Civil Traffic Tickets

For tickets issued on or after September 26, 2025, please see the following document:

What to Do When You Receive a Civil Traffic Violation

When you receive a citation that contains a civil traffic offense only, you have several options:

Option 1: Attend Defensive Driving School (DDS)

If a charge on your complaint is marked as civil traffic, and you are eligible to attend a class, one moving violation may be dismissed by attending Defensive Driving School. You may attend class for only one violation even if there are multiple eligible violations listed on the traffic ticket. You must pay a fine, appear in court or request a hearing for additional violations.

Advantages of attending class for the violation:

  • The eligible traffic violation will be dismissed. (non CDL)
  • There will be no fine or points placed on your driving record.
  • You only pay the school enrollment fee.
  • You do not need to appear in court.
  • Persons with a graduated license will not have to attend mandatory Traffic Survival School through MVD.
  • Persons with a red-light violation of any kind will not have to attend mandatory Traffic Survival School through MVD.

Registration Instructions: Contact one of the Defensive Driving Schools certified by the Arizona Supreme Court within seven days of receiving your traffic ticket. The school will notify you within two business days if you are not eligible. You must complete the class at least seven days before the court appearance date written on the traffic ticket. The school will give you the cost of their course. On the day of class, bring your driver license, traffic ticket and money order. The school does not accept cash or personal checks. Call (623) 930-2400 to replace a lost ticket.

Option 2: Request a Hearing

If you wish to contest your civil traffic violation, you must submit a request for a hearing on or before the court appearance date listed on the front of your citation. Once your request is received, the Court will vacate your original appearance date and notify you of your new hearing date.

At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Cross-examine any witnesses presented by the State, including the citing officer
  • Present your own testimony, diagrams, or other evidence
  • Call witnesses to testify on your behalf 

A judge or hearing officer will make a decision based on the evidence presented. If you are found responsible, you have the right to appeal by filing a Notice of Appeal within 14 days of the final order. All fines must be paid in full by 5:00p.m. on the day of the hearing.

How to Request a Hearing:

  • Online:  File a motion through the Court’s online system
  • In Person: Visit the Court during business hours at 5711 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301
  • By Mail:  Send a written request including your full name, complaint number, and contact information (mailing address, email, phone number) to the Court address above.

Option 3: Pay the Citation

You may pay your civil traffic violation(s) without appearing in court, unless the violation:

  • is marked Criminal Traffic, or
  • involved an accident with serious injury or death,
  • is not listed on the Fine/Sanction Schedule (PDF, 66KB)(PDF, 58KB), or
  • can be reduced or dismissed with proper proof of correction.  It will be necessary for you to submit proof to the Court via email (citycourtmotions@glendaleaz.com), USPS mail, or in person. Contact the Court for assistance with determining the amount of the reduced fine.

Review the Fine/Sanction Schedule (PDF, 66KB)(PDF, 58KB) to determine the fine amount for the violation(s).

  1. Pay Online
  2. Pay by Phone
    (623) 444-2615

  3. Pay in Person
    Glendale City Court
    5711 W. Glendale Avenue
    Glendale, AZ. 85301

  4. Pay with Cash Offsite

     5. Pay by Mail

Include full name, citation number, and address. Make Check or Money Order payable to Glendale City Court. No two-party checks accepted. Do Not Mail Cash Payments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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