Oct 8, 2025
How Long Do Traffic Tickets Stay on Your Record in Florida?
Got a traffic ticket in Florida? That little slip of paper can feel like a temporary headache, but it often leaves a much longer-lasting mark on your driving record. How long? That’s the critical question.
For a common moving violation, like a speeding ticket, you can generally expect it to stay on your driving record for three to five years. But for a serious criminal violation, like a DUI, that mark can remain for up to 75 years—essentially, a lifetime.
How Long Does a Ticket Really Stay on Your Record?
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Submitting information via any form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
When you receive a ticket in the Sunshine State, it’s not just about the fine. That violation gets logged into your official driving history, a record that insurance companies, employers, and even courts can access. It's this long-term impact that can be most damaging, affecting everything from your insurance premiums to your right to drive.
The first step to addressing the problem is understanding that there’s no single answer. The timeline depends entirely on the type of offense. Florida draws a hard line between minor civil infractions and much more serious criminal traffic violations.
Key Factors That Decide How Long a Ticket Sticks Around
A few key things determine how long that ticket will follow you:
Severity of the Violation: A citation for rolling through a stop sign is in a completely different category than a conviction for reckless driving. The more serious the offense, the longer it stays on your record.
Conviction vs. Withheld Adjudication: This is a crucial distinction. If you’re formally convicted, the violation and the associated points are locked into your record. However, if the court withholds adjudication (often an option if you complete traffic school), you might avoid the points, but the citation itself could still be visible for a period.
Florida Law: Ultimately, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) follows the guidelines set by state law. Florida statutes dictate these retention timelines.
Every state handles this differently. While a three-to-seven-year window is common for minor violations across the U.S., major offenses like a DUI often remain for a decade or more in other states. If you're curious about the broader context, you can review nationwide transportation data to see how various states manage these records.
To give you a clearer idea, here’s a quick rundown of common violations in Florida and how long you can expect them to impact your record.
Florida Traffic Violation Retention Periods at a Glance
Violation Type | Points Assessed | Typical Time on Record |
|---|---|---|
Minor Speeding (Under 15 mph over) | 3 points | 3-5 years |
Reckless Driving | 4 points | 10 years |
Leaving the Scene of an Accident | 6 points | 10 years |
DUI (First Offense) | N/A (Criminal) | 75 years (Lifetime) |
Driving with a Suspended License | N/A (Criminal) | 7-10 years |
This table is just a starting point, as every case has unique details. The main takeaway is that even small infractions can accumulate, and major ones can have consequences that last for decades. Our goal is to protect your license and record. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
What's Really on Your Florida Driving Record?
Ever wonder what your Florida driving record actually contains? Think of it less like a simple list of tickets and more like a detailed report of your entire history behind the wheel. This official document, managed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), follows you for years and tells a story about the kind of driver you are.
This isn't just a file in a government office. It's the primary source of information for insurance companies, law enforcement, and even potential employers. When an insurer calculates your premium, they aren't just picking a number randomly—they're pulling this exact data to assess how much of a risk you represent on the road.
The Nitty-Gritty: What's Included
Your FLHSMV record paints a complete picture of you as a driver. It’s not just about that one speeding ticket you received last year. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll typically find:
Personal Information: Your name, address, date of birth, and driver's license number.
License Status: Whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked, and any restrictions.
Traffic Convictions: A running list of every moving violation where you were found guilty.
Points on Your License: The specific number of points you received for each infraction.
Accident Reports: Details on any crashes you’ve been involved in, particularly if a citation was issued.
DUI Convictions: Any alcohol or drug-related driving offenses, which remain on your record for a very long time.
A clean driving record is a significant asset. It indicates you’re a responsible driver, which can lead to lower insurance rates and fewer legal complications. Keeping it clean should always be a priority.
The points on your license are especially critical. Accumulating too many in a short period can lead to an automatic license suspension. If you want to better understand how this all works, check out our guide on navigating Florida's points system. Our practice focuses on traffic defense, and we aim to help you protect your record.
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
The True Cost of a Ticket on Your Driving Record
It’s easy to think of a traffic ticket as a one-time fine, but the financial impact often lasts for years. The real cost goes beyond the initial penalty, creating a ripple effect on your finances, your right to drive, and sometimes even your career. Understanding these long-term consequences is the first step in protecting yourself.
