Traffic Tickets in Texas
SUMMARY: Texas Traffic Tickets
If you were issued a traffic ticket in Texas, you'll need to resolve it with your traffic court by the due date. You may choose to fight your ticket or plead guilty and pay the ticket. Depending on the violation and your driving record, you may need to pay additional court surcharges.
Continue reading this page to learn more about traffic tickets, fines, and what to do if you've lost your traffic ticket.
Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties
Traffic ticket fines vary by county in Texas. In some cases, you may be charged additional surcharges, depending on the type of conviction and the amount of points on your driving record.
Check your traffic ticket or contact the county court listed for exact fees. Please see our page about Traffic Ticket Fines & Penalties for more information.
If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), refer to Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers below. If you misplaced your traffic ticket, see below.
NOTE: Traffic tickets can result in points added to your driving record. Depending on your violation, you may have these points removed by completing a defensive driving course.
Pay a Traffic Ticket in Texas
Within 20 business days of having the traffic ticket, you must decide whether you want to pay the fine or appear in court. Depending on the court, you may be able to pay your ticket in the following ways:
- Online.
- By phone.
- In person.
- By mail.
For detailed information about how to pay your fine, read our page about Paying Traffic Tickets.
Fight a TX Traffic Ticket
You have the option of pleading “not guilty" to a traffic ticket in Texas by appearing in court. This process will differ depending on where you received your citation.
If you're going to plead not guilty, you may wish to hire a traffic attorney.
NOTE: By pleading not guilty, the court could withdraw any prior plea bargains. This could mean being convicted on all charges stated on your ticket.
More information can be found on our How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Texas page.
Lost Your Traffic Ticket?
If you were pulled over by the TX Highway Patrol, you can search for your ticket online at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. Be prepared to enter your:
- Name.
- Driver's license number.
- Date of birth.
If you were pulled over by a sheriff or local police officer, contact the court in the county you were ticketed.
NOTE: Failure to respond to your traffic ticket by the deadline date can result in a warrant for your arrest.
Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers
If you hold a Texas CDL, you must notify your employer within 30 days of conviction, regardless what type of vehicle you were driving at the time.
For more on this and the effects of serious traffic violations on your CDL, please refer to our pages about Ticket Fines & Penalties and CDL Suspensions.
Have Your Insurance Rates Increased?
If you've completed a defensive driving course, or were found innocent after receiving a traffic ticket, make sure points weren't added to your driving record by mistake. Your insurance rates could increase as a result.
It pays to check your driving record.
Major Traffic Violations
If you are a repeat offender of moving violations, you may be subject to additional penalties. For specific details, read our Ticket Fines and Penalties and Point System pages.
If you are cited for a serious violation, or any violation that may result in a license suspension due to too many driving record points, you may want to contact a traffic ticket attorney.
TX Traffic Ticket: Frequently Asked Questions
More information about Texas traffic tickets can be found on our Texas Traffic Ticket FAQ page. Topics include:
- Traffic tickets for minors with learner's permits.
- Hiring a traffic ticket attorney.
- Defensive driving courses.