What types of violations are not payable through the Internet?

The following violations are not payable through the Internet because fees vary according to the type of violation. The defendant must take payment to a location or send payment through the mail.

• Cases that have an amount paid into hold
• Boat Speeding violations
• Fishing, Hunting, or Trapping violations
• Marine violations
• Misdemeanors that do not require a court appearance
• Municipal ordinances that do not require a court appearance
• Saltwater Fishing License violations

What accident cases may not be paid for through the Internet?

Accident cases with a severity of “Fatality” or “Serious bodily injury” may not be paid for through the Internet unless the count has been to court and fines/costs were assessed. A court appearance is mandatory for these types of violations.

Why is a case with an Activity note not payable?

The case has an activity note and all applicable information cannot be displayed. Please go to a service location.

Why is a case with a defendant note not payable?

The case has a defendant note and all applicable information cannot be displayed. Please go to a service location.

Why is a count with an open activity not payable?

A count with an open capias or D6 may not be payable through the website. The count may be paid at a service location or sent through the mail.

What if I have been charged with a Driver’s License, Registration or Insurance violation?

If you have been ticketed by law enforcement for failure to carry or display a driver's license, vehicle registration or proof of insurance and you have valid documentation, (valid documentation means that the issue date of your license, registration or insurance was prior to the issue date of the ticket), you may forward the cost of the dismissal fee, the yellow copy of the ticket and a photocopy of your valid document and the charge will be dismissed by the Clerk's Office.

If your Driver's License, Registration, Tag, or Insurance was expired you must pay the fine amount due as indicated on the Mailer information form the officer gave you. Submit this fine payment with a photocopy of the renewed License, Registration or Insurance documentation.

If you cannot provide valid proof of registration or insurance, a signed, notarized statement explaining why valid proof cannot be provided, may be submitted along with payment.

If you were cited for a criminal license, registration or insurance violation, we will be unable to accept payment and a court appearance is mandatory.

Please note, if cited for no proof of insurance and your insurance was not valid prior to the issue date of the ticket and you received a ticket for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and/or were cited for causing an accident simultaneously, you are not eligible to pay the insurance violation and a court appearance is mandatory.

Driver's license, registration and insurance violations are not payable through the Internet. You must go to a service location or send payment and proof through the mail.

If paying by mail please make check or money order payable to the Clerk of the County Court. Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail. Please forward all payments to:

To verify the fine amount due or receive further assistance, please call 954-712-7899. This service is available from 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week. If your ticket has not been entered on our computer please try this service again at a later date.

Why can't I pay for License, Insurance, Tag or Registration violations through the Internet?

Driver license, insurance, vehicle tag or registration violations cannot be paid for through the Internet. The cost of these violations depends on whether the document was valid at the time of the incident and many other factors, which differ for each customer. The defendant must take payment and proof of the valid document to a service location or send payment and proof through the mail to the following address.

Clerk of the Courts
P.O. Box 14610
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610

For insurance, vehicle tag or registration violations, if valid proof cannot be obtained, a notarized statement, indicating why valid proof cannot be obtained, must be provided.

A decriminalized affidavit allows the defendant to complete and sign an affidavit pleading "no contest" to the charge. The defendant must show valid proof and can only elect this option three (3) times in a lifetime. If the citation is more than thirty (30) days old, this option is not available.

What if I have been charged with an Improper Equipment violation?

If you received a citation for improper or unsafe equipment, under Florida State Statute 316.610, you are given the opportunity to elect a reduced fine payment. Please read the instructions on the back of your yellow citation and Mailer Information Form for direction.

In order to elect this option you must have a law enforcement agency, with the exception of the Florida Highway Patrol, inspect the vehicle and sign the back of the citation indicating that the defect has been corrected. This must be completed within 30 calendar days from receiving your citation. The agency will charge you a fee for this inspection. After you have completed this inspection process, mail the signed yellow ticket and a check or money order in the amount indicated on the Mailer Information Form to the Clerk's Office. No points will be assessed.

Note: if you elect to pay the reduced fee and you have completed the inspection process, you must go to a location, counter, or send payment and proof through the mail. The reduced fee cannot be paid through the Internet.

If you elect to pay the full amount of the citation, payment may be made through the Internet, at a location, counter, or through the mail.

