50% and 25% Traffic Ticket Discounts in Colombia: How to Pay Less
A type-C traffic ticket costs close to half of Colombia's minimum monthly wage. The same ticket, paid on time and with the course completed, can cost you half of that. The difference between those two numbers has nothing to do with negotiating with anyone: it depends entirely on how many days you let pass. And that's exactly where most drivers in Colombia lose money — simply by not knowing the clock was already running.
How the discounts work
Colombia's National Traffic Code (Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Ley 1383 de 2010) sets out a tiered reduction for anyone who accepts the infraction and acts quickly:
| When you act | What you pay | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Within the first 5 business days | 50% of the value | 50% off |
| Within the first 20 business days | 75% of the value | 25% off |
| After that deadline | 100% of the value | None |
Deadlines are counted from the date the ticket was issued. With a speed-camera ticket things change, because the count starts from when you're notified, not from when the infraction happened — and that's where many people find out the deadline has already passed.
The requirement almost everyone forgets: the course
Here's the fine print that ruins the plan for a lot of people: the discount isn't earned just by paying fast. The law requires you to also attend a traffic-rules course taught by a traffic authority or an authorized center.
That means the real process is:
- Accept the infraction.
- Register for and complete the course within the deadline.
- Pay the discounted amount.
And that's where the most expensive mistake of all comes from: people count the days to pay, but not the days to get a spot in the course. If the course isn't completed within the deadline, the discount doesn't apply even if you went to the bank the same day. Start with the course, not the payment.
Also keep in mind that available spots, formats (in-person or virtual), and the exact process vary depending on which traffic authority issued the ticket — and it isn't always the one in your city. Confirm the procedure with that specific authority before counting on the discount.
What you're actually accepting by paying
This is the part most discount articles never say clearly: paying with a discount is equivalent to accepting the infraction. It's a legal decision, not just a transaction.
By paying, you give up your right to dispute the ticket. There's no turning back, you can't appeal it afterward, and it stays on record. So before you rush to pay, it's worth pausing thirty seconds to figure out which of these two scenarios you're in:
It makes sense to pay with the discount if:
- You know you committed the infraction.
- The ticket was issued correctly and the details are accurate.
- The amount doesn't justify the time and cost of a dispute process.
Don't pay yet if:
- You don't recognize the infraction or weren't the one driving.
- It's a speed-camera ticket with questionable data, notification, or signage.
- There are errors on the ticket: wrong plate, an ID number that isn't yours, a duplicate ticket.
- The sanction includes license suspension and you want to fight it.
In those cases, the right move isn't paying — it's appearing at the hearing before the traffic authority within the deadline the law sets for disputing the ticket. If your case is a camera-issued ticket, check first when a speed camera ticket is valid and how to appeal it.
What happens if you let time pass
The cost doesn't stand still after day 20. Here's what follows:
- You pay 100% of the fine's value.
- If you still don't pay, the ticket moves to coercive collection, where interest and process fees get added on.
- Your paperwork gets blocked: vehicle transfer, license renewal or upgrade, registration.
- At a checkpoint, an outstanding debt can complicate your trip.
Put another way: the same ticket can cost you half, or well over double, and the only variable you control is speed. If you don't know what "100%" means in your case, check how much each traffic fine costs.
Don't miss the deadline because you didn't know
The underlying problem is almost never lack of money: it's lack of notice. Nobody calls to remind you that you have two days of discount left.
That's what ChatVial is for, our traffic app for iPhone. It checks your traffic tickets in the SIMIT by plate or ID number, and you can ask in plain language "do I still qualify for the 50% discount?" or "how much would I pay today?" It answers with the calculation and cites the article of the National Traffic Code it's based on, not guesses.
The AI runs inside your iPhone, so it's fast and your queries never leave your phone. And since a lot of fines are avoidable, it also warns you 30, 7, and 1 day before your SOAT insurance, vehicle inspection, and license expire. If things get serious, you can reach out to traffic attorneys right from the app.
Disclaimer: this article and ChatVial are informational and do not constitute legal advice. Deadlines, courses, and procedures vary by traffic authority. Always verify with SIMIT and the authority that issued the ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Are the days business days or calendar days? They're counted as business days, excluding weekends and holidays. Even so, don't cut it close: confirm with the traffic authority, because the course also eats into your days.
Can I get the discount without taking the course? No. The course is a requirement to access the reduction.
Does the course cost money? Yes, it has its own fee depending on the authorized center. Even adding that in, the savings are usually significant compared to paying 100%.
I already paid — can I dispute it later? No. Paying means accepting the infraction.
What if I get notified of the speed-camera ticket late? The deadline runs from the date of notification. If there were problems with the notification itself, that can actually be grounds to dispute the ticket instead of paying it.
Does the discount apply to every infraction? The general rule applies to infractions that allow for a guilty plea (allanamiento). More serious violations have their own treatment and additional sanctions.
Act in the first few days, not the last week
With traffic tickets, money gets lost quietly: nobody overcharges you, you just let a deadline pass that nobody reminded you about. Checking the status of your fines once a month is the difference between paying half and paying double.
Download ChatVial for free on the App Store and keep your tickets, deadlines, and an AI traffic advisor in your pocket. Want to see everything it does first? Check out ChatVial.