Traffic Tickets in Florida

SUMMARY: Florida Traffic Tickets

In Florida, you may be able to pay your traffic ticket online, by mail, by phone, or in person, depending on the county in which you received your citation. If you fight your ticket, you'll need to appear in court. If you've lost your traffic ticket, contact the appropriate county court for information.

Continue reading this page for more information on what to do when you receive a traffic ticket and how it affects your Florida driving record.

Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties

In Florida, your traffic ticket fine may vary depending on which county you received your citation. In addition to the fine and having points added to your driving record, you may also need to pay surcharges.

The amount you need to pay will depend on the severity of your violation and the type of traffic ticket you received (e.g., speeding ticket, red light ticket).

For more information about fines and penalties, visit our Ticket Fines & Penalties page.

NOTE: If you accrue too many points on your driving record within 12 months, you may be subject to penalties, such as a license suspension. Our FL Point System page has more information.

Remove Driving Record Points

Completing a basic driver improvement course (if eligible) after you receive a traffic ticket may help to:

  • Reduce or eliminate points from your driving record.
  • Prevent your car insurance rates from increasing.

If you choose this option, you must notify the court handling your ticket within 30 days of being cited.

NOTE: The county clerk will charge you an additional driving school election fee.

Pay a Traffic Ticket in Florida

In Florida, you may have several options to pay your traffic ticket, including:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • By phone.
  • In person.

Check your traffic ticket for specific payment instructions or contact the traffic court handling your case. If you've lost your ticket, see below.

For more information, read our Paying Traffic Tickets in FL page.

Fight a FL Traffic Ticket

If you do not believe you violated a Florida traffic law, you may be able to fight your traffic ticket. Check the ticket for instructions or contact the local county court for more information.

To plead not guilty to a traffic ticket, you'll need to appear in court for a hearing. You may want to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney.

Visit our page about How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Florida for information on how to submit your plea.

NOTE: After your hearing, if the court finds you guilty, completing a defensive driving course could dismiss your ticket or remove driving record points.

Are You Paying Too Much for Car Insurance?

Your car insurance company might increase your premiums if you accrue points on your driving record. Sometimes, all it takes is one moving violation to raise your rates through the roof.

Make sure you're getting the best deal possible by comparing quotes online today!

Lost Your Traffic Ticket?

To replace a lost ticket in Florida, you'll most likely need to deal with the county clerk in the location you were ticketed.

Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) and receive a Florida traffic ticket, you must notify your employer within 30 days of conviction. Depending on the type of violation, you could face a fine, CDL suspension, or even permanent revocation.

For more information about points and suspensions for CDL drivers, please visit our following pages:

Check Your Driving Record

Committing traffic violations usually result in points added to your driving record. Accruing too many points can result in penalties such as, higher insurance rates or a license suspension.

Order your driving record today to make sure it's accurate and no points were added by mistake.

Major Traffic Violations

Serious traffic offenses result in harsher penalties in Florida, such as heavy fines and even an automatic driver's license suspension.

Major traffic violations include:

  • Reckless driving.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident.
  • Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

More information can be found on our DUI/DWI and Suspended License in Florida pages.

NOTE: If you're convicted of a major traffic violation, you may want to hire a traffic ticket attorney.

FL Traffic Tickets: Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information? Visit our Traffic Ticket FAQ page for more information on topics, including:

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