The most immediate and significant impact for most drivers is an increase in car insurance premiums. Insurance companies view a traffic conviction as an indicator of risky behavior and may adjust your rates accordingly. A single speeding ticket can increase your annual premium by 5% to 10% or more. That rate hike can persist for three to five years, meaning a simple $150 ticket could quietly cost you over a thousand dollars in extra insurance payments over time.
More Than Just Insurance Hikes
While higher insurance is a major concern, the fallout from a ticket doesn't end there. The points that are added to your license can lead to serious legal trouble if you’re not careful.
License Suspension: Florida’s point system is strict. Accumulating just 12 points in 12 months can result in a license suspension.
Employment Hurdles: Many jobs, especially those involving a company vehicle or professional driving, require a clean record. A recent violation could be a reason you don't get a new job or could even put your current one in jeopardy.
Future Violations: With points already on your record, any future ticket carries much heavier stakes. You are closer to a suspension, steeper fines, and increased stress.
The real expense of a traffic ticket isn't just the fine—it's the compounding financial and professional consequences that can follow you for years. Our goal is to protect your license and record from these long-term effects.
Digging into the direct link between speeding tickets and insurance rate increases can help you see the full financial picture. And, of course, understanding what’s at stake is a great motivator for practicing safe driving tips in various conditions.
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Civil Infractions vs. Criminal Traffic Violations
Not all traffic tickets are the same. In Florida, the line between a simple mistake and a serious crime can be thin, but the consequences are worlds apart. It is important to understand the difference between a civil infraction and a criminal traffic violation, because one might cost you money, while the other could lead to jail time and a permanent criminal record.
What's a Civil Infraction?
A civil infraction is the most common type of ticket. This includes everyday mistakes like speeding slightly over the limit, rolling through a stop sign, or failing to wear a seatbelt. While they can have consequences—adding points to your license and potentially increasing your insurance rates—they are not considered crimes. These are handled in traffic court, and the primary penalty is usually a fine.
When Does a Ticket Become a Crime?
A criminal traffic violation is a much more serious matter. This is not just a ticket; it's a misdemeanor or even a felony charge. Offenses like Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Reckless Driving, or Driving with a Suspended License fall into this serious category. A court appearance is mandatory, and the penalties can be severe, including substantial fines, probation, and jail time.
To put it simply, here’s a breakdown of what separates these two types of offenses.
Comparing Civil and Criminal Traffic Offenses in Florida
Aspect | Civil Infraction (e.g., Speeding) | Criminal Violation (e.g., DUI) |
|---|---|---|
Severity | Non-criminal offense | Misdemeanor or felony charge |
Penalties | Fines, points on license, traffic school | Jail time, large fines, probation, license revocation |
Court Appearance | Often optional; fine may be paid online | Mandatory court appearance required |
Criminal Record | No criminal record created | Results in a permanent criminal record |
Long-Term Impact | Stays on driving record for 3-5 years | Can stay on driving record for 75 years or life |
The table makes it clear: the long-term impact on your life is one of the biggest distinctions between the two.
Comparing the Stakes
The real difference becomes clear when you look at how long these marks stay on your driving record. A standard speeding ticket might be a distant memory in a few years, but a criminal conviction can follow you for a lifetime. A first-time DUI conviction, for example, will remain on your Florida driving record for 75 years.
This infographic gives you a quick visual of how long different violations can stay on your record.
As you can see, the more serious the charge, the longer it remains, affecting everything from your insurance rates to job opportunities.
It's also worth noting that these consequences can be amplified by other factors. Systemic biases in traffic enforcement can lead to unequal penalties. For example, one study in Florida found that minority drivers were cited for speeding more often and paid higher fines than white drivers for the same violation. These disparities can make the negative impact of a ticket last even longer. You can read the full research on traffic stop disparities to see the data for yourself. Our goal is to protect your license and advocate for fair treatment under the law.
So You Got a Ticket. Now What?
Seeing flashing lights in your rearview mirror is a stressful experience, but a traffic ticket doesn't have to negatively impact your driving record. In Florida, you have choices. The path you take next will have a real impact on your license, your insurance rates, and your finances for years to come.
It can be tempting to just pay the fine and move on, but that's often the most costly option in the long run. That "easy" route is an admission of guilt, and its hidden costs can follow you for a long time.
