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Florida Traffic Tickets: How to Pay, Dispute, and Avoid Penalties

Learn how to handle a Florida traffic ticket, including steps for paying fines, challenging tickets, and avoiding penalties. Get the info you need today.

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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.

FAQs

How do I check if I have traffic tickets online in Florida?
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If you're not sure if you have any traffic tickets, you can use the traffic ticket lookup in Florida on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website to see any outstanding tickets, late fees owed, and estimate the points on your record.
What happens when you get a traffic ticket in Florida?
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There may be several consequences for getting a ticket in Florida. First, you'll likely have to pay a fine. Second, once you've paid the fine, you'll get points added to your record. If you accrue enough points, you may face additional penalties like license suspension or mandatory driver improvement school. You may also face increased premiums from your insurance provider.
How many traffic tickets before suspension in Florida?
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The number of traffic tickets you get before your Florida license is suspended depends on the type of violation, as different violations have different point values. If you get 12 points within 12 months, you'll get a 30-day license suspension. 18 points within 18 months results in a three-month suspension, while 24 points within 36 months results in a one-year suspension.
Do traffic tickets go on your record in Florida?
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Yes, as soon as you pay a traffic ticket, it's considered a civil conviction that goes on your driving record. If you wish to contest a ticket, you can do so by visiting the Clerk of Court in the county where the violation occurred.