Traffic Tickets in Florida FAQ

Frequently asked Questions Regarding Traffic Tickets in Florida
A guide to answer all of your questions regarding traffic tickets in the state of Florida

What are the different types of traffic tickets?

When you receive your license you agree to follow the laws of the road and when you do not follow the laws of the road you commit a moving violation. The consequence of a moving violation is a ticket that you will receive which will be documented on your driving record and has a fine that you must pay as a penalty.

The most common moving violations that receive traffic tickets are:

• Speeding

• Careless Driving

• Violation of a Traffic Control Device

• Violation of Right of Way

• Improper Lane Change

• Running a Red Light

• Improper Passing

• Running a Stop Sign

• Failure to Yield

What are the penalties for Speeding?

It is a driver’s responsibility to drive their automobile at the speed limit posted on the roadway that they are driving on. The fines for speeding are:

9 Miles Per Hour (MPH) Over – $76- $81.00

10-14 MPH Over – $137.50- $155.50

15- 19 MPH Over – $158.50- $180.50

20- 29 MPH Over – $178.50- $205.50

30 MPH and Over – $260.50- $305.50

What are the penalties for Careless Driving?

Careless driving is when a driver is operating a vehicle in a way that is potentially dangerous to others, but is unaware of their dangerous actions. Careless driving is not the same as Reckless Driving.

The penalties for careless driving depend on the circumstances of the ticket but are typically, a fine up to $500 and 4 points on a person’s driver’s license.

What is Violation of a Traffic Control Device?

A violation of a traffic control device is when a person does not follow the rules and actions for traffic devices such as signs and signals. The penalties for traffic control device violations differ depending on the traffic control device not followed by the driver.

Common traffic control devices that driver’s get ticketed for are:

• Failure to yield or stop at a stop sign or yield sign

• Running a red light

• Illegal U-turn

• Ignoring flashing lights or portable/temporary signs

• Stopping in the middle of a crosswalk

• Breaking speed limit

• Railroad crossing infractions

 

What are the penalties for a Violation of a Traffic Control Device?

The penalties for not following a traffic control device vary from each device’s violation. The fines for a traffic control device violation are usually between $100 and $300 dollars and three to four points will be added on a person’s driver’s license.

What are the penalties for Violation of Right of Way?

It is a driver’s responsibility to know what signs mean on the road and when they need to yield or stop for other drivers. If a driver does not adhere to the rules when another driver has the right of way, such as at a four way stop, they can be charged with a right of way violation.

A violation of right away citation will add at least three points to an individual’s driver’s license, as well as have a fine that will range between $65.00- $300.00. If violation of right of way results in a pedestrian injury or if an accident occurs, the driver will have harsher penalties.

What are the penalties for an Improper Lane Change?

When a driver changes lanes without an open and clear path, they can be charged with an improper lane change violation.

A violation of an improper lane change can add three points to an individual’s driver’s license and carry a fine between $65.00- $300.00.

 

What are the penalties for running a Red Light?

On a red light, it is a driver’s responsibility to stop their vehicle at the designated line. Florida has red light cameras at intersections that take photographs and video record a driver running a red light at an intersection. The fine for running a red light is currently $158 if caught by the camera. If an officer pulls an individual over for running a red light the fine may be higher.

What if I was not driving my car but the camera caught my car running the red light?

The ticket will still come to you and you will be obligated to pay for it. The red light cameras do not photograph the driver and although it may not be you driving the vehicle it is your car running the light, which means you are responsible.

What constitutes running a stop sign?

When you approach a stop sign you are required to come to a complete stop at the limit line or marked line, this line is typically thick and white. If there is no limit line then you must come to a complete stop at the entrance to the intersection. If you do not come to a complete stop at the limit line or the entrance to the intersection, you will have committed the crime of running a stop sign.

What are the penalties for running a stop sign?

Fines for running a stop sign usually range up to $200 and a person will have 4 points added against their driver’s license. Penalties for running a stop sign will be higher if an accident or injury occurred.

What is failure to yield?

There are numerous ways that you can receive a failure to yield ticket. A failing to yield ticket can relate to any aspect of driving in which you did not yield to another vehicle or pedestrian. Yielding means slowing down or stopping to allow other drivers or pedestrians the right of way. This charge is commonly seen when people do not slow down or stop at a yield sign.

What are the penalties for Failure to Yield?

A failure to yield fine can range up to $500 and even higher if further citations are given, such as reckless driving citations, or if an accident or injury occurs. Furthermore, a failure to yield citation will result in points being added to a person’s license.

What is Florida’s Points System?

Florida has a system set up where a driver who receives a moving violation will also receive violation points against their driver’s license; this is known as Florida’s Driver’s License Point System. The point system is set up to create a safer driving environment throughout the state. If a driver gets too many points in a given time frame their driver’s license will be suspended.

How many points are added for each traffic ticket I get?

Below is a list of the points you will get on your license for each traffic violation:

6 points against your driver’s license

• Speeding that results in an accident

• Leaving the scene of an accident that caused damage

4 points against your driver’s license

• Ignoring traffic control devices or signals (Running a stop sign, running a red light, ignoring a yield sign, ect…)

• Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit

• Reckless driving

• Passing a school bus that has stopped

• Moving violations that cause an accident to occur

3 points against your driver’s license

• Careless Driving

• Violation of Right of Way

• Improper Lane Change

• Not stopping for an Emergency Vehicle

• Improper Passing

• Spectator to Street Racing

Will my insurance go up after I get a ticket?

Yes, insurance rates go up with the amount of points a person has on their license.

How many points can I get before my license will be suspended?

If you get 12 points within a year’s time, your license will be suspended for 30 days. If you get 18 points within 18 months, your license will be suspended for three months. If you get 24 points within 36 months, your license will be suspended for a year.

Should I hire an attorney for a traffic violation ticket?

If you are facing severe penalties or a license suspension you may want to consider hiring an attorney to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Moreover, if you have been unjustly charged with a traffic ticket you should hire an attorney so that they can get your charges dismissed for you and you will not have to pay the ticket or acquire any points on your license.

What type of attorney should I hire for a traffic violation?

You should hire a criminal defense attorney, but before hiring an attorney make sure to do your research and find yourself an experienced criminal defense attorney.