The Alabama State Court System - Jefferson County Traffic Court
Instructions for Paying Traffic Fines in the Birmingham Division of Jefferson County
A traffic citation has been issued for you to appear before the Jefferson County, Birmingham Division, District Court. If you desire a Court Hearing, you must appear on the Court date and time shown on your citation. The Court date on your copy of the ticket is NOT A TRIAL DATE; if you desire to plead NOT GUILTY and want a TRIAL, you must appear in court on your court date to request a separate TRIAL DATE. If you wish to avoid a court appearance and enter a plea of guilty, sign the Defendant's plea of guilty on the back of your copy of the ticket and attach your money or cashier's check (NO PERSONAL CHECKS) for the amount of the fine and costs indicated and mail to:
ANNE-MARIE ADAMS, Clerk
District Criminal Court
207 Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
If you fail to pay or otherwise dispose of your case prior to the court date and fail to appear on your court date, a warrant may be issued for your arrest, your driver's license may be suspended by the Department of Public Safety, the fine may be increased, and any bond posted may be forfeited.
Traffic violations not listed below cannot be paid without a court appearance. The following are charges that may be paid without a court appearance:
| Offense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Speeding (85 mph and below)* | $133.00 |
| Speeding (86-89 mph at rate of $1.00 per mile + cost of $113.00) ex. $86 + $113 = $199.00* | |
| Speeding (90 to 99)* | $313.00 |
| Driving on the wrong side of the road* | $143.00 |
| Failure to stop at R. R. Crossing | $123.00 |
| Failure to yield Right of Way* | $133.00 |
| Following too close* | $133.00 |
| Improper backing* | $133.00 |
| Improper passing* | $133.00 |
| Improper signal* | $133.00 |
| Improper turn* | $133.00 |
| Improper lane change* | $133.00 |
| Stopping on highway* | $143.00 |
| Driving without a license (Does not include Driving while Revoked, Cancelled, or Suspended) | $188.00 |
| Failure to dim Headlights | $123.00 |
| Failure to use Safety Belt | $10.00 |
| Failure to use Child Restraint | $138.00 |
| Improper brakes | $133.00 |
| Improper muffler | $133.00 |
| Improper or no rearview mirror | $133.00 |
| Improper tag | $138.00 |
| Improper tires | $123.00 |
| Improper window tinting or remove and show proof | $133.00 |
| No helmet | $123.00 |
| Violating Driver License Restrictions | $173.00 |
| No Insurance | $213.00 |
Traffic violations not listed above may not be paid without appearing in court. Fine and Court Costs may be greater if not paid before the court date.
FOR QUESTIONS AND PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT THE ALABAMA TRAFFIC SERVICE CENTER AT https://traffic.alacourt.gov/ OR CALL TOLL FREE (866) 954-9399. CASES MAY BE PAID WITH CREDIT CARD BY CALLING TOLL FREE (877) 252-7294. PAYMENT MUST REACH THE CLERK'S OFFICE BEFORE YOUR COURT DATE.
Defensive Driving School Options
If you are charged with an offense indicated with an asterisk (*) in the chart above, you may apply to have your case dismissed:
- upon completion of Defensive Driving School AND
- payment of court costs.
This will:
- allow you to avoid a court apperance, and
- will prevent the accrual of points assessed against your Alabama Driver's license as a result of this offense.
To qualify for Driving School, you must meet the following criteria:
- be charged with an offense eligible for Driving School;
- have not received a moving violation in the past three (3) years;
- have not been arrested for DUI; and
- be approved for Driving School by the District Attorney.
To determine your eligibility for Driving School, you must contact the Jefferson County, Birmingham Division, District Attorney's Office Traffic Unit within 14 days of receiving a citation. To expedite the process, send an email to and be sure to include:
- the UTC number (located in the upper right of your ticket);
- your date of birth;
- and contact information.
If you do not have an email account, you may call the Jefferson County, Birmingham Division, District Attorney's Office Traffic Unit at (205) 325-5871.
If you are approved for Defensive Driving School, your case may be dismissed after your completion of the course upon sending a copy of your certificate and payment of court costs to the Court Clerk at the address listed above.
Payment and certificate must be received in the clerk's office 48 hours before the court appearance to dispose of the case. Payment or certificate will not be accepted without the other.
If you are not eligible for driving school, you may still avoid a court appearance by following the instructions at the top of this page for paying your ticket.
Processing of No-Insurance Tickets
The Defendant is not required to appear in court if the Defendant did have liability insurance covering the vehicle driven at the time the ticket was written and if the defendant concludes the matter before the court date in the manner described below:
For an out-of court settlement, Defendant may show proof of insurance, or mail proof of insurance, valid on date of citation, and a copy of the ticket to the Clerk of Court for dismissal prior to the assigned court date. If the Defendant appears at the Clerk's office to provide proof and pay costs, Defendant should bring:
- A copy of the ticket;
- the original proof of insurance; and
- a copy of proof of insurance to leave with the Clerk.
Defendant may mail proof of insurance and a copy of the ticket to:
ANNE-MARIE ADAMS, Clerk
District Criminal Court
207 Mel Bailey Criminal Justice Center
801 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY CASH, CASHIER'S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
If the case is not concluded by the court date, the Defendant must appear in court. If the Defendant did not have liability insurance covering the vehicle driven at the time the ticket was written, the Defendant must appear in court. No exceptions!
Court appearance is required on the assigned court date if Defendant desires a trial. Court appearance is required if the Defendant did not have liability insurance specifically covering the vehicle driven at the time the ticket was written.
Payment Information
NO PERSONAL CHECKS. Personal checks will be returned, causing a delay and late charges to be assessed. Your signed plea of guilty and payment must reach the Clerk's office before your court date. If it does not, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and your driver's license may be suspended by the Department of Public Safety, all without further notice to you.
For questions or payment please contact the Alabama Traffic Service Center at http://traffic.alacourt.gov/ or by calling toll free (866) 954-9399. Cases may be paid with a credit or debit card by calling (877) 252-7294, or online via AlaPay.com.
Helpful Information
To avoid further court appearances, Defendant should bring to court all relevant documents at the first court appearance. For example, if the Defendant did not have insurance at the time the ticket was written, but has obtained insurance, proof of the new insurance may result in a lower fine. Also, if the Defendant had insurance coverage on another vehicle and the vehicle driven at the time of citation was newly purchased, the Defendant may bring proof of insurance on the other vehicle, proof of purchase of the newly purchased vehicle described in the ticket and a statement from the insurance provider that the newly purchased vehicle was covered at the time of citation, although the Defendant had not received the insurance card.
