Understanding the TR-205 Form
Last updated: April 5, 2026
The TR-205 Form Explained
The TR-205 is the official California Judicial Council form titled "Request for Trial by Written Declaration." This form is your formal request to the court to have your case decided based on written statements rather than an in-person hearing.
What's on the TR-205
The form includes several important sections that DriversConfidence fills out for you:
Section 1: Your Information
- Your full legal name
- Your mailing address
- Your driver's license number
Section 2: Citation Information
- Citation number
- Violation date
- Violation code(s)
- Court information
Section 3: Your Request
This section formally requests the court to:
- Accept your written declaration (statement) as your testimony
- Decide your case based on the written evidence
- Allow you to pay bail instead of appearing in court
Section 4: Declaration
Your signature under penalty of perjury that the information is true and correct.
How DriversConfidence Helps
We automatically populate the TR-205 with information extracted from your ticket and your account. You'll review everything for accuracy before downloading your final package.
Important Notes
- The TR-205 must be submitted with your bail payment (the fine amount)
- Your signature is required - we provide a signature line for you to sign
- Keep a copy of everything you submit to the court
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