Got an Austin traffic ticket?
Here are your options.
Most traffic tickets in Austin can be dismissed without paying the fine. Pick the option that fits your situation below.
Step 1 — Choose your path
Not sure which to pick?
Driver Safety Course — Choose this if you…
- Have a valid Texas license (not CDL) and were not in a commercial vehicle
- Have not taken DSC in the past 12 months
- Are not charged with speeding 25+ mph over the limit or 95+ mph
- Want a fixed cost and a clear 90-day deadline
Deferral — Choose this if you…
- Do not want to take a driving course
- Have a violation type that qualifies for deferral
- Are 17 or older and do not hold a CDL
- Understand approval is at the court's discretion
Driver Safety Course — Am I eligible?
- You hold a commercial driver's license (CDL)
- You were driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the citation
- You have taken a driving safety course in the past 12 months
- Your ticket is for speeding 95 mph or more
- Your ticket is for speeding 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit
- You do not have current, valid car insurance
- You do not have a Texas driver's license (unless active military or military dependent living in Texas)
If none of the above apply, you are likely eligible. Your request must be submitted before your appearance date — do not wait.
Austin accepts email submissions
Unlike most Texas courts, Austin Municipal Court accepts completed DSC documents by email at court@austintexas.gov. You can also submit by mail, fax, or in person.
Court fees
| Violation type | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Standard violation | $144.00 |
| School zone violation | $169.00 |
The court fee is paid when you submit your DSC request form — before your appearance date. The course itself costs a minimum of $25 separately, paid directly to the course provider.
Important — submit your form before taking the course
Do not take a driving safety course before submitting your DSC Request form to the court. Your 90-day window to complete the course begins from the date the court processes your request — not the date you submitted it. Check your case status online at austintexas.gov/amcpublicinquiry about one week after submitting.
Spanish language form available
Austin Municipal Court offers a Spanish-language DSC request form (Solicitud para tomar un curso de seguridad vial). See the forms section below to download it.
How to complete DSC — step by step
- 1
Look up your case and confirm your appearance date
Find your case at the Austin Municipal Court online portal. Note your appearance date — your DSC request must be submitted before this date or you lose the right to request DSC.
Look up your case → - 2
Download and complete the DSC Request and Affidavit form
The form combines the DSC request and the required affidavit in one document. Complete all fields. The affidavit must be notarized — either by a notary public before mailing, or by a court clerk when you appear in person. There is also a Spanish-language version of this form.
- 3
Submit your form with your documents and payment before your appearance date
Submit all of the following together: the completed and notarized DSC Request form, a copy of your valid non-commercial Texas driver's license (or military ID and orders), proof of current valid auto insurance with your name as insured, and payment of $144 (or $169 for school zone). You can submit by mail, email (court@austintexas.gov), fax (512) 974-4882, or in person at either courthouse location.
- 4
Check your case status online one week after submitting
Visit austintexas.gov/amcpublicinquiry to confirm the court has processed your request. Your 90-day clock to complete the course starts from the processing date.
Check case status → - 5
Take any TDLR-approved 6-hour defensive driving course
Online or in-person — your choice. Any TDLR-approved course is accepted. The certificate must indicate it is for Austin Municipal Court. You have 90 days from the court's processing date to complete the course.
- 6
Submit your certificate and driving record within 90 days
Submit to Austin Municipal Court: a copy of your certificate of completion (must indicate it is for Austin Municipal Court), and a copy of your driving record version 3 or 3A from Texas DPS. You can submit by mail, email (court@austintexas.gov), fax (512) 974-4882, or in person.
If you do not complete the DSC terms
The court will send you a notice to appear and show cause why you did not complete the terms. If cause is not sufficient, the DSC will be revoked and you will be found guilty. A conviction will be reported to DPS and placed on your driving record.
Forms and documents to download
- Download DSC Request Form (English) ↓
DSC Request and Affidavit Form (English)
Combined request and affidavit in one document. Must be completed and notarized (or brought to the court for a clerk to certify). Submit before your appearance date along with your license, insurance, and payment.
- Descargar formulario en español ↓
DSC Request and Affidavit Form (Spanish)
Spanish-language version of the same form (Solicitud para tomar un curso de seguridad vial). If the link opens the English version, contact the court at court@austintexas.gov to request the Spanish version.
