Traffic Tickets in Delaware

SUMMARY: Delaware Traffic Tickets

The steps to resolve your DE traffic ticket vary by violation and court. You may be able to pay your ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, by fax, or in person. Some violations require a court appearance. To fight your traffic ticket, you'll need to appear in court.

Continue reading this page to learn how to respond to your traffic ticket in Delaware.

Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties

In Delaware, traffic ticket fines and courts costs will vary by violation and court. Check your traffic ticket for the full amount you must pay. If you have further questions, contact the appropriate DE traffic court.

DE Driving Record Points

When you receive a traffic ticket, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will add points to your driving record, which will remain for 2 years.

If eligible, you may complete a defensive driving course to dismiss your traffic ticket and avoid driving record points. Visit our Traffic Schools in Delaware page for more information.

Pay a Traffic Ticket in Delaware

NOTE: Some traffic tickets require a court appearance, even if you are pleading “guilty." Check your traffic ticket or contact the relevant Delaware for more information.

Depending on where you received your traffic ticket, you may be able to pay your DE traffic ticket fine (for a voluntary assessment ticket):

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • By phone.
  • By fax.
  • In person.

You can read more about how to pay your DE traffic ticket on the Delaware State Court website. Be sure to pay your ticket within 30 days of receiving it, as your failure to do so could result in an arrest warrant and a driver’s license suspension.

Fight a DE Traffic Ticket

If you plan to submit a “not guilty" plea for a voluntary assessment traffic ticket, you'll need to:

  • Sign the appropriate section on your traffic ticket.
  • Mail the ticket to the address/number listed on your ticket.
    • If you decide to fax your ticket, call (302) 739-6911 to confirm delivery.

NOTE: You must submit your plea by the court date listed on your traffic ticket.

The Delaware court will notify you of a location, date, and time that you must appear for trial. You may also want to get in touch with a DE traffic ticket attorney to help your case.

For more information, visit the Delaware courts website or contact the court handling your case.

Lost Your Traffic Ticket?

To find your traffic ticket information after losing your actual ticket, call the Voluntary Assessment Center at (302) 739-6911. If your ticket was issued in a municipality, get in touch with the appropriate Alderman's court below:

  • Bethany Beach: (302) 537-3891.
  • Rehoboth: (302) 227-7917.
  • Laurel: (302) 875-2855.
  • Newport: (302) 994-6403.
  • Newark: (302) 366-7028.
  • Dewey Beach: (302) 227-6363.

Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers

If you have a DE commercial driver's license (CDL), you must notify your employer within 30 days of being convicted of a traffic violation. This applies even if you were driving a non-commercial vehicle.

If you're convicted of any of the following offenses, you'll lose your CDL for 1 year:

  • Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when your license has been suspended, revoked or cancelled or if you were disqualified from operating a CMV.
  • Using a CMV to commit a felony (This includes controlled substances that are dispensed, made or distributed using a CMV.
  • A BAC over 0.04%.
  • Driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident.
  • A fatality that is the result of using a CMV negligently.
  • Refusing to comply with implied consent laws.

You can visit our CDL Suspension page to get more information.

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