If you recently paid a speeding ticket in Florida, you might be driving on thin ice without knowing it.
In Florida, points are “silent killers.” You don’t get a notification when they are added. You only find out when your insurance rate doubles or you receive a suspension letter in the mail.
Many drivers assume they can check their points for free on the state website. This is a myth. The free tool only tells you if your license is valid. To see your actual point count, you must obtain your official Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).
This guide will show you the only three ways to see your points, the “Magic Number” that triggers a suspension, and the “Traffic School Trick” to keep points off your record forever.
The “Free” DL Check vs. Paid Report: What You Can Actually See
Let’s clear up the confusion immediately.
- The Free Tool: The FLHSMV DL Check is free.
- What it shows: Status Only (Valid / Suspended / Revoked).
- What it HIDES: Your Points. It will NOT show you how many points you have.
- The Paid Report: To see the actual number (e.g., “3 points for speeding”), you must purchase your Driving Record (MVR).
How to Request Your MVR Online (MyDMV Portal Guide)
You have three ways to see your points.
Method A: MyDMV Portal (Fastest)
You can buy your own 3-year or 7-year record instantly online.
- Visit: MyDMV Portal Florida.
- Cost: Approximately $8.00 – $10.00.
- Download: You get a PDF immediately. Look for the “Convictions” section to count your points.
Method B: Visit a Tax Collector (Walk-In)
If you prefer to go in person:
- Find Office: Locate your nearest Florida DMV appointment (Tax Collector).
- Bring: Your Driver’s License and payment.
- Cost: Usually around $6.25 service fee plus the report fee (~$16 total).
- Result: They print it for you on the spot.
Method C: By Mail (Slowest)
If you are out of state or don’t have internet access:
- Form: Download and fill out the Florida driving record request (HSMV 90511 form).
- Check: Include a check/money order for $8 (3-year) or $10 (7-year).
- Mail To: Bureau of Records in Tallahassee (address is on the form).
- Wait: It takes about 10 business days.
Florida License Points Schedule: How Many Points is a Speeding Ticket?
Not all tickets are created equal. Here is what that ticket will cost you in points:
| Violation | Points Added |
| Speeding (15 mph or less over limit) | 3 Points |
| Speeding (16 mph or more over limit) | 4 Points |
| Speeding resulting in a crash | 6 Points |
| Leaving the scene of a crash (Damage > $50) | 6 Points |
| Reckless Driving | 4 Points |
| Running a Red Light | 4 Points |
| Passing a Stopped School Bus | 4 Points |
| Open Container Violation | 3 Points |
| Curfew Violation (Minors) | 3 Points |
Note: If you are caught speeding in a School Zone or Construction Zone, the fine doubles, but the points typically remain the same unless reckless driving is cited.
License Suspension Rules: The 12-Point Limit Explained
Florida uses a “Rolling Clock” system. If you hit these numbers, your license is automatically suspended.
- 12 Points in 12 Months = 30-Day Suspension
- 18 Points in 18 Months = 3-Month Suspension
- 24 Points in 36 Months = 1-Year Suspension
If you trigger a suspension, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee and likely take an advanced driving course to get your license back. (See our guide on how to reinstate a suspended license in Florida).
How to Remove Points from Your Florida License (The “BDI” Secret)
You cannot remove points once they are on your record (they stay for 5 years). However, you can prevent them from appearing in the first place.
The “Election” Strategy: When you get a traffic ticket (for a non-criminal offense like speeding or running a red light), you have 3 options:
- Pay it: (This is an admission of guilt -> Points Added).
- Fight it: (Go to court).
- Elect Traffic School: (Pay the fine AND take a 4-Hour BDI Course).
Why choose School? If you elect to take the Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course:
- Adjudication is Withheld.
- ZERO points are added to your license.
- Your insurance company cannot raise your rates for that specific ticket (per Florida Statute 626.9701), as long as it wasn’t a major accident.
- Limit: You can only do this 5 times in your lifetime, and only once every 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Points stay active for suspension purposes for varying times, but the conviction stays on your record for 5 years. (Major offenses like DUIs stay for 75 years).
No. A DUI is a major violation that results in immediate administrative revocation, not just points. If you are convicted, you may need to apply for a hardship license in Florida to drive to work.
Often, yes. Florida has reciprocity with most states. If you get a ticket in Georgia or New York, it will eventually show up on your Florida record. If you are moving here, check our guide on how to transfer out-of-state license to Florida to see if your old record follows you.
Only if your address is current! The state mails suspension notices to the address on file. If you moved and didn’t tell them, you could be driving on a suspended license without knowing it. Update it immediately using our Florida driver’s license address change guide.
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