Getting a traffic ticket or causing a vehicular collision can add points to your Florida driver's license. Too many points on your Florida driving record can result in a loss of your driving privileges. It is important to keep track of your driving record and how many points you have accrued. Use this guide to learn how to check points on your Florida driver's license. And don't worry — we also cover how to look up your points if you need to replace your Florida driver's license.
Understanding Florida's Driving Points System
Florida employs a point system that guides the penalties for traffic violations. Every time you run a red light or speed, you could have points added to your license.
What are the consequences of this? Your car insurance rates can increase for minor offenses. Serious offenses could result in losing your driving privileges or jail time.
Checking How Many Points Are On Your Florida Driver's License
If you receive any kind of traffic ticket or involved in a vehicle accident, it is wise to check your Florida driving record to keep track of how many points are on your license. Thankfully, it is easy to purchase your driving record online through a private vendor. Make sure you are purchasing an authorized copy. You can also purchase your Florida driving record in person at your local office.
You'll typically need to provide your driver's license number or Social Security number. You can purchase a 3-year or 7-year driving history. The Florida driving record will provide details for any citation you received along with details regarding the points accrued with the citations.
One other option is to request a Florida driving record by mail. To do this, you'll need to fill out the Driver License Record Request Form, include an $8 (for three-year records) or $10 (for seven-year records) fee, and mail it to the Bureau of Records, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 52, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0575.
Checking Your Points if You Need to Replace Your Florida Driver's License
Losing your Florida driver's license can make it tricky to request a copy of your driving record. If you have your driver's license number memorized, you can still order your driving record to check how many points are on your license. If you do not know your Florida driver's license number, you can fill out the Driver License Record Request Form without adding the license number and mail it to the Bureau of Records address we mentioned above.
Preventing Points from Being Issued to Your Florida Driver's License
The best way to prevent points from being added to your Florida driver's license is to obey all traffic laws and drive with the utmost care. Brush up on your driver's education to make sure you understand the rules of the road and how to avoid accidents.
If you are issued a minor violation, you may be able to attend a defensive driving course to prevent points from being added to your license. You will need to work with your local licensing office to pay the fees and complete the defensive driving course.
If you receive any traffic violations, be sure to track your driving record to keep track of how many points are on your license. If you ever need to know your driver's license status, you can use Florida's online tool to make sure your Florida driver's license is valid.
