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Can I get a Florida traffic ticket dismissed if I fight it?
If the ticket is issued anywhere in Florida, the answer is YES. In 2024, one in five moving violations was completely dismissed in traffic court, according to state data.
An additional 37% had traffic court outcomes, which included no points on their license. This means that literally hundreds of thousands of people successfully fight their tickets in court each year.
More than half of the traffic tickets in Florida are challenged in court with successful outcomes. By electing this course of action, drivers collectively save millions in fines and increases to their insurance premiums.
How do you fight a traffic ticket in Florida, and what are my options?
In order to get your traffic ticket dismissed, you first must request a traffic court hearing within 30 days of receiving the ticket (instructions will be on the written citation.) Some individuals choose to represent themselves in court without legal training. However, the majority of these cases are handled by experienced traffic lawyers who handle the process on behalf of clients so they don’t have to spend time in court.
Here are your options:
- Pay the fine
This is the simplest option, but also the one that lingers. Paying means you admit guilt, accept the points on your license, and likely face higher insurance premiums for years to come. It’s quick, but it costs more than money in the long run. - Take traffic school
Florida allows eligible drivers to complete a basic driver improvement course to keep the violation off their record. You still pay the fine, but you avoid the points and the insurance impact. Keep in mind, this can only be done once every twelve months and no more than five times total in your lifetime. - Fight the ticket in court
You can challenge the evidence, question the officer’s account, or negotiate for a reduced charge. Sometimes tickets even get dismissed entirely. You can handle the case yourself or hire an attorney to represent you, often without needing to appear in court. - Do Nothing and risk suspension
If you think you can just wait for the ticket to go away, think again. After a short period of time the state of Florida will suspend your license for not resolving a ticket.
How Much Can I Save By Fighting A Florida Traffic Ticket?
According to reports (Bankrate.com,) a single ticket can increase your insurance premiums upto 15%. Further, drivers with any sort of moving violation(s) on their record could pay up to 50% more than someone with a clean driving record. In dollars, that could amount to well over $1000 more each year.
In addition to the savings from keeping the traffic ticket off your insurance company’s radar, it’s possible to have the ticket fine waived if the case is dismissed. While the amount saved will vary from case to case, the financial benefit is a net positive the vast majority of the times when you use an experienced traffic lawyer.
Why It’s Worthwhile To Hire A Traffic Lawyer To Fight A Florida Ticket?
If you hire an experienced traffic lawyer, you will increase your chances of a successful result and save yourself time and energy by avoiding traffic court. Here’s the argument for why it’s always better to leave this one job for the pros.
Here are the main benefits of hiring a traffic lawyer:
- Increase Your Chances Of A Dismissal Or Reduced Penalty – With an experienced traffic lawyer you can have a 98% chance of a successful result in Florida. This is because they law inside-out and have worked with these traffic courts countless times before your case hit their desk. As we explained in the previous section, a successful result could help you avoid points, insurance hikes and financial penalties.
- Save Hours Of Time – Many people underestimate the amount of time it takes to go to traffic court and represent themselves. The average traffic court session could last 4+ hours and you never know where your case will be on the docket. The easy route is to hire a traffic lawyer who has spent countless hours studying traffic law. He or she will go to court for you.
It’s really that simple, if you value your time, money and legal rights, it’s worthwhile to fight your ticket using a seasoned law firm with a proven track record of resolving these cases.
What Are Common Florida Traffic Tickets and Penalties?
Sure, the fine might feel like a quick fix. Pay it, be done. For starters the fine can sting, but the real damage sneaks up in the form of higher insurance bills, month after month. It’s common to have insurance go up over $1,000 per year just from one violation.
Common Florida Traffic Tickets and Penalties
| Violation | Florida Statute | Description | Approx. Fine | Points on License | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–5 mph over | §316.183 | Slightly over the posted limit | $25–$50 | 0 | Often results in a warning |
| Speeding 6–9 mph over | §316.183 | Minor speeding | $50–$100 | 3 | Common non-criminal infraction |
| Speeding 10–14 mph over | §316.183 | Moderate speeding | $100–$150 | 3 | Insurance impact likely |
| Speeding 15–19 mph over | §316.183 | Above moderate speeding | $150–$200 | 4 | Possible traffic school recommendation |
| Speeding 20–29 mph over | §316.183 | Major speeding | $200–$300 | 4 | Higher fines, possible court |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | §316.183 / §318.19 | Excessive speed | $300+ and mandatory court | 4 | Can lead to license suspension |
| Speeding in a School Zone | §316.1895 | Speeding in an active school zone | +$50 to standard fine | +2 additional | Enhanced penalties and court risk |
| Speeding in a Construction Zone | §316.183(6) | Speeding where workers present | Double normal fine | Same as base | May require court appearance |
| Running a Red Light | §316.075 / §316.0083 | Failure to stop at red signal | $158 (camera) – $260 (officer) | 4 | Camera tickets are non-moving until UTC issued |
| Rolling Through Stop Sign | §316.123 | Failure to stop completely | $125–$200 | 3 | Counts as moving violation |
| Failure to Yield Right of Way | §316.121 / §316.122 | Ignoring yield sign or merging improperly | $125–$200 | 3 | Often cited after minor accidents |
| Improper Lane Change | §316.085 | Unsafe or abrupt lane movement | $125–$200 | 3 | Frequently paired with speeding |
| Following Too Closely (Tailgating) | §316.0895 | Unsafe following distance | $125–$200 | 3 | Common cause of rear-end collisions |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device | §316.074 | Ignoring traffic signals or signs | $125–$200 | 4 | Broad category used for many violations |
| Careless Driving | §316.1925 | Driving without due care | $160–$250 | 3 | Can escalate to reckless if severe |
| Reckless Driving | §316.192 | Willful disregard for safety | $500–$1,000 / court date | 4 | Misdemeanor; possible jail |
| No Seat Belt (Driver) | §316.614 | Failure to wear seat belt | $30–$60 | 0 | Secondary offense |
| Texting While Driving | §316.305 | Texting or typing while in motion | $30–$100 | 0 | 3 points if in school/construction zone |
| Expired Registration | §320.07 | Operating with expired |
What’s the smart move to resolve a traffic ticket and keep it off your driving record?
In a lot of cases, fighting the ticket is actually the best all-around option. You can take this on yourself by scheduling your hearing and going to traffic court. Or hiring a lawyer might sound expensive, but when you consider the time investment and risk of bloated insurance premiums, the math usually favors fighting ALL tickets using a lawyer.
Why is The Ticket Clinic is the most logical choice to fight every traffic ticket?
We are the largest traffic law firm in Florida with over 35 years in the business and 28 real office locations.
Our lawyers have resolved millions of cases with a 98% success rate.
We’re affordable, starting at just $49 having experienced legal help doesn’t have to break the bank.
Hiring us is easy, just text a photo of your ticket to 305305 for a fast and free quote.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us?
The Ticket Clinic Team
We are the largest law firm in the United States to focus soley on traffic-related offenses and traffic tickets. Over +35 years in business, we have developed deep knowledge about traffic court procedure and traffic laws. Our goal is to help keep drivers stay informed about legal issues that could affect them on the road. In our blog content, we like to explore insights in traffic ticket trends and other related issues.
