So, you’ve received a speeding ticket in a rental car—now what? While the rental company is unlikely to know about the ticket immediately, that doesn’t mean you can ignore it. In fact, it’s in your best interest to pay up promptly, or you could face escalating fines, a suspended license, and even trouble with future rentals.

Here’s the deal: Speeding tickets, red-light violations, and other moving offenses are tied to you, not the vehicle you’re driving. Whether it’s your own car, a friend’s, or a rental, it’s your driver’s license that’s on the line.

If you’re pulled over and issued a ticket, the most straightforward path is to pay it. The ticket will provide instructions on how to settle the fine—usually online or by phone. Quick payment means you can avoid additional penalties, and it keeps your record clean. Just make sure you get a receipt or confirmation!

But what if you never even knew you got the ticket? With the rise of things like speed cameras, red-light technology, and automated ticketing systems, it’s possible to rack up a violation without realizing it. In these cases, the local government sends the ticket to the rental company, as they own the vehicle. The rental company will then forward the fine to you, plus an administrative fee for handling it.

Ignore the ticket, and the consequences can snowball. Unpaid fines may end up in collections and could even result in a suspended license. Worse, the rental car company could flag your name on their “Do Not Rent” list, making it harder to book a car in the future.

What if you believe the ticket was issued unfairly? You can challenge it directly with the local government. Unfortunately, the rental company won’t get involved, so you’ll need to handle it yourself. Contact details for contesting the ticket will be on the citation.

In some places, disputing a ticket is as easy as filing an online appeal. If that option isn’t available, you may need to challenge it by mail or even show up in court. Just be aware that fighting a ticket could cost you more time and money than simply paying it.

In the end, whether it’s your personal car or a rental, you’re responsible for your actions behind the wheel. Stay on top of tickets to avoid trouble with both the law and rental companies—because those fines can add up quickly!