It is important to remember that the state of Florida considers driving a privilege, rather than a right. You can lose that privilege for a variety of traffic infractions, and even for failure to pay court-ordered child support, racing on the highway, failure to pay traffic fines or addition to drugs or alcohol. If you accrue too many points on your driving record you could also lose your driving privileges for a period of time. Points on your driving record can lead to any of the following:
- Huge increases on your automobile insurance
- Potential loss of your employment
- A downgrade to your credit rating
- Suspension of your driver’s license
Every time points are added to your driver’s license, your insurance can increase—as much as 18% for your first ticket, and as much as 50% when additional points are added. Points stay on your record for a period of three years, therefore what you pay on your insurance premiums could escalate to the point where insurance is unobtainable. Points added to your driving record may result in your credit score being lowered—which in turn has a number of negative consequences such as:
- You may see an increase in interest rates for personal loans or auto loans.
- Your chances of obtaining a job can be negatively impacted since over 70% of major companies will check your credit rating as part of your employment screening.
- You may be prevented from obtaining housing as many rental property owners now check credit ratings.
- When you open an account for utility services, a poor credit rating can result in your having to pay a deposit that you might not otherwise have paid.
- You may be unable to secure a cell phone contract with a poor credit rating.
- You may be unable to get a student loan if your credit rating is unsatisfactory.
The following are the amount of points you will receive for Florida traffic violations:
- Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage above $50.00……6 points
- Speeding resulting in a crash………………………………………………………6 points
- Willful or wanton reckless driving…………………………………………………4 points
- Passing a school bus which is stopped……………………………………………..4 points
- Speeding, in excess of 15 mph……………………………………………………..4 points
- All other moving violations (excluding speeding) which result in a crash…………4 points
- Speeding, less than 15 mph above the posted speed limit…………………………3 points
- Violation of Child restraint laws……………………………………………………3 points
- All other moving violations………………………………………………………..3 points
- A conviction for driving with an open container…………………………………..3 points
- Any conviction under Florida’s littering laws……………………………………..3 points
How Long Will My Points Remain on My Driving Record?
Any points you receive will stay on your driving record for three years, beginning on the date you pay the fine and your citation clears the county. If you went to court and were found guilty, the points start on the day you have successfully satisfied all court requirements. Insurance increases will also last for three years from the date you lost your “safe driver” status.
If you accrue twelve points within a twelve-month period, you could receive a thirty-day suspension. If you accrue eighteen points within an eighteen-month period, you could be given a ninety-day license suspension, and if you accrue twenty-four points on your driver’s license within a three-year period, you could end up having your license suspended for an entire year. If you have garnered a driver’s license suspension due to accruing too many points on your license, once you are eligible for a reinstatement of your driver’s license you will be required to complete a Twelve-hour Advanced Driver Improvement Course.
Other Issues Related to the Florida Driver’s License Points System
- If you are a younger driver (between the ages of 15 and 17) who accrues six points, you will be restricted to driving with a Business Purposes Only driver’s license for a period of one year or until your eighteenth birthday. Every point above the six points will increase your restriction period for an additional ninety days.
- If you have not taken a driver improvement course during the past twelve months, you may be able to avoid points on your driving record by taking such a course. You may only take five driver improvement courses throughout your entire life.
- Criminal driving violations or drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), are not allowed to take a driver improvement course in order to avoid points.
- If you receive a traffic citation in another state which is an offense that would earn points in the state of Florida, you will receive points on your Florida driving record—the number of points assessed by Florida for the crime, rather than the number assessed by the other state.
Getting the Help You Need from an Attorney at The Law Place
Having points placed on your driving record is a very serious matter, and one you should not face alone. The attorneys at The Law Place have been helping Florida residents avoid points on their driving records for many years, and have the necessary experience and knowledge necessary to mount the best defense to any traffic offense. When you consider the long-term repercussions associated with adding points to your driving record, you will understand the necessity of speaking to a The Law Place attorney as soon as possible after receiving your ticket.