Dallas Municipal Court

Got a Dallas traffic ticket?
Here are your options.

Most traffic tickets in Dallas can be dismissed without paying the fine. Both options are explained below — choose the one that fits your situation.

Not sure which option to use?
Driver Safety Course

Choose this if you...

  • Want a clear path to dismissal with a fixed cost
  • Are comfortable taking a 6-hour course
  • Have a valid Texas license (not CDL)
  • Are within 21 days of your citation
Deferred Disposition

Choose this if you...

  • Want to avoid taking a course (if over 25)
  • Have a violation that is not eligible for DSC
  • Are willing to comply with court-set conditions
  • All deferred dispositions require judicial approval

Option A — Driver Safety Course

Am I eligible?

You are NOT eligible for DSC if any of these apply
XYou completed a court-ordered DSC within the 12 months before the date of your offense
XYour ticket is for speeding 25 mph or more over the speed limit
XYour ticket is for driving 95 mph or more
XYour ticket was committed in a construction or maintenance zone when workers were present
XYour ticket is for passing a school bus loading or unloading children
XYour ticket is for leaving the scene of a collision after causing damage to a vehicle that was driven or attended
XYour ticket is for a serious traffic violation
XYou held a commercial driver's license at the time of the offense, OR you hold a CDL now at the time of making this request — even if driving your personal vehicle

If none of the above apply, you are likely eligible. You will need to sign a legal affidavit confirming you have not taken DSC in the past 12 months.

Act within 21 days

Once you are past 21 days from your citation date, the fee may be higher or this option may no longer be available. Request DSC as soon as possible.

Court fees

Court fees
Violation typeCourt fee
Violation not in a school zone$144.00
Violation in a school zone$169.00

An online convenience fee applies if you apply online. Fees are subject to change per state law.

How to complete DSC — step by step

Important — do this in the right order

Do not take the course or complete any required paperwork before the court approves you. The court can revoke or deny your DSC option if you complete any steps before receiving written approval. You will receive approval by mail within 5-7 business days.

1
Submit your DSC request before 21 days from your citation date

Apply online at dallascityhall.com (available 24/7, convenience fee applies), by mail, or in person at 2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201. You will need your Texas Driver's License (or valid permit, or proof of active military duty), proof of car insurance with your name listed as a driver, and your court fee payment. Do not send cash by mail — check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "City of Dallas" only. Print your citation number on the payment.

2
Wait for your written approval letter

The court will mail a response to the address you provided within 5-7 business days. Do not enroll in or take any course until you receive this letter.

3
Complete all three required items after approval

(1) Enroll in and complete any TDLR-approved 6-hour defensive driving course. (2) Purchase your certified Type 3A driving record from DPS. (3) Have the affidavit the court sends you notarized by a Texas notary. You have 90 days from approval to do all three. No extensions are allowed under any circumstances.

4
Submit everything to the court on or before your 90-day deadline

Mail or bring in person to Dallas Municipal Court, 2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201. Fax, email, and live chat are NOT accepted for submitting documents. The court uses the postmark date as the received date — mailing certified is recommended. Print your citation number on all paperwork.

Forms and documents

1
DSC Mail Application Required if applying by mail. Download, complete, and mail with your payment and supporting documents.
Download from Dallas Municipal Court
2
Certified Type 3A Driving Record Required when submitting your completed DSC documents. Must be the "Type 3A" version specifically. Order online instantly or by mail.
Order online at texas.gov Mail-in order form (PDF)
3
DSC Affidavit Mailed to you by the court after your DSC request is approved. Must be signed and notarized by a Texas notary before submitting. You will NOT download this yourself — the court sends it to you.
Mailed to you by the court after approval
4
Certificate of Completion Provided by your course provider after finishing. The applicant must personally sign the "Court Copy." If it is not signed, the court will require you to appear in person to sign it.
Provided by your course provider

Where to submit your request and documents

By mail

Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main St
Dallas, TX 75201-4406

Check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "City of Dallas." Print citation number on payment. Certified mail recommended.

Online — 24/7

Available any time including weekends and holidays.
Visa and Mastercard accepted. Online convenience fee applies.

Request DSC online

In person

Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201

Hours of operation

No free or dedicated public parking. Street metering, daily lots, and private garages available nearby.

How to confirm the court received your documents

Mail certified for delivery confirmation. To check your citation status online, use the Dallas Municipal Court citation search. Cases show as pending until after the due date. After the deadline, allow 4–6 weeks for a Judge to review. If more than 4–6 weeks have passed, contact the court at 214-670-0109.

Check citation status online

No fax, email, or live chat accepted for submitting completed documents.

