Suwannee County Traffic Ticket Search

Suwannee County traffic ticket records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Live Oak. This rural north Florida county has a population of about 45,000 and covers a large area along the famous Suwannee River. The clerk's office handles all civil traffic infractions written within Suwannee County, including tickets from I-10, I-75, US-90, and US-129. Both major interstates cross through the county, which means the Florida Highway Patrol stays active here. Drivers who receive a citation in Suwannee County can pay fines, elect traffic school, or request a court hearing through the clerk's office.

Suwannee County Clerk of Court

The Suwannee County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all traffic ticket records for the county. The office is at 200 S. Ohio Drive in Live Oak. Call 904-364-3498 for help with your citation. Staff can answer questions about fines, due dates, and the steps you need to take after getting a ticket. Suwannee County sits in the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which also includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, and Taylor counties.

New Suwannee County traffic tickets take a few days to appear in the clerk's system after they are written. Give it about 5 to 10 business days before you try to look up a fresh citation online. If the 30-day deadline is approaching and your ticket still does not show, call the clerk at 904-364-3498. They can look it up by hand and help you figure out the next step.

Paying Suwannee County Traffic Tickets

You have 30 days from the date on your citation to pay a Suwannee County traffic ticket. Florida Statute 318.14 sets this deadline statewide. Missing it means a $16 late fee and the risk of losing your license. There are a few ways to pay your Suwannee County ticket on time.

The easiest option is online. Head to PayFLClerk.com and select Suwannee County. The site takes you to the right payment portal where you can use a credit or debit card. A convenience fee gets tacked on for card payments. You can also pay by mail. Send a check or money order to 200 S. Ohio Drive, Live Oak, FL 32060. Make it payable to the Clerk of Court. Or visit the Suwannee County courthouse in Live Oak and pay in person. Cash, check, money order, and card are all accepted at the window.

The Suwannee County Clerk's website provides more details on how to look up your citation and make a payment online.

Since Suwannee County is a rural area, some drivers travel a long distance to reach the courthouse. The online and mail options can save you a trip. Just make sure your payment arrives before the 30-day window closes.

Citation Options in Suwannee County

Every Suwannee County traffic ticket gives you three choices. You have to pick one within 30 days. The first is to pay the fine in full. This is simple but counts as a guilty plea. Points go on your record. The second is to pay a reduced fine and take a driving course. No points if you finish on time. The third is to fight the ticket at a court hearing.

If you choose to pay the Suwannee County fine outright, the amount depends on the type of violation. Moving violations have a $60 base fine. Nonmoving violations run $30. Speeding fines range from $25 for going 6 to 9 mph over up to $250 for 30 mph or more over the limit. These numbers come from Florida Statute 318.18. Court costs and surcharges get added on top of the base amount for any Suwannee County citation.

If you elect traffic school, you pay the fine with an 18% discount. Then complete a Basic Driver Improvement course within 90 days. The FLHSMV approved school list has all the options. Make sure the completion certificate reaches the Suwannee County Clerk before the deadline.

If you contest the Suwannee County ticket, call the clerk to request a hearing within 30 days. A judge decides the case. If you lose, the fine could go as high as $500 for most violations or $1,000 for school zone and construction zone speeding.

Note: Drivers with commercial licenses cannot elect traffic school in Suwannee County or anywhere else in Florida.

Suwannee County Traffic School Details

Traffic school keeps points off your driving record. That matters for insurance rates and your license status. In Suwannee County, you elect this option by telling the clerk when you pay. You then have 90 days from the citation date to finish the course. The state limits this option to five times per lifetime. You also cannot use it more than once in a 12-month stretch.

Anyone going 30 mph or more over the speed limit in Suwannee County is not eligible for traffic school. The same rule blocks commercial license holders. If you fail to finish the course or get the certificate to the Suwannee County Clerk on time, the election is canceled. Points get added to your record, and you could face more fees. Always confirm the school files the certificate with the clerk, or submit it yourself to be safe.

Suwannee County License Suspension Risks

Failing to respond to a Suwannee County traffic ticket can cost you your license. Florida Statute 318.15 requires the clerk to notify FLHSMV when someone misses the 30-day deadline. FLHSMV then mails a suspension order, and your license goes dead 20 days later. That suspension sits on your state record for seven years.

To get back on the road, you need to clear the full balance on your Suwannee County ticket and pay a $60 reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. The clerk gives you a certificate of compliance once everything is settled. Use the MyDMV Portal to check your license status. The Suwannee County Clerk at 904-364-3498 can tell you what you still owe on the ticket.

Suwannee County Speeding Fine Chart

Speeding fines in Suwannee County match the statewide schedule set by Florida law. Base amounts before surcharges are as follows: 6 to 9 mph over costs $25, 10 to 14 over is $100, 15 to 19 over is $150, 20 to 29 over is $175, and 30 or more over is $250. School zone speeding doubles these amounts. Construction zone speeding also doubles when workers are on site.

Court costs add $35 for moving violations and $18 for nonmoving ones in Suwannee County. The late fee is $16 after 30 days. The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website has general details about traffic ticket fines across all Florida counties.

Nearby Counties

Suwannee County shares borders with several north Florida counties. If your ticket was issued near a county line, look at the citation to confirm which county handles the case. The clerk listed on the ticket is the one you should call.