Paying traffic tickets online in Florida is often convenient and easy. Most jurisdictions allow drivers to pay eligible traffic tickets online, though the process varies by county and city. Here’s what to know about paying traffic tickets online in Florida.
Benefits of Paying Tickets Online in Florida
Paying traffic tickets online in Florida offers several benefits:
- Convenience – Drivers can pay from home or on a mobile device 24/7. No need to go to court or the police station.
- Avoid Lines – Paying online avoids long wait times in court or at the clerk’s office.
- Proof of Payment – Drivers get instant confirmation and proof of payment.
- No Extra Fees – Most jurisdictions do not charge convenience fees for online payments.
- Installment Plans – Some sites let drivers set up payment plans to pay over time.
Paying online is the quickest, easiest way for most drivers to resolve traffic tickets in Florida. However, it’s not suitable for all citation types.
Types of Tickets Eligible for Online Payment
Drivers can typically pay the following minor traffic tickets online in Florida:
- Speeding tickets
- Stop sign violations
- Red light camera tickets
- Illegal turns
- Lane violations
- Failure to yield right of way
- Expired registration or license
- Broken headlights or taillights
- Texting while driving
- Seatbelt violations
More serious traffic violations like DUI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license usually can’t be paid online. Drivers will need to appear in court for those types of tickets.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket Online in Florida
Follow these steps to pay a traffic ticket online in Florida:
- Review the ticket and note the jurisdiction (city or county) it was issued in.
- Visit the website for that jurisdiction’s clerk of court or traffic violations bureau.
- Search for your ticket by citation number and driver’s license number.
- Select the option to pay the ticket.
- Enter payment details. Accepted payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and sometimes e-checks.
- Save or print the receipt as proof of payment.
Some jurisdictions let drivers set up payment plans online as well. Drivers may need to create an account on the website to access all features.
Deadlines for Paying Tickets Online
Drivers must pay traffic tickets in Florida within a certain timeframe, typically within 30 days of issuance. The precise deadline is listed on the ticket. Drivers who miss the deadline will be charged late fees and have their license suspended if unpaid long enough.
To avoid late fees, drivers should pay online before the deadline. Online payments are usually processed instantly or within 1 business day. Mailing in payments could take 7-10 days to process, risking late fees.
Contesting a Ticket Instead of Paying Online
Instead of paying a ticket online, drivers can choose to contest it in court if they believe the ticket was unjustified. Reasons to contest a ticket include:
- Incorrect information on the ticket
- Disagreement over the facts of the violation
- Procedural errors by the officer when writing the ticket
- Belief the traffic law is unfair or unconstitutional
To contest a ticket, drivers must send a written request for a hearing to the court listed on the ticket before the deadline, typically within 30 days. Drivers can mail this request or submit it in person at the court. The court will then send a hearing date.
At the hearing, the officer will present their evidence about the violation, and the driver can argue their case before the judge. If the judge dismisses the ticket, the driver will not have to pay. But if the judge upholds the ticket, the driver must pay it within 30 days of the hearing.
Checking If You Have Unpaid Tickets
Before paying a ticket online, it’s a good idea to check for any other unpaid tickets or outstanding fines you may have forgotten about in Florida. Having multiple unpaid tickets can lead to license suspension and additional penalties.
Drivers can check for unpaid citations a few ways:
- Clerk of Court Website – Search for tickets using your identifying details on the website of the county or city where you received the ticket.
- Florida DHSMV – Request an official driver’s record from Florida DHSMV that lists any unpaid tickets.
- Court Reminder Letter – Any tickets approaching late status will be sent a courtesy reminder letter.
It’s also a good idea to check your license status using the Florida DHSMV website, to confirm your license is valid and unexpired.
Costs of Paying Traffic Tickets Online
When paying a traffic ticket online in Florida, expect to pay:
- Face value fine amount of the ticket
- Plus court costs and fees, typically around $100-$150
- Plus late fees if paying after the deadline, around $25 per late month
For a basic speeding ticket, expect to pay $150-$200 if paid on time. Red light camera tickets typically cost around $150-$300. Costs are higher for more serious violations.
Getting Receipt and Confirmation
After paying a traffic ticket online in Florida, the website will provide an instant receipt and confirmation number. Save and print these for your records. The receipt proves the violation was paid and can be used to show compliance at traffic school or court if needed.
The court will also have a record of the paid ticket on file. However, keeping your own receipt is wise in case of any errors or discrepancies.
Restoring a Suspended License After Paying Tickets
If drivers in Florida accumulate too many unpaid tickets and fines, DHSMV will suspend their license. Once the tickets are paid, drivers must go through a process to get their license reinstated.
Steps include:
- Paying off all unpaid tickets and fines
- Paying a license reinstatement fee, typically around $60
- Providing proof of valid insurance
- Applying to reinstate the license at a DHSMV office
After meeting these requirements, the license suspension will be cleared, and the driver will regain their driving privileges. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and can lead to additional penalties if caught.
Finding Traffic Ticket Payment Website
Websites for paying traffic tickets online are run by each county and city’s clerk of court office. To find the right website, drivers can:
- Search “[County Name] Traffic Ticket Payment”
- Search “[City Name] Traffic Ticket Payment”
- Visit the county or city’s main website and look for the traffic violations bureau
- Call the clerk of court for a jurisdiction and ask for their payments website
For example, to pay a speeding ticket from Tallahassee, drivers would search for “Leon County Clerk Traffic Ticket Payments”. Popular online payment sites include:
- Miami-Dade County – https://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/traffic
- Broward County – https://www.browardclerk.org/divisions/traffic
- Hillsborough County – https://www.hillsclerk.com/en/Traffic-Ticket-Payments
- Orange County – https://www.myorangeclerk.com/TrafficTicket
- Duval County – https://www.duvalclerk.com/services/court-services/traffic-ticket-payments
Florida Traffic Ticket Payment FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about paying traffic tickets online in Florida:
What if I lost my traffic ticket?
Contact the court listed on the ticket to obtain a replacement copy with your citation number. There is typically a $10 fee for duplicates.
Can I use a credit card to pay a ticket online?
Yes, most Florida traffic ticket websites accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit/debit cards for online payments.
Is there a service fee for online payment?
Typically no. Some jurisdictions charge a small service fee around $2-$5 for the convenience of paying online.
Can I get a payment plan for tickets?
Yes, many Florida ticket payment websites let drivers set up monthly payment plans at no extra cost. Payment plans can make large fines more manageable.
What if I enter my information incorrectly?
Contact the ticket website immediately if you make an error that applies the payment to the wrong ticket. They can void the payment and let you re-enter correctly.
When will a paid ticket show up on my record?
Paid tickets are typically entered into the DHSMV system within 1-2 weeks. Request an official driver’s record to view updates.
Conclusion
Paying minor traffic tickets online in Florida is convenient, fast, and helps drivers avoid additional late fees and penalties. Drivers can pay 24/7 via user-friendly websites run by local county and city clerks of court. However, more serious violations will still require going to traffic court. Check eligibility and payment deadlines closely when paying a ticket online in Florida.