In Florida, receiving a traffic ticket can lead to points being added to your driver’s license. Accumulating too many can result in the loss of your driving privileges. This article explains how the point system works, how long points impact your license, and what you can do to manage them.
Understanding Florida’s Driver’s License Point System
The driver’s license point system in Florida is designed to identify drivers who repeatedly violate traffic laws. When a driver is convicted of a moving violation, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) adds a specific number of points to their record. The system is a graduated scale, meaning more serious offenses result in a higher point assessment.
For example, common violations like speeding up to 15 miles per hour over the limit or failing to yield the right-of-way will result in three points. A conviction for violating a traffic control signal, such as running a red light, adds four points to a license. More severe infractions, such as leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, will lead to six points being assessed against your driving record.1The Florida Senate. Chapter 322 Section 27 – 2024 Florida Statutes
Timeframes for Point Accumulation Leading to Suspension
The consequence of accumulating points is the potential for license suspension. Florida law outlines thresholds for suspension based on how many points are gathered within specific “rolling” time periods. This calculation looks backward from the date of your most recent conviction, not on a calendar year basis.
If a driver accumulates 12 points within any 12-month period, their license will be suspended for 30 days. A driver who gathers 18 points within an 18-month timeframe will face a three-month suspension. A driver who amasses 24 points within a 36-month period will have a one-year suspension.2The Florida Senate. Chapter 322 Section 27 – 2024 Florida Statutes
Once a suspension period is served, the points that caused it are not removed from the driver’s record. To get their license back, a driver must complete an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course and pay a reinstatement fee plus any other applicable licensing fees.
How Long Points Remain on Your Driving Record
There is a difference between how long points count toward a suspension and how long they stay on a driving record. While the timeframes for suspension are 12, 18, and 36 months, the points themselves remain visible on your official Florida driving record for a much longer period. For most traffic convictions, these points will be listed on your record for at least five years from the conviction date.
This extended visibility means that even after a point is too old to contribute to a new suspension, it can still have other consequences. Insurance companies review driving records to set premium rates, and a history of violations can lead to higher costs. Additionally, employers for jobs that require driving will check these records, and a history of points can impact hiring decisions.
Options to Mitigate Points and Avoid Suspension
After receiving a traffic citation, drivers in Florida have an option that can prevent points from being added to their license. By electing to attend a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, also known as traffic school, a driver can avoid the conviction and the associated points. This election must be made within 30 days of receiving the citation by notifying the Clerk of Court in the county where the ticket was issued and paying the fine.
Eligibility for this option has limitations. A driver may elect to attend traffic school once in any 12-month period and no more than five times in their lifetime.3The Florida Senate. Chapter 318 Section 14 – 2021 Florida Statutes This option is not available for criminal traffic violations or for those who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Upon successful completion of an approved BDI course, the state will withhold adjudication, meaning you are not formally convicted and no points are added.4The Florida Senate. Chapter 318 Section 14 – 2021 Florida Statutes
Checking Your Current Point Status in Florida
To find out how many points are on your license, you can obtain your official driving record from the FLHSMV. The Online Driver License Check on the FLHSMV website can provide a current status at no cost. For a more detailed history, you can purchase a 3-year, 7-year, or complete driver record online.
These official records can also be requested in person at a driver license service center or from the Clerk of Court in many counties. There is a fee for a copy of your full record, which will provide a detailed account of every citation, the date of conviction, and the number of points that were assessed.