Florida Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common Florida traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the point system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed Florida attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common Florida Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in Florida. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 6–9 MPH over 3 points | $115–$135 |
Speeding 10–14 MPH over 3 points | $190–$215 |
Speeding 15–19 MPH over 4 points | $245–$265 |
Speeding 20–29 MPH over Doubled in school zones and active construction zones. 4 points | $270–$285 |
Running a red light Camera-issued red-light fines are typically $158 (no points) under FL statute. 4 points | $260–$280 |
Running a stop sign 3 points | $160–$180 |
Seat belt violation Higher when a child passenger is unrestrained. | $30–$110 |
Texting while driving (primary offense) Hand-held cell-phone ban applies in school and work zones; second offense within 5 years adds 3 points. 0 first / 3 second | $30–$60 |
Driving without insurance Plus license/registration suspension and reinstatement fee ($150–$500). | $150–$500 |
🎯How Florida's Point System Works
Florida assesses points to your driving record for most moving violations — typically 3 points for moderate violations and 4 points for more serious ones (running a red light, leaving the scene of a crash, speeding 15+ over). Points stay on your record for at least 5 years.
12 points in 12 months = 30-day suspension; 18 points in 18 months = 3-month suspension; 24 points in 36 months = 1-year suspension.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) — eligible up to 5 times in your lifetime, no more than once in 12 months. Course costs $25–$35 plus court election fee. Successful completion prevents the points from being assessed and keeps your insurance rate from being adjusted by that ticket.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%–40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300–$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a Florida Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every Florida citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where eligible) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to a Florida attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in Florida, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
🔗Official Florida Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources Florida courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: Florida License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a Florida driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View Florida License Cost BreakdownNeed Your Florida Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step Florida driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full Florida Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available Florida statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official Florida source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed Florida attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), any Florida court, or any law enforcement agency.