Need to complete a Houston traffic tickets payment? If you’ve received a traffic citation in Houston, this guide explains how to pay your ticket online, by mail, in person, or by phone. You’ll also find the payment requirements, court fees, processing times, and helpful tips to avoid late penalties, license suspension, or payment scams.

Where do you pay traffic tickets in Houston?

If you received a traffic ticket in Houston and need to pay it before your court date, the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department offers five payment methods. Below we break down each option with the exact details you need to complete your payment without issues.

You have five options available:

  • Online via the Chase Ticket Payment System
  • By phone through the One Call Solution Center
  • By mail (check or money order)
  • In person at any Municipal Court location
  • By Western Union Quick Collect

Your appearance in court on the date shown on your ticket will be waived if you pay before that court date.

How to pay your Houston traffic ticket online

How to pay your Houston traffic ticket online

The fastest option is paying through the City of Houston Ticket Payment System (processed by Chase). Before you start, make sure you are eligible:

  • You know your ticket number
  • You have a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express)
  • You wern’t a juvenile when you received the ticket
  • Your ticket hasn’t already been paid, dismissed or time-served
  • You have not applied for a Driving Safety Course (DSC)
  • A cash bond has not been posted on your case
  • You are not currently incarcerated
  • The offense date or court date on the ticket is not more than two (2) years old

Step by step:

  1. Go to the City of Houston Ticket Payment System
  2. Select Continue and accept the Terms and Conditions
  3. Enter your ticket number and your last name or offense date
  4. Select Search, then click your ticket number to see the full details
  5. Select Continue o view your invoice, then click Pay Invoice
  6. Enter your payment information and your email address to receive a confirmation
  7. Select Submit Payment and print or save your receipt

Online payments are processed as two separate transactions, one for the fine and one for the service fee. If you are paying by debit or prepaid card, confirm you have enough funds for both transactions. If the service fee transaction fails, your entire payment may be declined and your funds could be held for up to 30 days.

How to pay a traffic ticket by phone in Houston

Call by 713-837-0311 (One Call Solution Center), available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To pay by phone you will need

  • Your full name
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number and/or ticket number

Payments made by phone are posted to your account immediately.

How to pay a Houston traffic ticket by mail

Send a check or money order (no cash) to: Municipal Courts Department, P.O. Box 4996, Houston, TX 77210.

Write your ticket number in the memo line of the check or money order. Send your payment well before the court date, mail-in processing is not instant and late payments will not be excused due to mailing delays.

How to pay in person at Houston Municipal Courts

The main courthouse is:

Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse, 1400 Lubbock Street, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-247-5479
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. | Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed daily from noon–1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

The court accepts cash, check, money order, ATM debit card and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express).

Other satellite locations include: Acres Homes/North, Clear Lake, Kingwood, Mykawa/Southeast and Westside. Check the official site for their individual hours.

Go in person if your ticket requires a mandatory court appearance, the online system does not recognize your ticket number, you want to request a payment plan, or you need to dispute an additional charge.

How to pay by Western Union

You can pay using Western Union’s Quick Collect service.

  1. Call 1-800-325-6000 to find the nearest Western Union location
  2. Bring your ticket notice and complete a BLUE Quick Collect form
  3. Pay cash to the agent and provide:
    • Pay to: City of Houston Municipal Courts
    • Code City: Ticket
    • State: TX
    • Citation #: your ticket number

Payments are usually applied to your case within 24 hours.

What are the fees for paying a Houston traffic ticket?

The fine amount depends on the violation and is assessed by the judge. The City of Houston uses an official Traffic Fine Schedule that sets the range for each offense.

Additional fees that may apply:

  • Online service fee: a processing fee is added to all online payments (processed separately from the fine)
  • Payment plan fee: a $15 processing fee per case is added if you request a payment plan
  • Late collection fee: if your case becomes delinquent, a 30% collection fee is added to the total amount owed. Cases are referred to a collections agency after 60 days of delinquency

What happens if you don’t pay a traffic ticket in Houston?

Ignoring a traffic ticket in Houston can lead to:

  • An arrest warrant
  • A 30% collection surcharge on the total fine
  • Suspension or denial of your driver’s license renewal
  • Denial of vehicle registration renewal
  • Your case being sent to a delinquent collections agency (after 60 days)
  • Your vehicle being booted or towed

If you cannot pay the full amount by your court date, appear in court and ask the judge about a deferred payment plan or community service

Can you fight a traffic ticket in Houston?

Yes. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, do not pay it — paying is considered an admission of guilt. Instead:

  • Request a court date before the deadline on your ticket
  • Gather any evidence that supports your case (photos, dashcam footage, witnesses)
  • Appear before a judge and present your case

For questions about your ticket, call 311 or 713-837-0311, or email 311@houstontx.gov.

Recommendations for paying your traffic ticket smoothly

  • Keep your ticket number in a safe place. Without it, you may not be able to locate your case.
  • Pay your traffic ticket as soon as possible to avoid late fees and additional penalties.
  • Always verify that you’re using an official payment website before entering your personal or financial information.
  • Save a digital copy of your payment receipt for future reference.
  • If you received your ticket by mail, check the court notice and request a court date if you’re eligible to contest the citation.
  • If you can’t pay the full amount right away, ask the court about available payment plans.

Paying your Houston traffic ticket before the deadline can help you avoid late fees, arrest warrants, and problems with your driver’s license or vehicle registration. If you received a traffic citation in Houston, taking care of it promptly can save you time, money, and legal complications.

If you don’t have car insurance, now is a good time to get covered before another traffic stop leads to additional fines or penalties. At Experto Insurance, we help drivers compare affordable auto insurance options and find the policy that best fits their needs and budget.



imagen autor

Karina Estrada Bernal

Redactora SEO
Especializada en el sector asegurador, con experiencia creando contenido estratégico para plataformas como ExpertoInsurance.com, enfocada en el mercado hispano de EE. UU. . Apasionada por traducir información compleja en textos claros y útiles que orientan al usuario y fortalecen la presencia digital de la marca.


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