Florida Traffic Tickets: How to Pay, Dispute, and Avoid Penalties
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Traffic citations are already frustrating and stressful, but if you're not sure how to properly deal with one, it can balloon into a bigger problem that may threaten your driving privileges. Every state has different rules and regulations regarding tickets, and if you get a traffic ticket in Florida, you need to understand the process of paying or appealing the ticket. Handling a Florida traffic ticket promptly will avoid additional penalties and ensure you remain compliant with state laws.
Understanding the Consequences of a Florida Traffic Ticket
Getting traffic tickets in Florida may have several consequences. Florida uses a points system that adds points to your driving record every time you get a ticket. If you exceed a certain point threshold within a set time period, you may face a suspension of your license.
Common penalties for a Florida traffic ticket include:
- Fines: From $5 to $500
- Points: Points added to your record may lead to license suspension or criminal penalties
- Traffic school: Drivers who opt to attend driver improvement school may be eligible for an 18% reduction in citation fees and avoid points
- Insurance increases: The cost of your Florida car insurance will likely increase if you incur a lot of points on your record
If you keep getting tickets, you may have to apply for traffic ticket insurance to ensure you meet Florida's mandatory insurance requirements.
How To Pay Your Florida Traffic Ticket
To pay Florida traffic tickets, you have a couple of options. First, you may visit the county clerk's office in the county where the violation occurred to pay the fine in person. Alternatively, you may pay online using the Florida clerk's website.
In Florida, a ticket is considered a civil penalty, and payment of that ticket is a conviction, thereby assessing points to your record if the offense is one that incurs points. If you were cited for driving with an expired driver license or registration, you may also have to show proof of compliance in the form of a valid driver license or registration tags. You can avoid making this mistake by performing a Florida driver's license check.
Disputing a Florida Traffic Ticket in Court
If you feel a ticket was given in error, you may dispute it in the Clerk of Court in the county where the violation occurred to contest the ticket. (Note: Florida uses citation vs. ticket interchangeably. They mean the same thing.) However, if you request a hearing and it's determined that you were in fact guilty, you may incur an additional civil penalty or also be required to complete a driver improvement course.
The Impact of Traffic Violations on Your Driving Record
Accruing points on your record may have several consequences, including the risk of license suspension and increased insurance premiums. These non-criminal charges are frustrating to deal with, so it's important to understand how the system works to avoid penalties. The state website offers a complete breakdown of how many points are assessed for different violations.
How a Florida Traffic Ticket Affects Your Insurance Rates
Different insurance providers have different policies regarding points and your driving record. Like most states, Florida requires proof of insurance to register your car or drive it legally in the state, so it's crucial to have insurance. If points have made your current insurance premiums unaffordable, you shouldn't cancel insurance entirely but rather shop for a new provider.
Practical Tips for Avoiding Future Traffic Violations
Law enforcement agencies have incentives to enforce civil traffic infractions, so there isn't a magic trick to avoiding Florida traffic tickets. Ultimately, it's up to you to observe the rules of the road and be mindful of other drivers. Always drive within the speed limit, read traffic and parking signs, and keep an eye out for police officers on the road to help hold yourself accountable.
Helpful Resources for Florida Drivers
Protect Your Driving Record with the Right Car Insurance
As long as you go through the normal traffic ticket process, you can avoid additional fines and penalties. However, points can still have an impact on your insurance premiums. If you want to avoid upticks in your premiums because of a ticket, you may need to find a policy that forgives certain traffic violations. Use EverQuote's comparison tools to shop and compare policies in real time to find the best one for your needs.