Traffic FAQ

Traffic FAQ

Can I pay a traffic citation online?
YES!! We are excited to announce that we now have an online payment system. If you are pleading guilty to a traffic violation and are wanting to pay the amount in full, you can pay the citation here.
If you want to make sure we received your payment, you can call the Court Clerk’s Office at 615-355-5732.
How do I pay a citation?
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PAYMENT:

  • Credit Card
    •  At the Court Clerk’s service window or over the phone at 615-355-5732.
    • Pay online HERE
    • All credit/debit cards are subject to a processing fee and/or convenience fee assessed by the vendor
  • Cash
    •  At the Court Clerk’s service window. Please DO NOT mail cash.
  • Check
    • NO personal checks are accepted. Business or Cashier Checks are acceptable. Please make checks payable to "Smyrna Municipal Court".
  • Money Order
    • Make payable to "Smyrna Municipal Court". Please include the citation number on the note section.
If you are mailing a payment, please include your name and citation number legibly on the Check or Money Order.

If you would like a receipt, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can mail the receipt back.
Is there a way I can keep the violation off of my driving record?
Yes, if you qualify for Traffic School and attend the class successfully, your violation will not put points on your driving record. Only the class will be recorded on your driver history. Call the Court Clerk’s Office at 615-355-5732 to see if you are eligible for the class and to sign up. The total cost of tuition and court cost is $160.00.
 

Per Federal Law (https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/commercial-driver-license/cdlcitation.html),

Traffic School is not an option if you carry a Commercial Driver’s License.
What are my options if I have a registration violation?
If you have been cited for one of the below offenses, you may be eligible for a dismissal:
 
  • Expired Registration - $75 dismissal with valid registration
  • Registration to be Carried - $25 dismissal with valid registration
  • Registration Address Change - $25 dismissal with corrected valid registration

 Contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 615-355-5732 for more information. This must be done on or BEFORE the compliance date shown on the citation.
What are my options if I receive a citation and I hold a valid CDL (Commercial Driver's License)?
A CDL endorsement is not eligible for Traffic School diversion pursuant to Federal regulations. Your options are to pay the citation or contest the citation.

Click here for more information from the TN Department of Safety regarding your CDL.
What are my options if I receive a driver's license violation?
If you have been cited for one of the below offenses, you may be eligible for a dismissal:

  • Driver’s License to be Carried - $25 dismissal with valid driver’s license
  • Driver’s License Expired - $75 dismissal with valid driver’s license
  • Driver’s License Change of Address - $25 dismissal once in compliance
What are my options if I receive a safety equipment violation (lights, window tint, improper display, etc.)?
If you have been cited for one of the below offenses, you may be eligible for a dismissal:
 
  • Light Violation (head/tail) - $25 dismissal once in compliance
  • Window Tint - $75 dismissal once in compliance
  • No Bumper - $75 dismissal once in compliance
  • Improper Display of Tags - $25 dismissal once in compliance
  • Brake Equipment - $25 dismissal once in compliance
This must be done on or BEFORE the compliance date shown on the citation.

This may be accomplished by coming to the Court Clerk’s office and being given an Order of Compliance form, have an officer check the vehicle for compliance of the violation, officer will sign off on the Order of Compliance, and you return the signed Order of Compliance back to the Court Clerk’s office - there may be a dismissal fee due at that time.
What are my options if I receive an Insurance Violation?
If you can show a valid proof of insurance that covers the driver or the vehicle on the citation issuance date, you can have the violation dismissed without cost.
If you are unable to show proof of valid insurance at the time the citation was written you should pay at the Court Clerk’s office a total of $123.75 - on or BEFORE the compliance date shown on the citation.
What if I am not able to pay by the compliance date?
If you cannot pay your traffic citation by the compliance date on the citation,you need to contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 615-355-5732 on or before your compliance date to find out if a Payment Plan is available to you. There may be other options available that suit your situation.
What if I believe I am not guilty of the violation?
If you wish to contest the citation or a violation listed on the citation (some citations list one violation and others may have multiple violations listed), fill out the Contested form HERE and contact the Court Clerk’s Office at (615) 355-5732 by the compliance date to obtain a court date. The Court Clerk’s Office can also provide a hard copy if you rather fill the form out in person. This must be done on or before the compliance date.
What if I ignore my traffic ticket (citation)?
If you neglect to pay your traffic ticket either by accident or design by the compliance date listed on the ticket, you will be reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety for “Failure To Appear/Pay.” Your driver’s license may be suspended, canceled or revoked. You will be required to pay a greater amount of taxes and fees to the court as well as any reinstatement fee to the TN Department of Safety. A “Failure To Appear/Pay” is considered by the TN DOS as a “guilty” plea.
What is Traffic School and how do I know if I qualify for it?
Traffic School is a 4-hour in-person class that may be taken once every twelve months for any moving violation. By attending this class, you are conditionally pleading guilty; however attending the class will keep the violation off of your driving record.

You are eligible to attend traffic school if the citation you have received is for a moving traffic violation AND you have not attended driving school in the past 12 months.

If you choose the option of attending Traffic School, you must contact or appear on or before your compliance date at the Court Clerk’s Office to sign up for the class. You will select a date to attend the one-time, 4-hour class. The total cost for the Traffic School is $160.00. This amount must be paid before you will be allowed to sign up for a class date. You will not pay the amount for the moving violation.

Once you have completed the class, your violation will be dismissed – which means that the violation will not be reported to the state to go on your driving record. However, attendance of class will be on your driving record. If this is a concern regarding your insurance policy, you may want to get in contact with your insurance agent to see what the best option is for you.

If you fail to complete the class – you will be considered guilty of the violations and will be held accountable for any additions that exceed the amount paid to attend the class and this will be reported to the Department of Safety to go on your driving record.

Traffic School is usually held Mondays or Thursdays 6:00pm - 10:00pm or Saturdays 10:00am to 2:00pm. Again, you must contact the Court Clerk’s Office for the schedule of open classes.
Will the violations on my ticket/citation go on my driving record?
If you pay a citation (moving violation), it will be reported to the Department of Safety and the applicable points will be recorded as a part of your driving history. Points are usually removed from your record within a year as long as you do not receive any other violation. Click here for a list of point values.