If paying by mail please make check or money order payable to the Clerk of the County Court. Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail. Please forward all payments to the following address:

In all cases, you must comply (payment and/or proof) within 30 calendar days from the date you received your citation or your driver's license will be suspended and additional delinquent fees must be submitted. If your license becomes suspended additional costs will be required in order to get your driver's license reinstated.

To verify the fine amount due or receive further assistance, please call 954-712-7899. This service is available from 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week. If your ticket has not yet been entered on our computer, please try this service again at a later date.

What if I have been charged with a Moving or Non-Moving violation?

If you have been charged with a moving or non-moving violation and your violation is a payable violation as indicated on the yellow copy of your citation, you have 30 calendar days from the date you received your ticket to select one of the following options:

1. Pay the fine and accept the points, if points are applicable to the violation.



2. Elect the traffic school option if eligible, successfully complete traffic school and not receive points.



3. Enter a plea of Not Guilty.

If you elect to pay the fine and accept the points, if points are applicable, please follow the instructions given on the Mailer Information Form you received from the officer.

You must comply within 30 calendar days from the date you received your ticket or your driver's license may be suspended and an additional delinquent fees must be submitted. If your license becomes suspended, additional costs will be required in order for you to get your driver's license reinstated.

Please make checks or money orders payable to the Clerk of the County Court. Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail.

Please forward all payments to the following address:

Howard C. Forman, Clerk of the Court
P. O. Box 14610
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610

We also offer the ability to pay your fine by credit card or verify the fine amount due, via the telephone. If you choose to elect this option and your ticket has not yet been entered on our computer, please try this service again at a later date. If you would like to pay your fine by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, verify the fine amount due or receive further assistance, please call 954-712-7899.

What if I have been issued a Tri-Rail Fare Evasion Citation?

If you have been charged with a Tri-Rail Fare Violation, you must elect one of the following options:

1. Pay the civil penalty for the violation on or before the date listed on the violation.
2. Appear for arraignment at the location and time indicated on the violation.

Failure to comply within 30 calendar days will result in the addition of a second-degree misdemeanor charge.

What if I have been charged with a Smoking violation?

If you have been charged with a Smoking violation, you must appear at the location and time indicated on the violation. Failure to comply may affect your driving privileges.

What if I have been charged with a Toll or Sunpass violation?

If you have been charged with a Toll or Sunpass violation, you must select one of the following options from the instructions that the officer sent you along with the citation. Failure to resolve the citation by the "Must Comply By Date" will result in the suspension of your driver's license and you may not be able to renew your vehicle registration.

1. Option 1


You may make payment to Florida Department of Transportation by sending a check or money order only within 30 days from the date of issuance of the citation. Please use the enclosed pre-addressed envelope. The check or money order must be made payable to: Florida Department of Transportation. Adjudication will be withheld and no points will be assessed against your driver's license record. Please sign and date at the bottom of the citation and include the original document with your payment.


2. Option 2


If paying after 30 days, but no more than 75 days from the date of issuance, make payment to the Clerk of the County Court. Mail payment by check or money order to the address on the top right section of the citation and check the "Elect to Pay" box. If this option is selected, the check or money order must be made payable to: "Clerk of the County Court". Adjudication will be withheld and no points will be assessed against your driver's license record. Please sign and date at the bottom of the citation and include the original document with your payment.


3. Option 3


To plead not guilty, check the "Not Guilty" box, sign and date at the bottom of the citation and mail the original document in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope to the Florida Department of Transportation within 30 days from the date of issuance. The Florida Department of Transportation will notify the Court of your plea. The Court will notify you by mail of the time and date of your court hearing. If you are found guilty, you will be assessed a fine for failure to pay a toll plus court costs and 3 points will be assessed against your driver's license record per Florida State Statute 322.27. If you choose this option and do not appear at the time specified by the court, your driver's license will be suspended and you may not be able to renew your vehicle registration until the issue is resolved satisfactorily with the court.

These violations are payable through the Internet.

How do I know how many times I have attended driving school?

The Clerk of Courts does not keep record of how many times a defendant has elected to attend defensive driving school. You may check with the traffic school that you last attended or you may inquire on your driving record for the last time you elected traffic school.

