How Does the Florida Traffic Violation Point System Work?
Florida uses the point system when monitoring your driver’s license. Points are assessed for various things like traffic offenses. If you accumulate too many points you can have your driver’s license suspended. Also, too many points will cause your car insurance rates to increase. Some people can get so many points that they have their driver’s license revoked. In order to avoid this problem you need to better understand how the point system works.
How Traffic Violation Points Are Assessed
There are a number of different traffic violations and each one carries a certain number of points. Relatively minor violations carry fewer points than major violations. Non-moving violations, such as parking violations, do not carry any points. It is important to understand that simply receiving a traffic ticket doesn’t automatically cause points to accumulate. You must first either pay the ticket or be found guilty of the offense. Paying the ticket means that you plead guilty to the offense. Either way, the points are not counted on your record until and unless you have been found guilty. This is why it’s imperative that you contact an experienced traffic attorney immediately upon getting any type of traffic ticket. Many times your lawyer will be able to assist in getting the charges dropped or lowered and will represent you in court should you decide to fight the charges.
What You Need to Know About Traffic Violation Points
First, you need to know whether the traffic violation you are charged with is considered a criminal offense requiring a mandatory court date. Here is a partial list of some of the most common offenses and the number of points they carry.
- Speeding 15 m.p.h. or less over the posted speed limit – 3 points
- Non-speeding traffic violation (without accident) – 3 points
- Passing a stopped school bus – 4 points
- Non-speeding traffic violation that results in an accident – 4 points
- Speeding that results in an accident – 6 points
- Reckless driving – 4 points
- Leaving the scene of an accident – 6 points
- Littering – 3 points
- Failure to properly restrain a child – 3 points
How the Point System Works
Points don’t accumulate forever. In order to face a possible suspension of your driver’s license the points must be accumulated during a period of up to 3 years. For example, if you get 12 points within a 12 month period your license will be suspended for a period of 30 days. If you get 18 points within 18 months your license will be suspended for 3 months. If you get 24 points within 3 years your license will be suspended for one year. Keep in mind that one incident may accumulate points for several different violations. Also, drivers under the age of 18 are subject to more strict point penalties. If you agree to attend driving school you may be able to eliminate the accumulation of points.
Avoiding Points on Your License
One of the best ways to resolve potential traffic point problems is to get help from an attorney as soon as possible. Don’t simply pay the ticket. Instead, your attorney will help you with the process and offers the best possible option for avoiding points. Even minor traffic violations carry points. Remember that later on if you end up with a more serious violation your license could be suspended. With this in mind you may want to get help immediately from an attorney who focuses on traffic violations. This will offer the best possible outcome. If you have accumulated too many points or are a commercial driver you can’t afford to have your license suspended. Seek assistance quickly in order to get the best potential results.