Points and Driving Privilege's Suspensions

Driving in the State of Florida is a privilege. If you break the traffic laws or become an unsafe driver, your license can be taken away. It can be suspended, revoked or canceled. Since Florida has "reciprocal" agreements with most of the other states, the loss or suspension is also applied to those states if you have privileges there, or you have neglected to pay a ticket in another state.

Running a Red Light, Passing a Stopped School Bus, Racing on a Highway, or Reckless Driving

Effective October 1, 2009, Florida requires any operator convicted of Running a Red Light, Passing a Stopped School Bus, Racing on a Highway (including spectators), or Reckless Driving to complete the 4 hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course. All drivers, even CDL holders, are required to complete this course. Failure to complete the course will result in the operator's driving privileges being suspended.

All drivers, except CDL holders and those convicted of Passing a Stopped School Bus on the enter/exit side (court appearance required), may "Elect" to attend the required 4 Hour BDI school in lieu of points. If the violator "Elects" to attend school for the above violations, the Points will be withheld and that Election will satisfy the requirements of F.S. 322.0261(4).

If a violator does not choose to Elect to attend school, Points will be added to their record for 3 years and the Florida DMV will automatically generate a notice advising the violator that they must attend a 4 Hour BDI course (Basic Driver Instruction) School within 90 days from the date of the notice. The notice will be generated and sent to the driver upon information being received at the DMV after the fine is paid. If the driver fails to complete the course within 90 days after receiving notice from the Florida DHMVS, the operator's driver license shall be canceled until the course is successfully completed.

The Point System

Here is the point system for traffic violations in Florida. It's important to remember that a single incident can have multiple violations. Therefore the points added to your record will be equal to the total of each violation.

Example: If your traffic stop included a ticket for "Unlawful Speed -- in excess of 15 mph" AND another citation for not using your turn signal when changing lanes, then you will earn a total of 7 points.

Violation	Points
Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50.00	6
Unlawful speed resulting in a crash	6
Reckless driving, willful and wanton (Criminal Traffic Violation)	4
Passing a stopped school bus	4
Unlawful Speed -- in excess of 15 mph of lawful or posted speed	4
Unlawful Speed -- less than 15 mph of lawful or posted speed	3
Violation of Child Restraint Laws	3
All other moving violations (including parking on a highway outside the limits of a municipality	3
Any moving violation NOT covered above, excluding unlawful speed, resulting in a crash	4
Any conviction under s.403.413(5)(b) Florida Litter Law	3
Violation of S. 316.0741(High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes) or S. 316.2065 (Bicycle Regulations)	0

How long do Points stay on your license in Florida

Points stay on your license for a period of 36 months or 3 years. The time begins on the day the driver pays the fine and the citation clears the county. For drivers that opted to go to court and were adjudicated "guilty", the points start on the day all court ordered requirements are satisfied. It is important to recognize that insurance increases resulting from the Citation will typically remain in effect for at least this 3 year period.

Length of Suspensions

The length of Driving Privileges Suspension varies according to how many points you receive over a period of time. Remember --points stay on your driving record for 3 years (36 months) and are NOT removed after you have served a Suspension.

12 Points within a 12 month period -- 30 day Suspension
18 Points within a 18 month period -- 90 day Suspension
24 Points within a 36 month period -- 1 Year Suspension

Drivers age 15 to 17 who receive 6 points will be restricted to a Business Purposes Only license for 12 months or until reaching age 18. Restriction time is increased by 90 days for EACH additional point that is accumulated.