Red Light Camera Ticket in Florida

Yes, red light cameras are legal in Florida under the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act (Florida Statute 316.0083), enacted in 2010. However, local governments must follow strict requirements: proper signage, a 30-day initial notice period, and specific due process procedures. Many municipalities have removed their cameras due to cost-benefit concerns, but cities like Miami, Aventura, and several Miami-Dade municipalities still operate them.

It depends on the stage. A Notice of Violation (the first notice you receive) does NOT go on your driving record and carries 0 points. It is treated like a parking ticket. However, if you ignore it and it escalates to a Uniform Traffic Citation after 60 days, it DOES go on your record, adds points to your license, and will affect your insurance rates. This is why acting within the 30-day window is critical.

Ignoring a red light camera ticket is a serious mistake. While the initial $158 Notice of Violation has no points, ignoring it causes automatic escalation to a Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) after 60 days. The UTC carries a $262+ fine, adds points to your license, affects your insurance, and can lead to a license suspension or collections. Additionally, you cannot renew your vehicle registration with an outstanding red light camera violation in Florida.

You have several options: (1) Request a hearing within 30 days of receiving the Notice of Violation to contest it before a hearing officer. (2) Submit an affidavit if someone else was driving. (3) Challenge the evidence quality, signage compliance, or yellow light timing. (4) Hire an attorney to handle the defense. An experienced traffic attorney can review the camera evidence, check for technical defects, and represent you at the hearing, significantly improving your chances of dismissal.

The initial Notice of Violation costs $158 statewide. If you do not pay or contest within 60 days, it escalates to a Uniform Traffic Citation with fines of $262 or more, plus court costs and surcharges. Additionally, the escalated citation adds 3-4 points to your license, which triggers insurance rate increases of $300-$800 per year for 3-5 years. The total long-term cost of an ignored red light camera ticket can exceed $2,500.

The rental car company receives the notice as the registered owner. Most rental companies (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, etc.) will forward the violation to you and charge your credit card the fine amount plus an administrative fee of $25-$50. You can still contest the ticket, but you must act quickly because the rental company may pay on your behalf and charge you. Contact the rental company and request the original notice details so you can file your own contest.

No points are assessed for the initial Notice of Violation ($158). This is one of the key differences from a standard red light ticket issued by an officer. However, if you fail to respond within 60 days and the notice escalates to a Uniform Traffic Citation, you will receive 3 points on your license (or 4 points if it involved an accident). Zero points is another reason to handle the notice promptly rather than ignoring it.

Defense success rates vary, but approximately 2 out of 3 contested red light camera tickets in Florida are dismissed or reduced. Common winning strategies include challenging photo clarity, verifying signage compliance, submitting driver affidavits, and checking yellow light timing against FDOT standards. An experienced traffic attorney can identify the strongest defense for your specific case and significantly improve your odds of a favorable outcome.