Your Three Main Choices
Once a citation is in your hand, you have three fundamental options. Each one has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them before making a move.
Pay the Ticket: This is the path of least resistance, but it results in a conviction. Paying the fine is equivalent to pleading guilty. The violation and any associated points go straight onto your permanent driving record.
Elect Traffic School: For many non-criminal moving violations, you might have the option to take a driver improvement course. If you complete it, the court can withhold adjudication. This means no points are added to your license, which is a huge benefit for keeping your insurance rates from increasing.
Contest the Ticket in Court: You always have the right to contest the citation. Pleading not guilty sends your case to a judge, giving you an opportunity to have the ticket dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense. This is the only option that can potentially prevent the incident from being recorded as a conviction.
The best strategy is often the one that keeps a conviction off your record in the first place. Our entire focus is on protecting your license by exploring every available legal angle.
Figuring out whether it's worth hiring a lawyer versus paying the ticket in Miami really depends on your specific situation. If you need clarity, a consultation with a legal professional whose practice focuses on traffic law can make all the difference.
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Can I Get a Traffic Violation Wiped from My Record?
It’s a question we hear frequently: "Can I get this ticket wiped off my record?" The idea of hitting a reset button and getting a completely clean slate is appealing. But when it comes to Florida traffic tickets, the reality is a little different and often misunderstood.
The hard truth is, for most common tickets, a conviction is permanent.
Civil traffic infractions, which include the vast majority of tickets like speeding, running a red light, or rolling through a stop sign, are generally not eligible for sealing or expungement once you've been convicted. Florida law does not provide a mechanism to hide or destroy these kinds of records after the fact. This is why it is so important to handle a ticket properly from the very beginning.
Sealing and Expungement Are for Criminal Cases, Not Tickets
So where does the confusion come from? People often hear the terms "sealing" and "expungement" and assume they apply to all offenses. In reality, those legal tools are reserved almost exclusively for criminal records, not civil ones.
There is a narrow exception, however. These options can apply to certain criminal traffic violations, but only under very specific circumstances. You might have an opportunity to seal or expunge a criminal traffic charge if your case was resolved in one of these ways:
Case Dismissed: The prosecutor decided to drop the charges against you.
Acquittal: You contested the charge in court and were found "not guilty."
Nolle Prosequi: The prosecution filed a formal notice that they would not be moving forward with the case.
The most effective strategy isn't about cleaning up your record later; it's about preventing the conviction from ever hitting your record in the first place. A proactive approach is your best defense.
Since getting a conviction removed is so rare, your best course of action is to understand how to challenge the citation from the start. To learn more about what that involves, you can explore the different factors that influence the chances of getting a speeding ticket dismissed in our detailed guide.
Our practice focuses on traffic and DUI defense. Our primary goal is to protect your license and your record. Please be aware that submitting information through our website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Florida Traffic Record FAQs
Figuring out the rules around Florida traffic tickets can be confusing. Let's clear up some of the most common questions drivers have about their records.
How Do I Check My Florida Driving Record?
It's a straightforward process. You can order your official driving history directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website.
They offer several options, such as a 3-year, 7-year, or your complete record. It’s a good practice to review your record periodically to ensure its accuracy and see how old violations may still be affecting you.
Will a Ticket From Another State Show Up on My Florida Record?
Yes, in most cases, it will. Florida is part of the Driver's License Compact, which is an agreement among most states to share driver information.
This acts as a data-sharing network for driving records. If you get a moving violation in another member state, they will likely report that conviction back to Florida's FLHSMV. That ticket, and any associated points, could then appear on your Florida record just as if it happened within the state.
How Many Points Does It Take to Get a License Suspension in Florida?
Florida's point system is designed to identify drivers with multiple violations, and reaching certain thresholds triggers an automatic suspension.
Here’s the breakdown:
12 points in a 12-month period can result in a 30-day suspension.
18 points within 18 months can lead to a 3-month suspension.
24 points in a 36-month period can result in a 1-year suspension.
These numbers make it clear why contesting a ticket to keep points off your license is so important for protecting your ability to drive.
Attorney Advertisement. Office in Broward. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Facing a traffic ticket in Florida? Don't let it jeopardize your license or lead to increased insurance rates. Our firm handles traffic and DUI matters across Florida. Our goal is to protect your driving record.
