New Florida Law • 2026 Updated
Florida Super Speeder Law: What You Need to Know
Florida has elevated extreme speeding to a criminal offense. Driving 50+ MPH over the limit or 100+ MPH on any road is no longer just a ticket — it is a misdemeanor crime carrying jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record.
50+ MPH
Over the Limit
90 Days
Max Jail Time
Criminal
Permanent Record
Critical Warning
This Is a Criminal Charge
If you have been charged under the Super Speeder Law, this is a CRIMINAL charge — not just a traffic ticket. You need legal representation immediately.
You cannot just pay a fine online
You must appear in court or have an attorney appear
A conviction creates a permanent criminal record
Ignoring it leads to a bench warrant for your arrest
Know the Thresholds
What Triggers the Super Speeder Law?
The Florida Super Speeder Law establishes two independent thresholds. Meeting either one is enough to face criminal charges.
Threshold 1
50+ MPH Over the Limit
Driving 50 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit on any Florida road triggers a criminal Super Speeder charge.
Examples:
35 MPH zone → caught at 85 MPH = 50 over
45 MPH zone → caught at 96 MPH = 51 over
55 MPH zone → caught at 108 MPH = 53 over
Threshold 2
100+ MPH Any Road
Driving 100 miles per hour or faster on any Florida road is automatically a criminal offense, regardless of the posted speed limit.
Examples:
70 MPH highway → caught at 100 MPH = Super Speeder
65 MPH highway → caught at 105 MPH = Super Speeder
The posted limit does not matter at 100+ MPH
Criminal Penalties
Super Speeder Penalties: 1st vs 2nd Offense
Penalties escalate significantly for repeat offenders. A second Super Speeder offense within five years carries dramatically harsher consequences.
First Offense
1st Super Speeder
Up to 30 Days Jail
County jail for a first-time criminal speeding offense
Up to $500 Fine
Plus court costs and surcharges (total often exceeds $1,000)
6 Points on License
Halfway to a 30-day suspension from a single violation
Mandatory Court Appearance
Cannot pay online; must appear or send attorney
Second Offense (Within 5 Years)
2nd Super Speeder
Up to 90 Days Jail
Triple the jail time of a first offense
Up to $1,000 Fine
Plus court costs, surcharges, and potential probation fees
License Revocation
Your driving privileges may be revoked entirely
6 Points on License
Combined with first offense, likely triggers suspension
Understand the Difference
This Is NOT a Regular Speeding Ticket
A Super Speeder charge is fundamentally different from a standard speeding ticket. Here is what makes it so much more serious.
Permanent Criminal Record
A conviction creates a criminal record that follows you permanently. Unlike civil infractions, criminal misdemeanors appear on background checks for employment, housing, and professional licensing applications indefinitely.
Mandatory Court Appearance
You cannot resolve a Super Speeder charge by paying a fine online or by mail. You must appear before a judge in person or have a licensed attorney appear on your behalf. Failure to appear results in an arrest warrant.
Employment & Housing Impact
Employers and landlords routinely run criminal background checks. A criminal traffic conviction can disqualify you from jobs requiring a clean record, security clearances, government positions, and many rental applications.
Insurance Increase (40%+)
A criminal speeding conviction typically triggers a 40% or greater increase in auto insurance premiums. Some insurers will drop coverage entirely. The surcharge persists for 3 to 5 years, costing thousands of dollars in additional premiums over time.
| Factor | Regular Speeding Ticket | Super Speeder (Criminal) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Charge | Civil Infraction | Criminal Misdemeanor |
| Jail Time | None | Up to 90 days |
| Criminal Record | No | Yes (Permanent) |
| Court Appearance | Optional (can pay online) | Mandatory |
| Background Check | Does not appear | Appears permanently |
| Insurance Impact | Moderate increase | 40%+ increase or dropped |
Fight Back
Defense Strategies for Super Speeder Charges
A Super Speeder charge is serious, but it is not unbeatable. These are proven defense strategies our attorneys use to get charges reduced or dismissed.
Radar/LIDAR Calibration Challenge
Speed detection equipment must be calibrated according to manufacturer specifications on a regular schedule. We demand calibration records and maintenance logs. If the device was overdue for calibration or records are incomplete, the speed reading may be inadmissible.
Speedometer Accuracy Defense
Your vehicle's speedometer may have been inaccurate due to tire size changes, mechanical issues, or factory defects. A certified speedometer calibration test can demonstrate that your actual speed was lower than what you believed you were traveling.
Emergency Circumstances
Florida law recognizes necessity as a defense. If you were speeding due to a genuine emergency, such as rushing someone to the hospital, fleeing a dangerous situation, or responding to an urgent threat to safety, this may serve as a valid legal defense.
Challenging Officer's Visual Estimate
Officers often estimate speed visually before confirming with equipment. If the initial visual estimate was the primary basis for the stop, we can challenge the officer's training, experience, and the conditions under which the estimate was made.