Questions? Call Dallas Municipal Court: 214-670-0109

If you miss your 90-day deadline — no extensions allowed

The court will set your case for a show cause hearing and will mail a notice to your last known address on file. The show cause hearing is your opportunity to explain to a Judge why you did not meet the requirements. If you fail to appear, fail to comply, or cannot give a satisfactory explanation, a conviction will be reported to DPS and a warrant may be issued.

Option B — Deferred Disposition

What is Deferred Disposition?

Plain English explanation

Deferred Disposition keeps your ticket from being reported as a conviction on your driving record. The judge defers — meaning delays — any finding of guilt. If you successfully meet all of the court's conditions by the deadline, the case is dismissed. If you do not comply, a conviction is reported to DPS and a warrant may be issued. All deferred dispositions in Dallas are subject to judicial review and approval.

If you are under 25

If you are under 25 years old and charged with a moving traffic violation, the judge is required by law to order you to complete a Driver Safety Course as a condition of Deferred Disposition. You will effectively need to do both. The judge may also require an additional course designed for drivers under 25.

If you have a provisional driver's license (under 18)

If you hold a provisional driver's license and are charged with a moving violation, the court is required to order you to be examined by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a condition of Deferred Disposition. You must pay DPS a $10 fee for the examination and submit proof of completion to the court.

Am I eligible?

Most traffic violations are eligible. However, you are NOT eligible for Deferred Disposition if any of the following apply:

XYou hold or held a commercial driver's license at the time of the offense
XYour violation was committed in a construction work zone when workers were present
XYou are a minor charged with consuming alcohol and have been previously convicted of this offense twice or more
XYou are a minor charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and have been previously convicted of this offense twice or more
XYou are a minor aged 17 or older who has been previously convicted two or more times of an alcohol-related minor offense under Section 106.071 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code
These cases require in-person judge approval — online and mail requests will not be accepted
!Speeding 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit
!Any juvenile case — must appear in person with a parent or legal guardian
!Class C misdemeanor assault, theft, or reckless damage offenses
!A minor charged with an alcohol-related offense
!A minor charged with a tobacco offense
!Public intoxication if you were under 21 years old at the time of the violation

How much does it cost?

Fee amounts not published

Dallas Municipal Court does not publish specific Deferred Disposition fee amounts on their website. The fee is listed as "payment in full" and is set by the court based on your specific citation. Contact the court directly at 214-670-0109 or check your citation online for the amount owed before submitting your request.

How to apply — step by step

1
Download and complete the Deferred Disposition application

Fill out completely and sign. For mail or online applications, you will also need an acceptable form of identification (social security cards and photos of yourself are not valid forms of ID) and payment in full.

2
Submit your request online, by mail, or in person before your court date

Online at dallascityhall.com (convenience fee applies, available 24/7). By mail to 2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201-4406 — check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "City of Dallas," print your citation number on the payment. In person at 2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201.

3
Comply with all court-ordered conditions by your deadline

After approval, the court will mail you instructions with your conditions and due date. Complete all required items by the deadline. Once complete, submit any required paperwork by mail or in person — fax, email, and live chat are not accepted.

Forms to download

1
Deferred Disposition Mail Application Required if applying by mail. Download, complete, and submit with payment and ID.
Download from Dallas Municipal Court
2
Acceptable ID You must bring or submit an acceptable form of ID. Social security cards and photos (selfies) are not valid.
Your own document — no download needed
3
Payment Check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "City of Dallas." No cash by mail. Print your citation number on the payment.
Your own document — no download needed

Where to submit

By mail

Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main St
Dallas, TX 75201-4406

Check, cashier's check, or money order payable to "City of Dallas." Print citation number on payment. Certified mail recommended.

Online — 24/7

Available any time including weekends and holidays.
Visa and Mastercard accepted. Online convenience fee applies.

Request Deferred Disposition online

In person

Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main St, Dallas TX 75201

Hours of operation

No free or dedicated public parking.

How to confirm the court received your documents

Mail certified for delivery confirmation. To check your citation status online, use the Dallas Municipal Court citation search. Cases show as pending until after the due date. After the deadline, allow 4–6 weeks for a Judge to review. If more than 4–6 weeks have passed, contact the court at 214-670-0109.

Check citation status online

No fax, email, or live chat accepted for documents.

Questions? Call Dallas Municipal Court: 214-670-0109

If you fail to meet the conditions of Deferred Disposition

The court will schedule a show cause hearing and mail a notice to your last known address. The show cause hearing gives you the opportunity to explain to a Judge why you did not comply. If you fail to appear, fail to comply, or cannot give a satisfactory explanation, a conviction will be reported to DPS as required by law and a warrant may be issued depending on the status of your case.

Need to pick a defensive driving course?

Compare all 133 TDLR-approved providers by price, format, and language — free, no signup.

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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 Dallas Municipal Court, the City of Dallas, or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). All information is sourced directly from official Dallas 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. If you have questions specific to your case, contact the court directly or consult a licensed attorney.

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