Florida’s Driver’s License Point System

Florida’s Driver’s License Point System

Florida’s Driver’s License Point System

Have you ever received a traffic citation and paid the ticket outright? If so, you likely have points on your license. Accruing excess points on your license within a given period can result in insurance premium spikes of up to 50%, license suspension and even revocation. It’s for this reason that we urge you to fight your traffic tickets no matter how guilty you think you are. That way, even if you don’t get the ticket thrown out, you can at least prevent additional points on your driver’s license.

Since Florida has “reciprocal agreements” with other states, accumulating excess points on your driver’s license can also affect your driving privileges in other states. The same is true if you receive a ticket in another state. Points can be added to your Florida license in these situations as well.

So maybe you’re curious about how your slew of speeding tickets can affect your Florida driver’s license, or you’re merely researching “for a friend.” No matter what brought you here, here’s everything you need to know about Florida’s driver’s license point system for traffic violations.

Violations Warranting Driver’s License Points

Committing traffic violations adds points to your license. The number of points you accrue per violation is predetermined by the state and cannot be exacerbated by aggravating factors. With that said, it’s not uncommon for a single incident to consist of multiple violations. The points associated with common traffic violations are as follows:

6 Points

  • Leaving the scene of an accident with property damage
  • Speeding and causing a crash

4 Points

  • Driving more than 15 mph over the speed limit
  • Committing a moving violation resulting in a crash
  • Failing to stop at a traffic signal
  • Reckless driving
  • Passing a stopped school bus
  • Disobeying a traffic control device

3 Points

  • Driving less than 15 mph over the speed limit
  • Committing a moving violation
  • Improper lane changes
  • Violating child restraint laws
  • Violating the Florida Litter Law

Actions like improper use of the carpool lane and violating bicycle regulations are legitimate traffic violations; however, they do not warrant points on your license.

Penalties for Accumulating Too Many Points

In addition to having to pay the fine for your traffic violation and any civil or criminal penalties you may face, your driving privileges are also at risk. The penalties for driver’s license point accumulation in Florida are as follows:

  • 12-Point Accrual Within 12 Months = 30-day license suspension
  • 18-Point Accrual Within 18 Months = 3-month license suspension
  • 24-Point Accrual Within 36 Months = 12-month license suspension

Driver’s license revocation becomes a possibility once you accumulate 15 minor offenses or three major offenses within a five year period. 

How Long Do Points Stay on Your License?

Points stay on your Florida driver’s license for a total of three years (36 months). However, you can continue to accumulate points on your license after that period, which allows the state to impose additional penalties if necessary. The three-year period begins on the offense date for your conviction.

Certain moving violations allow you to go to traffic school or take a driver improvement class to avoid additional points on your license. These alternatives are extremely beneficial as they can also ensure that your car insurance rates remain unaffected. This is best accomplished, however, with the legal counsel of a seasoned traffic violations attorney.

Orlando Traffic Violation Defense Attorneys

The Orlando traffic violation defense lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm have experience representing individuals facing a range of penalties for everything from fatal DUI accidents to a simple speeding ticket. 

With more than 100 years of experience, we’re aware of the most efficient defense tactics for those accused of committing traffic violations and we can use that knowledge to the benefit of your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and allow us to help ensure that you do not accumulate any additional points to your license.

Florida’s Driver’s License Point System
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