Important • Know the Consequences
What Happens If You Don't Pay a Traffic Ticket
Not paying a traffic ticket in Florida leads to serious consequences: license suspension, late fees, and more. Here's the complete timeline and what you can do about it.
30
Days to Act
$79
Late Fee
D6
Suspension
Act Now to Avoid
License Suspension
Can't drive legally until reinstated
Additional Fees
Late fees, reinstatement fees add up fast
More Penalties
Driving on suspended = criminal charge
We Can Help
Even if late, we may be able to reopen your case
Timeline: What Happens When You Don't Pay
You Receive Your Traffic Ticket
The date on your ticket is Day 0. You now have 30 days to respond. Mark this date on your calendar immediately. Don't wait until Day 29 - act as soon as possible.
Grace Period: You Can Still Fight or Pay
During these 30 days, you have three choices: pay the ticket (admits guilt), go to court yourself, or hire an attorney. Our free AI scan takes 60 seconds and finds dismissible defects. If we find defects, we can get it dismissed for $35. This is your best window to act.
First Late Fee: Additional $79
If you haven't responded by Day 30, an automatic late fee of $79 gets added to your ticket. Your total cost just went up. You can still fight the ticket at this stage, but now you owe more money. The court also sends a notice to your address.
D6 License Suspension Issued
After 60 days of non-payment, Florida DMV issues a D6 suspension. Your driver's license is now suspended. You cannot legally drive. If you drive anyway, you can be arrested for driving on a suspended license (a criminal charge). Insurance companies are notified. Getting your license back requires paying all fees, fines, and a reinstatement fee ($45-$95).
More Penalties and Collection Actions
After 90 days, additional penalties may be added. Your case may be sent to collections, affecting your credit score. If you have multiple unpaid tickets, each one gets a D6 suspension. You may face arrest warrants in some cases. The total cost keeps growing: original fine + late fees + reinstatement fee + possible collection fees.
Total Cost If You Don't Pay
Cost Breakdown (Example: $200 Ticket)
- Original fine:$200
- Late fee (after 30 days):+$79
- Reinstatement fee:+$45-$95
- Insurance increase (3 years):+$900-$2,400
- Total cost:$1,224-$2,774
Cost If You Fight It
- Free AI ticket scan:$0
- If dismissible (we find defects):$35
- If not dismissible:$89
- Insurance increase:$0 (if dismissed)
- Total cost:$35-$89
You save: $1,135-$2,685 by fighting!
💡 The math is simple: Fighting your ticket costs $35-$89. Not fighting costs $1,200-$2,700+. Even if you don't win, you often save money by trying.
Already Late? Here's How to Fix It
If you missed the 30-day deadline or already have a suspended license, don't panic. There are still options to fix the situation.
If You're 1-30 Days Late
Pay the late fee and still fight the ticket. We can still file a motion to dismiss or attend court for you. The original ticket may still be dismissible even with the late fee.
If Your License is Already Suspended
We can help reinstate your license. First, we resolve the ticket (pay, fight, or negotiate). Then we handle the reinstatement paperwork with DHSMV. Starting at $89.
If You Have Multiple Unpaid Tickets
Each ticket gets its own D6 suspension. We can consolidate them and create a payment plan or fight them all together. Volume discounts available ($70/ticket for multiple).
If You Can't Afford to Pay Everything
Tell us. Many courts offer payment plans. We can negotiate on your behalf. Some tickets may be dismissed entirely, eliminating the cost. Let us analyze all your tickets first.
Common Questions About Unpaid Tickets
Will I go to jail for not paying a traffic ticket?
Not directly. Traffic tickets are civil matters, not criminal. But if you drive on a suspended license (which happens if you don't pay), THAT can lead to arrest. Driving on suspended is a criminal charge with possible jail time.
Can they issue a warrant for unpaid tickets?
In Miami-Dade, most traffic tickets don't result in warrants. They result in D6 license suspension instead. But if you fail to appear in court (after electing to attend), a bench warrant can be issued. Don't ignore court dates.
What is a D6 suspension?
D6 is the code Florida DMV uses for suspensions due to unpaid traffic tickets. It means your license is suspended until you pay the ticket and pay a reinstatement fee. You cannot legally drive during a D6 suspension.
How much does it cost to reinstate my license?
The reinstatement fee is $45-$95 depending on how many suspensions you have. Plus you must pay all outstanding ticket fines and late fees. Total can be $200-$1,000+. Fighting the original ticket (before suspension) is much cheaper.
Can I still fight the ticket after it's late?
Sometimes yes. If you haven't paid yet, we may be able to reopen the case and fight it. If you already paid, no - paying means you admitted guilt. Contact us ASAP if you're late. We've helped many people in this situation.
Related Guides
Don't Let It Get Worse - Act Now
Free ticket scan finds dismissible defects. Even if you're late, we can help. Call now or scan your ticket.