Philadelphia Traffic Ticket Records
Philadelphia handles traffic violations through a court system unlike any other city in Pennsylvania. The Traffic Division of the Philadelphia Municipal Court adjudicates all Pennsylvania Vehicle Code violations that occur within city limits. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, home to about 1.6 million residents. Finding your traffic ticket records here means working with a dedicated court — not the county Magisterial District Judge system used elsewhere in the state. This guide covers how to search, pay, and contest Philadelphia traffic citations.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division
The Traffic Division of Philadelphia Municipal Court handles all PA Vehicle Code violations issued within city limits. Act 17 of 2013 created this division, abolishing the former Philadelphia Traffic Court in the process. The court operates at 800 Spring Garden Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Administrative Judge Joffie C. Pittman III has overseen the division since his appointment on January 3, 2022. President Judge T. Francis Shields leads the broader Municipal Court, which includes 27 law-trained judges.
This division processes red light citations, stop sign violations, driving without a license, and operating without valid registration or insurance. Each of these violations falls under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, and the court has full authority to adjudicate them. If you received a ticket in Philadelphia, this is your court — not a magisterial district judge office as in other counties.
Note: Parking violations, red-light camera tickets, and speed camera tickets are handled separately. Call 215-683-9600 for parking, 844-248-0449 for red-light camera issues, and 866-790-4111 for speed camera questions. The Traffic Division only handles sworn officer citations under the Vehicle Code.
The Philadelphia Traffic Division website provides direct access to citation payment and scheduling tools for Philadelphia drivers.
The Traffic Division processes thousands of citations each year and maintains detailed records for every case adjudicated in the city.
How to Search Philadelphia Traffic Ticket Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal is the primary free tool for searching traffic ticket records in Philadelphia. You can search by name, citation number, or case number. Results include case status, charges, hearing dates, and disposition. The PAeDocket app offers the same access from a mobile device.
Philadelphia also runs its own case search system through the First Judicial District. The First Judicial District e-Services portal lets you pay traffic citations directly, view calendars, and look up cases through the ePay system. This city-level portal is specific to Philadelphia and supplements the statewide UJS tool.
When searching, have your citation number ready if possible. The citation number appears in the top right corner of your ticket. You can also search by the name of the person ticketed. Records through UJS are public and do not require an account to view.
Note: Records for parking tickets, red-light cameras, and speed cameras are not in UJS. Those systems have their own databases managed by city agencies rather than the courts.
What Philadelphia Traffic Court Records Contain
A Philadelphia traffic court record includes the citation number, the name and address of the driver, the vehicle information, the specific Vehicle Code section violated, the date and location of the violation, and the name of the issuing officer. After the case is heard, the record also shows the verdict and any fine or penalty imposed.
Records also note whether a case was continued, dismissed, or resolved with a payment plan. If you paid a fine, that payment will appear in the record. Failure to respond to a citation results in a default judgment against you, along with a $25 late fee added to your total. Default judgments are also visible in the case record.
The courts.phila.gov portal gives access to the First Judicial District's full range of court records and e-services for Philadelphia residents.
Court records from the First Judicial District are maintained in both the local system and the statewide UJS database.
Paying or Contesting a Philadelphia Traffic Ticket
You have 10 days from the date you receive a citation to respond. Failing to respond triggers a $25 late fee and can lead to a default judgment. Philadelphia accepts payment online through the ePay system, by mail, or in person at 800 Spring Garden Street during court hours.
If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a hearing within that same 10-day window. Hearings in Philadelphia Traffic Division can now be conducted via Zoom, and the court has offered payment plans for those who qualify. A not-guilty verdict results in a refund, which typically processes in four to six weeks. Contact the court at 215-686-1676 or tcsupport@courts.phila.gov for help with your case or to arrange a payment plan.
Paying your fine does not automatically clear points from your Pennsylvania driving record. Points are assessed by PennDOT based on the violation type, and they remain on your record regardless of how you pay. If you plan to contest, gather your evidence before your Zoom or in-person hearing date.
Note: Language assistance is available at no charge through the court's Language Rights program, which guarantees free interpreters for all proceedings.
Pennsylvania Point System and Philadelphia Drivers
Pennsylvania uses a point system managed by PennDOT to track driver violations. Each traffic conviction carries a set number of points added to your driving record. Common violations like speeding 6-10 mph over the limit add 2 points. More serious offenses carry 3 to 5 points per conviction.
Accumulating 6 or more points triggers a written exam requirement. Failing to pass or reaching 11 points results in a mandatory suspension. The minimum suspension for 11 points is 5 days per point over 10. Drivers with 11 points face at least 5 days of suspension for each point above 10. Convictions in Philadelphia Traffic Court are reported directly to PennDOT for point assessment.
Points can be reduced. Drivers who go 12 months without a violation or suspension lose 3 points. Completing an approved driver improvement course can also reduce your total. Philadelphia drivers with multiple citations should act quickly to reduce their point totals before reaching the suspension threshold.
PennDOT Driving Records for Philadelphia Residents
Your official Pennsylvania driving record is maintained by PennDOT. Philadelphia residents can request a driving record using Form DL-503 through PennDOT Driver License Services. A standard record costs $5 and a certified copy costs $10.
You can submit your request by mail to PennDOT BDL, P.O. Box 69003, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9003. Online and in-person options are also available through PennDOT driver centers. Your driving record shows all convictions, point totals, any active suspensions, and the dates of each entry. It does not include dismissed charges or citations that were found not guilty.
The official Philadelphia city government website connects residents with local services and information related to vehicle ownership and city permits.
Philadelphia city services and PennDOT driver records work together to keep track of all citations and driving history for city residents.
Note: Your driving record is separate from your court record. You may need both if you are dealing with insurance questions or a license suspension matter.
Philadelphia Traffic Enforcement and Court Contact
The Philadelphia Municipal Court handles traffic matters under a structure shared across its criminal and traffic divisions. The court uses 27 law-trained judges to move cases efficiently. Traffic Division operations remain at 800 Spring Garden Street.
For citation help, reach the Traffic Division at 215-686-1676 or by email at tcsupport@courts.phila.gov. The court also provides an ADA accessibility policy and free language assistance for non-English speakers. The Elder Justice and Civil Resource Center operates at City Hall for residents who need broader legal help. The Municipal Court website has full details on the court's structure and services.
<Philadelphia County Resources
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county; all traffic cases filed within city limits fall under Philadelphia County jurisdiction.