Search Florida Traffic Ticket Records
Florida traffic ticket records are public. The Clerk of Court in each of the 67 counties keeps these records on file. You can look up citations, check fine amounts, and pay tickets online or in person at a local clerk office. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also tracks all traffic violations on your driving record. A traffic ticket creates a record that stays in the county clerk system and on your state driving history. Whether you need to pay a fine, find an old citation, or check your points, Florida gives you several ways to search for and access traffic ticket records.
Florida Traffic Ticket Quick Facts
Florida Traffic Ticket Records Online
Traffic ticket records in Florida are handled at the county level. Each county has a Clerk of Court who processes citations, collects fines, and keeps case files. When a law enforcement officer issues a Uniform Traffic Citation, it goes to the clerk in the county where the stop took place. The clerk enters it into their system. From that point on, the record is tied to your name and driver license number in Florida.
The FLHSMV traffic citations page is the main state resource for understanding how traffic tickets work in Florida. It covers the basics of what happens after you get a ticket, what your options are, and where to go next.
This state page explains the three main choices you have after getting a traffic ticket in Florida. It also links to driver improvement course info and county clerk contacts. The FLHSMV works with all 67 county clerks to keep traffic records current across the state.
Florida uses a system called the Uniform Traffic Citation. Under Florida Statute 316.650, the state supplies a standard citation form to every traffic enforcement agency. Officers can issue these on paper or by electronic means. Each citation gets a unique number you can use to look up your traffic ticket record later at the county clerk office.
Pay a Florida Traffic Ticket
The fastest way to pay a Florida traffic ticket is online. The state runs a portal called PayFLClerk.com that connects to all 67 county clerk payment systems. You pick your county, and the site sends you to that clerk's payment page. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. A small convenience fee applies.
PayFLClerk is the single statewide source for paying traffic tickets in Florida. Mobile users may need to turn off pop-up blockers since the site opens a new window for each county clerk. You can also pay by phone, mail, or in person at your local clerk office. Phone payment lines vary by county. Mail payments go to the clerk office with a check or money order. Never send cash through the mail.
The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers association runs a help page that walks you through the payment process step by step.
This resource from the clerks association explains all payment methods and what to do if your ticket is past due. Many Florida counties also accept cash payments at any AMSCOT location in the state. A small service fee applies there too.
Florida Traffic Citation Options
When you get a traffic ticket in Florida, you have three choices. You must pick one within 30 days of the citation date. If you do nothing, your license gets suspended. The rules come from Florida Statute 318.14, which covers noncriminal traffic infractions and the steps you must take after getting a citation.
The statute spells out your options clearly. Here is what they are:
- Pay the fine and accept the conviction with points on your record
- Elect traffic school for an 18% fine reduction and no points
- Plead not guilty and request a court hearing to contest the ticket
Option one is the simplest. You pay and it is done. But points go on your Florida driving record. Option two costs less and keeps your record clean if you finish the course on time. Option three means you go to court. A judge can dismiss the ticket, reduce the fine, or increase it up to $500 for most violations. School zone and construction zone speeding tickets can go up to $1,000 if you lose in court.
Note: You must contact the Clerk of Court within 30 days of the citation date to pick your option for any Florida traffic ticket.
Traffic Ticket Fines in Florida
Florida Statute 318.18 sets the base fines for all traffic violations in the state. County clerks add court costs and other fees on top of these base amounts. The total you owe on a Florida traffic ticket is always more than just the base fine listed in the statute.
The fine schedule from the statute breaks down like this for speeding in Florida:
- 6 to 9 mph over the limit: $25 base fine
- 10 to 14 mph over: $100
- 15 to 19 mph over: $150
- 20 to 29 mph over: $175
- 30 mph and above: $250
School zone speeding doubles these amounts. Construction zone speeding also doubles the fine when workers are present. A standard moving violation in Florida carries a $60 base fine. Nonmoving violations cost $30. Pedestrian infractions cost $15. Court costs get added to every ticket: $35 for moving violations, $18 for nonmoving, and $4 for pedestrian infractions. If you pay late, there is an extra $16 fee on top of everything else.
Traffic School in Florida
Electing traffic school is one of the best options for handling a Florida traffic ticket. You get an 18% reduction in your fine amount. No points go on your driving record if you complete the course on time. The FLHSMV list of approved traffic schools shows every provider in the state.
There are limits on who can use this option. You can elect traffic school up to five times in your lifetime. You cannot use it more than once in any 12-month period. If you hold a commercial driver license, you are not eligible at all. Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit also blocks you from this choice. You must complete the course within 90 days of electing it and file the completion certificate with the clerk.
Note: The school does not always send your certificate to the clerk for you, so check with your county clerk to make sure they got it.
Florida Driving Records
Your Florida driving record shows all traffic tickets, points, and suspensions tied to your license. The FLHSMV keeps this record. You can check it online through the FLHSMV Driver License Check portal. This tool lets you see the current status of any Florida driver license.
For a full driving history, the FLHSMV offers printed records through its driving record history page. A three-year record costs $14.25. A seven-year or complete history costs $16.25. You can order these at any FLHSMV service center or at some county clerk offices. These records show every Florida traffic ticket on your history, along with points and any actions taken.
Insurance companies and courts often request these records. They are also useful when you want to see how a past traffic ticket in Florida affected your point total. Points from a single ticket range from three to six depending on the violation type.
Traffic Ticket Deadlines in Florida
The 30-day deadline is the most important thing to know about Florida traffic tickets. From the date on your citation, you have 30 days to pay, elect traffic school, or request a hearing. Miss that window and things get worse fast. Under Florida Statute 318.15, the clerk notifies the FLHSMV when you fail to comply. The state then suspends your driver license 20 days after the notice goes out.
The MyDMV Portal is where you can check your license status and handle reinstatement if a suspension has already hit your Florida record.
A suspension stays on your FLHSMV record for seven years. To get your license back, you must pay all fines, the $16 late fee, and a $60 reinstatement charge. That is on top of whatever the original traffic ticket cost. It also takes time for the clerk to process your payment and send clearance to the state. Do not wait. Handle your Florida traffic ticket within that first 30 days and you avoid all of this.
FLHSMV Offices in Florida
The FLHSMV has offices across the state where you can handle traffic ticket matters in person. The FLHSMV locations directory shows every service center, tax collector office, and regional office in Florida.
At these offices, you can get a copy of your driving record, reinstate a suspended license, and take care of other traffic-related needs. The main FLHSMV office is at 2900 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee. Customer service is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. You can call (850) 617-2000 for help. Automated phone services run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For email questions, use the FLHSMV contact form online. Most Florida traffic ticket questions can be answered through these channels or at your local county clerk office.
Browse Florida Traffic Ticket Records by County
Each county in Florida has its own Clerk of Court who handles traffic ticket records. Pick a county below to find local clerk contact info, payment options, and resources for traffic tickets in that area.
Traffic Ticket Records in Major Florida Cities
Residents of major Florida cities handle traffic tickets through their county Clerk of Court. Pick a city below to learn how traffic ticket records work in that area.