requests, phone requests, or require a written form. The court's website usually lists all available methods.
What if I have multiple unpaid tickets from different courts?
You must set up a separate GIV plan with each court. Contact each court individually and request a payment plan for that specific ticket. Some courts may allow you to combine multiple tickets issued by the same court into one plan, so ask when you call.
Does GIV affect my driving record or insurance?
No. GIV is a payment arrangement, not a change to your driving record or conviction. Your insurance rates are not affected by being on a GIV plan. However, the original traffic violation that led to the fine remains on your record.
What happens when I finish paying off the GIV plan?
Once you make your final payment, the court sends confirmation to the DMV that the fine is paid. Your license status will show clear, and you will have no restrictions related to that ticket. Keep your payment confirmation records in case you need to prove the debt was paid.
Can I pay off my GIV plan early?
Yes. You can pay the remaining balance at any time without penalty. Contact the court and ask for the payoff amount, then send a check or money order for that amount. Once received and processed, your plan is complete and your license status is clear.