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1. Can I keep my traffic ticket “off my record”?

If you have received a traffic infraction, you may be eligible for a deferral. By successfully completing a deferral, the Court will not report your ticket to the Department of Licensing. Review more about deferrals:

• You may defer only one moving and one non-moving infraction every seven years.
• The length of the deferral is one year.
• To complete your deferral, you must pay an administrative fee and not commit a new traffic violation for one year.
• If you commit a new traffic infraction during your deferral or fail to pay the administrative fee, the Court will report your deferred ticket as a conviction to the Department of Licensing.

2. How do I request a deferral of infraction?

To request a deferral, you may appear at the court or send in a mail request form (PDF) and submit the fee of $150.

3. When must I appear to request a deferral?

You must request the deferral at the clerk’s counter or by mail within 15 days of your violation date.

4. What does it cost to defer my infraction?

Instead of paying the face amount of your traffic infraction, you must pay a $150 administrative fee. The Court uses this fee to check your eligibility for deferral and to monitor your compliance with deferral terms.

5. What if I fail to pay the administrative fee for my deferral?

The Court will end your deferral. You will be responsible for the face amount of your traffic infraction and the court will report to the Department of Licensing that you committed your traffic violation. In addition, a $52 penalty will be assessed against you, a case FTA ordered, and notification sent to the Department of Licensing to begin processing your driver’s license for suspension.

6. What if I commit a new traffic violation?

The Court will end your deferral and will report to the Department of Licensing that you committed your traffic infraction, and you will be sent a bill for the amount of fine indicated on your ticket.

7. What infractions do not qualify for deferral?

The Court does not allow deferral for the following:

• 20 miles per hour (MPH) or more over the Speed Limit at court’s discretion 
• 30 MPH or more over the Speed Limit
• Any Infraction Where a Fatality Occurred
• Child Restraint Violations
• Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle
• If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) you may not defer any ticket
• Intermediate Driver’s License
• Negligent Driving 2nd Degree (depending on facts) 
• No Valid Driver’s License
• Passing a School Bus
• Speeding in a Construction Zone
• Speeding in a School Zone

8. Do I qualify to enter a deferral?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you do not qualify to defer your infraction:

• Have you entered a deferral program on any infraction in the State of Washington within the last 7 years?
• Do you possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) - active and inactive - in any State?
• Were you cited while driving a vehicle requiring a Commercial Driver’s License endorsement?
• Do you possess an intermediate license?

9. May I download the deferral form and fill it out at home?

Yes. Review the Deferred Infraction Order Form (PDF).