Bradenton Traffic Ticket Lookup
Traffic ticket records in Bradenton go through the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Bradenton is the county seat of Manatee County with around 75,000 residents. It sits just north of Sarasota on the Gulf Coast. The Bradenton Police Department handles most local enforcement, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office covers areas outside city limits. All citations end up at the Manatee Clerk for processing. You have 30 days from the date on the ticket to respond. As the county seat, the Clerk's main office is right in Bradenton.
Bradenton Quick Facts
Manatee County Clerk Handles Bradenton Tickets
Every traffic citation issued in Bradenton goes to the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk's mailing address is P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206. The main phone number is 941-749-1800. The traffic division has its own line at 941-741-4060. Under Florida Statute 318.14, you have 30 calendar days from the issue date to pay, elect traffic school, or ask for a hearing.
The Manatee Clerk's website at manateeclerk.com has resources for traffic citations including payment options and case search tools. New tickets need 5 to 10 business days to enter the system after the officer writes them. Bradenton shares the 12th Judicial Circuit with Sarasota County, but each county has its own Clerk. Manatee County tickets go to the Manatee Clerk only.
Bradenton Clerk Contact Details
| Office | Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206 |
| General Phone | 941-749-1800 |
| Traffic Phone | 941-741-4060 |
| Website | manateeclerk.com |
Call the traffic division at 941-741-4060 for questions about a Bradenton ticket. Staff can tell you how much you owe and what options remain. Bring your citation and photo ID for in-person visits. Since Bradenton is the county seat, the Clerk's main office is conveniently located in town. Walk-in service is first come, first served during regular business hours.
Bradenton Police and Local Enforcement
The Bradenton Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. Officers patrol major roads like US-41, Manatee Avenue, and Cortez Road. The department uses the standard Florida Uniform Traffic Citation form. After the officer writes the ticket, it goes to the Manatee Clerk. Visit the city website at bradenton.gov for information on local police and city services.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas around Bradenton. FHP troopers patrol I-75 and I-275 through the county. The Bradenton area sees a lot of seasonal traffic, especially during winter when snowbirds arrive. Enforcement stays active all year long. It makes no difference which agency wrote the ticket. All Manatee County citations go to the same Clerk's office for processing, and the same 30-day rules apply.
Paying Bradenton Traffic Tickets
Paying a Bradenton traffic ticket means you plead guilty. Points go on your license for moving violations. Under Florida Statute 318.18, a standard moving violation carries a $60 base fine before court costs. Nonmoving violations start at $30.
Speeding fines follow the statewide schedule. Going 6 to 9 mph over the limit costs $25. At 10 to 14 mph over, the fine is $100. For 15 to 19 mph over, you pay $150. At 20 to 29 mph over, the fine is $175. Going 30 or more mph over the limit means a $250 fine and the court must adjudicate you guilty. School zone and construction zone speeding doubles the base fine. Miss the 30-day deadline and a $16 late fee applies.
Pay online through the Manatee Clerk website or the PayFLClerk statewide portal. Select Manatee County to start. Credit and debit cards work online with a convenience fee. Mail a check or money order to P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206. In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse in Bradenton. Cash at any AMSCOT location has no extra clerk fee. Payment plans may be available in person if you cannot pay the full amount right away.
Traffic School for Bradenton Drivers
Bradenton drivers can elect a Basic Driver Improvement course to avoid points on their license. This gives you an 18% reduction in the fine amount. The court withholds adjudication, so no conviction goes on your record. You must contact the Manatee Clerk within 30 days of the citation to elect this option.
After making the election, you get 90 days from the citation date to complete the course and file the completion certificate with the Clerk. Florida law allows traffic school five times in a lifetime. You can only use it once per 12-month period. CDL holders cannot elect this option. Tickets for 30 mph or more over the speed limit do not qualify. Missing the 90-day deadline means the full fine, a late fee, and points on your record. Find approved courses at flhsmv.gov.
Contesting a Bradenton Traffic Ticket
You can fight a traffic ticket from Bradenton. Notify the Manatee Clerk within 30 days that you want a court hearing. If the judge finds you guilty, the penalty can go up to $500 for most violations. School zone and construction zone tickets have a $1,000 maximum.
Under Florida Statute 318.15, missing the 30-day deadline adds a $16 late fee. If 180 days go by with no response, the Clerk reports it to the FLHSMV. Your license gets suspended. To clear it, you must pay all fines plus a $60 reinstatement charge. That suspension stays on your driving record for seven years. Handling the ticket within the first 30 days is the simplest and cheapest route.
Bradenton Online Records Search
The Manatee Clerk website has online search tools for traffic citations. Look up tickets by citation number or name. The system shows case status, fine amounts, and what options are still available. This is a quick way to check your ticket without a trip to the courthouse.
The PayFLClerk portal also lets you find and pay Manatee County tickets online. The MyDMV Portal through the FLHSMV is where you check your license status and driving record. The Clerk and the FLHSMV are separate systems. The Clerk processes the citation. The FLHSMV tracks your license and points. If a Bradenton ticket caused a suspension, that will show at the FLHSMV portal.
The FLHSMV website lists approved Basic Driver Improvement course providers across Florida.
Bradenton drivers can use the FLHSMV listing to find a state-approved traffic school for their Basic Driver Improvement course election.
The Manatee County Clerk website provides traffic court information, citation lookup, and online payment resources.
The Manatee Clerk homepage gives Bradenton residents access to traffic citation tools and court services.
Manatee County Traffic Records
Bradenton is the county seat of Manatee County. The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all traffic ticket records for Bradenton and every other city in the county. For more details on fee schedules, court procedures, and county resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Bradenton with traffic ticket records pages: