Traffic Citations
Traffic Citations & Payments
When, Where, & How to pay your traffic citations.
Minor traffic citations do not require a court appearance and may be paid off before the court date. To pay online use eCourts Portal and select the "Make Payments" icon. Prior to court, you will need your citation number. To pay after court, use your file number. There is a convenience fee associated. Follow the prompts to access payments and other online services.
Note: Some traffic tickets require a court appearance and cannot be paid off before the court date. If you fail to appear on your court date as required, your driver's license may be revoked, and you may be arrested.
Paying off a citation before court may have unintended consequences. As the reverse side of your traffic ticket will inform you, paying off a citation before court is the same as appearing in court and pleading responsible (guilty) to the original charge. Court costs of $193 for infraction cases and $191 for all other criminal charges are still assessed and must be paid in addition to the fine, even if you do not wish to attend your court date.
This conviction may result in points being assessed against your license, and your insurance premiums may increase. The clerk's office does not know how that will affect your driver's license or insurance.
To find out if your traffic citation requires your court appearance, please check your copy of the traffic citation.
A driver who fails to comply with a citation or other charge may have his driver's license suspended until the matter is settled. Furthermore, if a court appearance is necessary and the defendant fails to appear, an Order for Arrest will be issued, and the defendant may be arrested.
Pay In Person
To pay in person, come to the Clerk's office on the 1st floor, Rm# 1300 of Durham County, no later than the last working day before your court date.
You must pay with:
- Cash
- Certified Check
- Money Order
- Debit or Credit Card (Not accepted for record checks or copy fees)
- Pay Online (Convenience Fee associated)
- We do not accept personal checks.
Pay by Mail
To pay by mail, make a certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court for the amount shown on the front of your citation. Mail your payment and your citation to:
Clerk of Superior Court
Attn: Criminal and Traffic Division
510 S. Dillard St.
Durham, NC 27701
Court Dates
To check on a criminal or traffic court date, contact your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, you may access the online PORTAL or call the Clerk's Office at (919) 808-3002.
You can sign up HERE for text or email notifications of changes to court dates on criminal and infraction cases.
Continuances
Continuances may only be issued by the District Attorney or a Judge. You may request a continuance on your court date or retain an attorney to request a continuance on your behalf.
NOTE: The Clerk's office cannot issue continuances of court dates.