How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Florida? Fines, Points, and Your Options

A Florida speeding ticket costs a base fine set by state law, plus court costs that vary by county, plus points that can hang around on your record. If you qualify, you can keep those points off by electing a Florida BDI course. I Drive Safely's 4-hour online course is Authorized by the State of Florida and built around an engaging, self-paced format. Here's the full breakdown.

Florida Speeding Fines by Miles Over the Limit

Florida sets base fines in its fine schedule. These are the amounts before your county adds its own court costs.

Base Fines at a Glance

• 1 to 5 mph over: warning
• 6 to 9 mph over: $25
• 10 to 14 mph over: $100
• 15 to 19 mph over: $150
• 20 to 29 mph over: $175
• 30 mph or more over: $250, plus a mandatory court hearing

Why Your Total Is Higher Than the Base Fine

Each county adds court costs and surcharges, so the amount on your citation is usually well above the base fine. Your citation or your county clerk of court shows your exact total.

When Fines Double

• School zones: the fine doubles, and going up to 5 mph over in a posted school zone costs $50.
• Construction zones: the fine doubles in a posted zone when workers are present.
• Repeat high speeds: a second conviction for 30 mph or more over within 12 months doubles the fine.

How Many Points Does a Florida Speeding Ticket Add?

Points are where one ticket keeps costing you. Under Florida's point system, the number depends on how fast you were going.

Speeding Point Values

• Up to 15 mph over: 3 points
• More than 15 mph over: 4 points
• Speeding that causes a crash: 6 points

When Points Lead to a Suspension

• 12 points within 12 months: suspension of up to 30 days
• 18 points within 18 months: suspension of up to 3 months
• 24 points within 36 months: suspension of up to 1 year

Not sure where you stand? Here's how to check your points, and how a suspension differs from a revocation.

Your 30 Days and Three Choices

Florida gives you 30 days from the date on your citation to respond. Pick one of these before the clock runs out.

Pay the Fine

Paying is fastest, but it counts as a conviction, so the points go on your record and can affect your insurance.

Elect a Basic Driver Improvement Course

Tell the clerk of court you're electing the course, pay the reduced fine, and complete the 4-hour BDI course by the deadline the clerk gives you. Once you finish, adjudication is withheld and no points are added to your license. BDI is one of three course types in Florida.

Contest the Ticket

You can request a hearing and challenge the citation in court. Weigh the time and the odds first; our guide to fighting a ticket walks through how it works.

Who Can't Elect the BDI Course?

The course election isn't open to every driver or every ticket. Check these limits before you plan around it.

Very High Speeds

Going 30 mph or more over the limit requires a mandatory court hearing, so you can't simply pay or elect the course through the clerk. At 50 mph or more over the limit, or 100 mph or more in a way that endangers others, Florida treats it as dangerous excessive speeding, a criminal offense that can bring jail time and, for repeat offenses, a license revocation.

Commercial License Holders

If you hold a commercial driver license, you can't elect a BDI course to keep points off, even for a ticket in your personal vehicle.

How Often You Can Elect

You can elect once in any 12-month period and no more than eight times in your lifetime. The lifetime cap used to be five, so older sources may still say that. Our guide to election limits covers the details.

Florida Speeding Ticket FAQ

How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Florida for Going 20 Over?

The base fine for 20 to 29 mph over is $175 under Florida law, and your county's court costs are added on top. It also adds 4 points unless you're eligible to elect a BDI course and complete it.

What's the Penalty for Going 30 Over in Florida?

Going 30 mph or more over carries a $250 base fine plus court costs, 4 points, and a mandatory court hearing, so the course election through the clerk isn't available.

Does Traffic School Lower a Florida Speeding Fine?

Yes. Electing a BDI course reduces the base fine by 18 percent and keeps the points off your license, though county court costs still apply.