Quick Answer
Yes, you can pay for your traffic ticket at the DMV in Florida. The DMV allows you to pay for any outstanding tickets when you go in person to renew your driver’s license, vehicle registration, or conduct other DMV transactions. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Paying your ticket at the DMV resolves the citation so you avoid further penalties or a license suspension.
Paying Traffic Tickets at the Florida DMV
If you received a traffic ticket in Florida, you will likely have a few options for payment:
- Pay online or by mail – Many counties allow you to pay traffic tickets online or by mailing in a check or money order.
- Pay at the courthouse – You can go to the courthouse in the county where you got the ticket and pay in person.
- Pay at the DMV – The Florida DMV allows you to pay outstanding tickets when you conduct other transactions at the DMV like license renewal.
Paying your ticket at the Florida DMV is a convenient option that allows you to resolve the citation at the same time you renew your license or registration. The DMV can process ticket payments statewide for traffic tickets issued in any Florida county.
Here are some key things to know about paying tickets at the Florida DMV:
- You will need to provide the uniform traffic citation number or case number on your ticket.
- You can pay by cash, check, money order or credit/debit card.
- There is a nominal service fee for using a credit card.
- You should receive a receipt showing the ticket was paid in full.
- The DMV will forward your payment to the court that handled the ticket to resolve the case.
Paying your ticket at the DMV prevents further penalties for non-payment, resolves any pending suspension of your license, and keeps your driving record in good standing. It’s a convenient “one-stop shop” to take care of the ticket while also renewing your license or registration at the same time.
Penalties for Unpaid Tickets in Florida
If you do not pay a traffic ticket in Florida or contest it in court, you can face serious penalties:
- Late fees – A late fee is typically added if you do not pay the ticket fine on time.
- Collections – The court may send the ticket to collections after 90 days of non-payment.
- License suspension – Florida will suspend your license if you do not pay the ticket or related fines.
- Arrest warrant – An arrest warrant may be issued for failing to pay fines or appear in court.
To avoid these penalties, it is important to promptly pay any traffic ticket you receive in Florida. Paying at the DMV when you renew your license or registration is a simple way to resolve the ticket and avoid further issues.
Late Fees
If you do not respond to your traffic ticket in Florida by the deadline, late fees will accrue. The initial late fee is typically $25 if you do not pay within 30 days of the ticket’s issue date. Additional late fees can apply the longer you wait to pay or formally contest the ticket. This makes the overall fine and cost of the ticket more expensive over time.
Collections
If you do not pay or contest the traffic ticket after 90 days, the court will send the ticket to collections. This means a collection agency takes over efforts to collect the amount owed. Having a ticket in collections negatively impacts your credit score and appears on your record for up to 7 years. It also means you owe additional collection fees on top of the original fine amount.
License Suspension
One of the most serious penalties for unpaid tickets in Florida is driver’s license suspension. If you do not pay the fines associated with a traffic ticket, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will suspend your license. You will receive notice of an impending suspension and have 30 days to resolve the issue before your license is revoked. With your license suspended, it will be unlawful to drive until you can get it reinstated.
Arrest Warrant
Continuing to ignore an unpaid traffic ticket in Florida can result in a judge issuing a warrant for your arrest. This is a last-resort measure when you fail to pay fines, appear in court, or comply with license suspensions. Getting arrested will result in having to post bail or bond and still needing to resolve the original ticket violation.
How to Renew Your License or Registration with Unpaid Tickets
If your license or vehicle registration is up for renewal in Florida but you have outstanding traffic tickets, you may be wondering if you can still renew with unpaid tickets. In most cases, the answer is yes.
When you go to the Florida DMV to renew your license or registration, they will check for any outstanding issues like unpaid tickets. As long as you are prepared to pay the ticket fines at that time, you will typically still be able to process your renewal transaction.
Follow these steps to renew your license or registration if you have unpaid tickets:
- Verify your eligibility – Make sure your license or registration is up for renewal and you meet the requirements.
- Confirm the ticket details – Look up your ticket to get the citation number and exact amount owed.
- Choose a payment method – Cash, check, money order or credit/debit card.
- Visit the DMV – Go on your renewal date and be prepared to pay ticket fines.
- Pay outstanding tickets – The DMV will collect payment for any unpaid tickets.
- Complete renewal – Once tickets are paid, you can complete the renewal process.
As long as you pay any overdue ticket fines and administrative fees at the time of your visit, the DMV will allow you to renew your license or registration in most cases. This prevents any further penalties and gets your license or registration up-to-date.
Steps to Pay a Ticket at the Florida DMV
If you want to take advantage of paying a traffic ticket when you visit the FL DMV, follow these steps:
- Confirm you have a ticket to pay – Double check your ticket details including the citation number, issuing agency and amount owed.
- Have payment ready – Bring cash, check, money order or credit/debit card to pay the ticket fines and fees.
- Visit a FL DMV office – You can pay tickets when you visit a DMV office in person. Consider arriving early or making an appointment.
- Inform the clerk – When called, tell the clerk you need to pay for an outstanding traffic ticket.
- Provide ticket details – Have the citation number and other ticket details ready for the clerk.
- Make payment – Pay the total ticket fines and fees with your selected payment method.
- Get receipt – The clerk will provide a receipt showing your ticket was paid in full.
Once the DMV forwards your payment to the court, the ticket violation will show up as resolved on your record. Paying at the DMV is an easy way to take care of the ticket so you avoid harsh penalties.
What If I Lost My Traffic Ticket?
If you lost or misplaced your traffic ticket from Florida, you can still pay it at the DMV. Here are some options:
- Search online – Many county court websites let you search for tickets by your license number or name.
- Call the court – Contact the court listed on the ticket to inquire about citation details.
- Visit the courthouse – Go to the courthouse noted on the ticket to inquire in person.
- Call FLHSMV – For tickets issued by the Highway Patrol, call FLHSMV for assistance.
Once you obtain the ticket details, you will be able to pay at the DMV by providing the citation number and amount owed. Having the physical ticket is not required if you can verify the violation information.
Conclusion
Paying tickets at the DMV is a convenient option for resolving traffic citations in Florida. To take advantage of this option:
- Verify your ticket details including the citation number and amount owed
- Have payment ready when you visit the DMV such as cash, check or credit card
- Inform the DMV clerk you need to pay for an outstanding ticket
- Provide the ticket citation number and necessary details
- Pay the ticket fines and fees to receive a receipt showing it’s resolved
Paying Florida traffic tickets at the DMV prevents further penalties, removes pending license suspensions, and keeps your record clear. It’s an easy “one-stop” method for taking care of traffic fines when conducting other DMV transactions.