Traffic Ticket Attorney

What You Need To Know About Florida’s Operation Greenlight

October 2, 2024

Operation Green Light is an initiative by Florida’s clerks of court, held in many counties across the state. Most areas hold their events in the springtime and they typically run for two weeks in duration. That said Miami-Dade, with the most traffic citations, holds its event in the Fall.

The program is specifically designed to help people address their fines by offering significant discounts on fees. Keep in mind this is ONLY for tickets that are in collections and past their due dates.

Operation Greenlight Miami Dade County Ends Oct 6th.

The program is currently underway in Miami Dade. This is a great opportunity to save on collection fees if your tickets are with this county but you need to act fast.

The following courthouses in Miami can help you get started. Just visit from 9:00am-4:00pm. Some offices even offer extended hours. Check here for all the info. You can also Email: OGL@miamidadeclerk.gov or call 786-812-4213.

*Extended hours of operation:
  Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Why It’s a Lifeline for Many

In Florida, an astonishing number of drivers face license suspension each year for things that aren’t even related to reckless driving. Many times, not being able to afford paying at ticket on time is a contributing factor. Then late fees start stacking up making it harder to pay. Eventually, the non-payment will lead to a license suspension.

In 2023, over 30,000 people were charged for driving with a suspended license. You have to wonder how many of these people ended up with more serious charges because they were unable to deal with the financial burden of a ticket and massive collection fees?

By wiping away some of those hefty collection fees (which are often 25% of the amount owed) and allowing people to set up affordable payment plans, this program can be a godsend. Last year in Miami Dade County alone, 5500 people took advantage of the program saving over $275,000 collectively in fees.

How Does It Work?

Operation Green Light isn’t complicated. Each year, during a specific period, you can visit your county courthouse or access their website and take part in the program. It’s an event organized by each Florida county, so the process can slightly vary depending on where you live, but the goal remains the same everywhere: give people a chance to clear their debts and get their driver’s licenses reinstated. Take a look at this list from 2024 of OGL dates from around Florida. Chances are the individual counties will run their programs during the same period annually.

What’s important here is that you’ll be able to pay off your overdue tickets and court fees without the usual collections fee tacked on. That’s a significant saving right there. Some counties even offer additional discounts on the fines themselves, and many will allow you to set up a payment plan if you can’t pay everything at once. You pay a portion, they work out the rest with you. No insane interest, no extra hoops to jump through.

Why Should You Take Advantage?

First off, it saves you money—plain and simple. If you’ve been struggling to clear an old ticket or two, those collections fees that grow every time you miss a payment add up fast. Paying off just the original fine during Operation Green Light wipes away that financial stress, often cutting your total debt down dramatically.

But even beyond the money aspect, there’s the peace of mind. Driving with a suspended license is not only nerve-wracking, but it’s also a legal risk. You get caught driving with a suspended license, and suddenly, you’re looking at criminal charges. It’s a dangerous cycle to be in. And if you’re living in a state like Florida, where public transportation can be lacking, driving is almost essential. Most people can’t afford to lose that independence or face jail time just because they couldn’t pay a fine.

This program gives you a safe and structured way to get your life back on track. It’s not a “get out of jail free” card, but it’s the next best thing. You pay what you can, and you start fresh. Imagine waking up the next day, knowing you can legally drive again without that sinking fear of being pulled over and arrested?

Don’t Miss Out

Operation Green Light only comes around once a year. If you’re sitting on an old ticket don’t wait until the situation gets worse. This program was designed for you—to help you clear those debts, get back on the road, and finally get a fresh start. It’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often, so take it. You’ll walk away with a reinstated license and, more importantly, a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.

If you’ve been tangled up with overdue fines, this might be the moment you’ve been waiting for all year—don’t let it pass you by.