Complete Payment Guide • 2026 Updated
Florida Traffic Ticket Payment & Information
Everything you need to know about paying a traffic ticket in Florida. Payment methods, fine amounts, deadlines, and why fighting your ticket almost always saves you more money than paying it.
30
Days to Act
$129
Min Fine
$3K+
True Cost
97%
Win Rate
Before You Pay
Payment = Guilty Plea
Paying admits guilt. You cannot fight the ticket after
Insurance Increases 20-40%
For 3-5 years. Costs $900-$4,000 on top of the fine
Points Added to License
3-4 points per ticket. 12 points = license suspended
Free Instant Scan Takes 60 Seconds
Most tickets have defects. Check yours before paying
The True Cost of Paying a Traffic Ticket
The fine on your ticket is just the beginning. Here's what paying actually costs over 3 years.
Cost Breakdown: Paying vs Fighting
If You Pay the Ticket
If You Fight the Ticket
How to Pay a Florida Traffic Ticket
If you still choose to pay (though we recommend fighting), here are the four ways to pay a traffic ticket in Florida.
Pay Online
Visit your county clerk's website. Enter your citation number. Pay with credit/debit card. Available 24/7.
Pay by Phone
Call your county clerk of court. Provide citation number and payment information over the phone.
Pay in Person
Visit the clerk of court office during business hours. Pay with cash, check, money order, or card.
Pay by Mail
Mail a check or money order to the clerk of court. Include your citation number on the check.
Important: Regardless of payment method, paying your traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. Points will be added to your license and your insurance company will be notified. Consider scanning your ticket for free before making any payment.
Florida Traffic Ticket Fine Schedule
Current fine amounts for common Florida traffic violations. Remember: the fine is just a fraction of the total cost.
| Violation | Fine Amount | Points | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1-5 mph over) | $129 | 3 | low |
| Speeding (6-9 mph over) | $204 | 3 | low |
| Speeding (10-14 mph over) | $254 | 3 | medium |
| Speeding (15-19 mph over) | $279 | 4 | medium |
| Speeding (20-29 mph over) | $304 | 4 | high |
| Speeding (30+ mph over) | $379+ | 4 | high |
| Red Light Violation | $158-$277 | 3-4 | medium |
| Stop Sign Violation | $166 | 3 | medium |
| Careless Driving | $166-$500 | 3-4 | high |
| Improper Lane Change | $166 | 3 | medium |
| Following Too Closely | $166 | 3 | medium |
| School Zone Violation | $300-$500 | 4 | high |
Speeding (1-5 mph over)
Speeding (6-9 mph over)
Speeding (10-14 mph over)
Speeding (15-19 mph over)
Speeding (20-29 mph over)
Speeding (30+ mph over)
Red Light Violation
Stop Sign Violation
Careless Driving
Improper Lane Change
Following Too Closely
School Zone Violation
What Happens If You Miss Your Deadline
Florida has strict deadlines for traffic tickets. Here's the timeline of consequences if you don't respond.
Full options available. Pay, elect court, or hire attorney. Best time to act.
Late fees added ($25-$50). Options still available but more limited.
Florida DHSMV sends D-6 suspension notice. License may be suspended.
Driving license suspended. Collections possible. Must clear ticket to reinstate.
Florida County Clerk of Court Websites
Find your county's clerk of court for payment or case lookup.
Miami-Dade County
Largest county in Florida
miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1490033915821
Broward County
Fort Lauderdale area
browardclerk.org
Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach area
mypalmbeachclerk.com
Orange County
Orlando area
myorangeclerk.com
Hillsborough County
Tampa area
hillsclerk.com
Duval County
Jacksonville area
duvalclerk.com
Step-by-Step: How to Pay Online
If you've decided to pay (and you've already scanned for defects), follow these steps.
Find Your Citation Number
Look at the upper-right corner of your Florida Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC). The citation number is a combination of a letter prefix and digits. Write it down or photograph it.
Visit Your County Clerk Website
Go to the clerk of court website for the county where you received the ticket (not where you live). Look for a 'Traffic Tickets' or 'Pay Citation' section.
Enter Your Citation Information
Enter your citation number and verify the ticket details (violation, date, vehicle) match your physical citation. Double-check the amount due including any surcharges.
Select Payment Method
Choose credit card, debit card, or e-check. Some counties charge a convenience fee ($3-$15) for online payments. E-check may have lower or no fees.
Save Your Confirmation
Print or screenshot your payment confirmation and reference number. Keep this for your records. Payment typically reflects on your driving record within 7-10 business days.
Fight Your Ticket Instead
Before you pay a single dollar, let our system scan your ticket for free. Over 60% of Florida traffic tickets have technical defects that can lead to automatic dismissal. No points, no insurance increase, no court appearance.
$35 if we find dismissible defects
$89 for full attorney representation
$69 each when you have 2+ tickets
97% success rate across all cases
0 court appearances required from you
Step 1: Upload your ticket photo
Takes 10 seconds. Snap a photo with your phone.
Step 2: Our system scans for defects
Our system checks 50+ technical defect categories in 60 seconds.
Step 3: We handle everything
If defects found: $35 motion to dismiss. If not: $89 full defense. You never go to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Florida traffic ticket online?
Yes. Most Florida counties allow online payment through the clerk of court website. You'll need your citation number (found on your ticket). However, paying online means you're admitting guilt, accepting points on your license, and triggering insurance increases. Consider fighting the ticket instead.
How long do I have to pay a Florida traffic ticket?
You typically have 30 days from the date of the citation to respond. This means paying, electing court, or hiring an attorney. After 30 days, late fees are added. After about 90 days, your license can be suspended. Never ignore a traffic ticket.
What happens if I can't afford to pay my traffic ticket?
Florida courts may offer payment plans for those who demonstrate financial hardship. You can request one at the clerk's office. However, fighting the ticket ($35 for dismissible violations, $89 for standard defense, or $69 each for 2+ tickets) often costs less than paying the full fine plus insurance increases ($1,200-$3,000+ over 3 years).
Does paying a traffic ticket go on my record in Florida?
Yes. Paying a traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. Points are added to your driving record, your insurance company is notified, and the conviction stays on your record for 3-5 years. This is why fighting is almost always the better financial decision.
Can I pay my traffic ticket and still fight it?
No. Once you pay a traffic ticket in Florida, you are admitting guilt and the case is closed. You cannot fight it after payment. This is why you should always explore your options before paying, including our free 60-second instant ticket scan.
How much is a speeding ticket in Florida?
Florida speeding ticket fines range from $129 (1-5 mph over) to $379+ (30+ mph over). But the ticket fine is just the beginning. Insurance increases of $300-$800 per year for 3-5 years mean the real cost is $1,000-$4,000+. School zone speeding can reach $500+.
Do I get points on my license if I pay a traffic ticket?
Yes. Paying a traffic ticket automatically adds 3-4 points to your Florida driving record. Accumulating 12 points in 12 months results in a 30-day license suspension. Points affect your insurance rates for 3-5 years.
Where do I find my citation number on a Florida traffic ticket?
Your citation number is typically located in the upper-right corner of the Florida Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC). It's a number that starts with a letter followed by digits. You'll need this number for online payment, court appearances, or when hiring an attorney.
Related Guide Topics
Don't Pay Your Ticket Yet
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