Procedural Errors in Citation
The citation must contain accurate information: correct statute numbers, proper location, accurate vehicle description, valid officer signature, and proper service. Any procedural defect can be grounds for dismissal or reduction of the charge.
Prosecution Negotiation
An experienced attorney may negotiate with the state attorney to reduce the criminal Super Speeder charge to a standard civil speeding infraction. This eliminates jail time, avoids a criminal record, and significantly reduces the long-term consequences.
Time Is Critical
The sooner you engage an attorney, the more defense options are available. Evidence such as radar calibration records, dashcam footage, and witness statements must be preserved quickly. Do not wait until your court date to seek representation.
Real Consequences
How a Super Speeder Conviction Impacts Your Life
The consequences of a criminal speeding conviction extend far beyond fines and jail time. Here is what is really at stake.
Employment Consequences
Disqualification from jobs requiring clean criminal record
Loss of CDL or commercial driving privileges
Security clearance revocation or denial
Termination from positions with driving requirements
Insurance Consequences
Premium increases of 40% or more for 3 to 5 years
Policy cancellation or non-renewal by current insurer
Forced into high-risk insurance pool with limited coverage
Total additional cost: $5,000 to $15,000+ over surcharge period
Professional License Impact
Nursing, medical, and healthcare license review or denial
Real estate, insurance, and financial license complications
Teaching certification review by the state board
Bar admission complications for law students
Criminal Background Checks
Visible on all standard criminal background checks
Rental application denials and housing difficulties
Immigration consequences for non-citizens
Firearm purchase complications under state law
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About the Super Speeder Law
What is the Florida Super Speeder Law?
The Florida Super Speeder Law is a criminal traffic statute that elevates extreme speeding from a civil infraction to a criminal misdemeanor. It applies when a driver exceeds the posted speed limit by 50 or more miles per hour, or drives at 100 MPH or faster regardless of the posted limit. Unlike regular speeding tickets, a Super Speeder charge carries potential jail time, mandatory court appearances, and a permanent criminal record.
What speed triggers a Super Speeder charge in Florida?
Two thresholds trigger a Super Speeder charge: (1) driving 50 or more MPH over the posted speed limit on any road, or (2) driving 100 MPH or faster regardless of what the posted speed limit is. For example, going 85 MPH in a 35 MPH zone (50 over) or driving 100 MPH on a highway with a 70 MPH limit would both qualify.
Can you go to jail for speeding 100 MPH in Florida?
Yes. Under the Super Speeder Law, driving 100 MPH or faster is a criminal misdemeanor. A first offense carries up to 30 days in county jail and a $500 fine. A second offense within five years carries up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and possible license revocation. This is a criminal charge that results in a permanent record.
Is a Super Speeder charge a criminal offense in Florida?
Yes. Unlike standard speeding tickets, which are civil infractions in Florida, a Super Speeder violation is classified as a criminal traffic misdemeanor. This means you will have a criminal record if convicted, you must appear in court (you cannot simply pay the fine online), and the charge can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and insurance rates.
What is the penalty for going 50 MPH over the speed limit in Florida?
Going 50 or more MPH over the posted speed limit triggers the Super Speeder Law. First-offense penalties include up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, 6 points on your driving record, a mandatory court appearance, and a permanent criminal record. Second offenses within five years carry up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Can a lawyer help beat a Super Speeder charge in Florida?
An experienced traffic defense attorney can significantly improve your outcome. Common defenses include challenging radar or LIDAR calibration records, questioning the officer's training and certification, disputing the accuracy of the speed measurement, raising procedural errors in the citation, and negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges. Many Super Speeder cases are reduced to civil infractions or dismissed entirely with proper legal representation.
Does a Florida Super Speeder conviction show up on a background check?
Yes. Because a Super Speeder charge is a criminal misdemeanor, a conviction will appear on criminal background checks. This can affect job applications, housing applications, professional license renewals, security clearances, and more. Unlike civil traffic infractions, a criminal conviction cannot be easily removed from your record.
How many points does a Super Speeder violation add in Florida?
A Super Speeder conviction adds 6 points to your Florida driving record. Under Florida's point system, accumulating 12 points within 12 months results in a 30-day license suspension, 18 points within 18 months triggers a 3-month suspension, and 24 points within 36 months results in a 1-year suspension. The 6 points from a Super Speeder charge put you halfway to a suspension from a single violation.
Learn More
Related Guides
Can You Go to Jail for a Traffic Ticket?
When traffic tickets become criminal charges and what jail time you could actually face in Florida.
Read GuideFlorida Traffic Ticket Point System
Understand how points accumulate, suspension thresholds, and how a Super Speeder adds 6 points instantly.
Read GuideHow to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Miami
Step-by-step defense guide for contesting traffic citations in Miami-Dade County courts.
Read GuideCriminal Charges Require Criminal Defense
Don't Face a Super Speeder Charge Alone
A criminal speeding conviction follows you for life. Our experienced traffic defense attorneys have successfully reduced and dismissed Super Speeder charges throughout Florida.
Every day you wait is a day closer to your court date without a defense strategy.