-
Certified Driving Record (version 3 or 3A)
Required when submitting your completed DSC documents. Must be version 3 or 3A from Texas DPS.
- Provided by your course provider
Certificate of Completion
Provided by your course provider after finishing. Must indicate it is for Austin Municipal Court. Submit with your driving record within 90 days.
- View Austin fine schedule →
Austin Municipal Court Fine Schedule
Reference guide for fine amounts for all Austin Municipal Court violations.
How to submit your request and documents
By mail
Austin Municipal Court
P.O. Box 2135
Austin, TX 78768
Make checks payable to Austin Municipal Court.
By email
Austin accepts certificate submission by email — unlike most Texas courts.
By fax
(512) 974-4882
In person
Main Courthouse
6800 Burleson Road
Building 310, Suite 175
Austin, TX 78744
North Customer Service Center
2121 West Parmer Lane
Suite 116
Austin, TX 78727
Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm, excluding city holidays.
Questions? Call Austin Municipal Court: (512) 974-4800
What is a Deferral?
Plain English explanation
A deferral is a postponement of judgment. You plead guilty or no contest and pay associated court fees. The court gives you a window of time to complete certain conditions. If you successfully complete all terms of the deferral, the case is dismissed. If you do not, the deferral is revoked and a conviction is entered.
Approval is not guaranteed
The court considers the type of offense, the facts of your case, and your criminal history when deciding whether to grant a deferral. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval.
If you are under 25
If you are under 25 and charged with a moving traffic violation, the court is required by law to make you complete a Driver Safety Course as a condition of your deferral. You will effectively need to do both.
Am I eligible for a Deferral?
- You hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), even if the violation occurred while driving a non-commercial vehicle
- You are under 17 years of age
For all other violations, you may request a deferral. Eligible violation types include moving violations, bicycle violations, no insurance, no license, disabled parking, and water violations. The court will review your specific case before granting approval.
How much does a Deferral cost?
Cost varies by violation
Austin Municipal Court does not publish a fixed deferral fee. The exact cost depends on your specific violation and will be shown in the online case portal after your request is processed.
How to apply for a Deferral — step by step
- 1
Confirm your eligibility
You must not hold a CDL and must be 17 or older. Check that your violation type qualifies using the Austin Municipal Court case portal or fine schedule.
- 2
Apply for a deferral online, by email, or in person
Submit your deferral application online through the Austin Municipal Court case portal, by email to court@austintexas.gov, or in person at either courthouse location. Your application must include a no-contest or guilty plea.
Apply for a deferral online → - 3
Check your case status one week after applying
Look up your case at austintexas.gov/amcpublicinquiry to see if your deferral was approved and to find the fee amount.
- 4
Pay your court fees
Pay by phone at (512) 974-4640 (Monday–Friday 8am–5pm), online through the case portal, by mail, or in person at either courthouse location.
- 5
Complete the terms of your deferral and submit proof
Complete all court-ordered conditions by your deadline. Submit proof to the court in person, by email (court@austintexas.gov), or by fax (512) 974-4882.
If you do not complete the terms of your deferral
Failure to meet the deferral terms results in a revocation hearing. If you do not appear for the revocation hearing, a conviction will be entered, it will be placed on your record, and if you owe the court money, a warrant for your arrest will be issued.
Forms and documents
- Apply for a deferral online →
Apply for a Deferral (online form)
Austin Municipal Court accepts deferral applications online.
- View Austin fine schedule →
Austin Municipal Court Fine Schedule
Reference guide to estimate the cost of your deferral.
How to reach Austin Municipal Court
By mail
Austin Municipal Court
P.O. Box 2135
Austin, TX 78768
Make checks payable to Austin Municipal Court.
By email
By fax
(512) 974-4882
In person
Main Courthouse
6800 Burleson Road
Building 310, Suite 175
Austin, TX 78744
North Customer Service Center
2121 West Parmer Lane
Suite 116
Austin, TX 78727
Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm, excluding city holidays.
Questions? Call Austin Municipal Court: (512) 974-4800
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Compare courses on TX Course Guide →Disclaimer and source verification
This page is an independent summary created by TX Course Guide for informational purposes only. TX Course Guide is not affiliated with Austin Municipal Court, the City of Austin, or TDLR. All information is sourced directly from official Austin Municipal Court pages and reflects content as of March 2026. Rules, fees, and procedures may change — always verify current requirements with the court before taking action. This is not legal advice.