If an election for traffic school is made and the defendant is not eligible to attend traffic school, points will be assessed, a driver's license suspension will be issued and additional fines will be assessed.

What if I have elected to attend driving school?

If you elect the traffic school option, no points will be assessed. The course must be completed in the State of Florida within 90 days of the day that you make the election. Out-of-State completions will not be honored. If you are an Out of State driver, you should check with your state Motor Vehicle Bureau to see if they will assess the points if you elect this option.

There are 2 different Traffic School courses available in Broward County. A 4-hour course and an 8-hour course. Eligibility to attend the course is based upon your previous driving record. The 4-hour basic driver improvement course is available to those who have not elected the course more than 4 times in a lifetime and those who have not elected the course in the last 12 months. The 8-hour course must be chosen if you have elected a 4-hour course in the last 12 months. You may only elect the traffic school option 5 times in a lifetime.

It is your responsibility to enroll in a traffic school. For information concerning Traffic School enrollment, locations, and course fees, please contact a Traffic School listed in your local yellow pages or search on-line.

You must comply (payment and election form) within 30 calendar days from the date you received your citation, or your driver's license may be suspended and additional delinquent fees must be submitted. If your license becomes suspended additional costs will be required in order for you to get your driver's license reinstated.

Enrollment fees must be paid to the Traffic Schools; do not remit enrollment fees to the Clerk's Office with your fine payment.

If you fail to complete the traffic school within 90 days you will receive the points, your driver's license will be suspended and additional fines and costs will be assessed.

If paying your fine by mail, please make checks or money orders payable to the Clerk of the County Court. Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail. Please forward all payments to the following address:

How do I qualify for 4-hour driving school?

If you have not elected to attend defensive driving school five (5) times in your lifetime and have not attended in the last 12 months, you are eligible for 4-hour defensive driving school.

How do I qualify for 8-hour driving school?

If you have not elected to attend defensive driving school five (5) times in your lifetime but you have attended a 4-hour class in the last 12 months, you are eligible for the 8-hour defensive driving school.

Where do I send my completion of driving school?

Most traffic schools automatically send proof of the defendant's completion to the Clerk of Courts Traffic Division electronically. However, you may want to check with the traffic school to make sure they have completed this process.

At any time you may choose to mail a copy of the traffic school completion to:

Clerk of the Courts - Traffic Division
P.O. Box 14610
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610

Fax copies are not accepted

Back to the Frequently Asked Questions list

What if I am unable to attend driving school, or I no longer want to attend driving school?

If you are unable to complete Traffic School within 90 days and still wish to attend a class, you may appear at any of our courthouse locations and obtain an extension. You must be within 90 days of the original election date or court order date. The cost for this extension is $4.00.

If 90 days have passed from the original date of election no reorders are granted. Points will be assessed, your driver's license will be suspended and additional fines will be assessed.

If you wish to forfeit the traffic school election and receive points, you may appear at any of our courthouse locations and pay the appropriate forfeit fees and delinquent fees, if applicable. The cost for this forfeit process will vary based upon the violation, as well as the status of your driver's license.

If you would like information concerning Traffic School enrollment, locations, and course fees, please contact a Traffic School in your local yellow pages or search on-line.

How do I view a court date?

1. Go to www.browardclerk.org



2. Click the On-Line Services button



3. Scroll down the disclaimer page and click the “Accept” button



4. Click the “Public Access Case Search” button in the top-left corner of the On-Line Services page



5. On the Public Access Search page:



• To search by party name: Enter the party’s last name and first name and click on the “Search by Party” button



• To search by case number: Enter the case number and click on the “Search by Case Number” button



6. The search results or a message stating your criteria did not match any records will be displayed



7. To view “Case Summary” information, click on the button next to the desired case, then click the “View Selected Case Summary” button



8. On the Case Summary page, scroll down to the “Key Dates – Future Scheduled Events” section. If an upcoming court date is scheduled, it will be listed.

What if I am unable to appear for my scheduled court date?

If you have entered a plea of “Not Guilty”, received a court date notice, and you are unable to appear for your scheduled court date you must contact the Clerk's Office in person or in writing. You will be required to fill out a "Defendant Request Form". This request will be forwarded to the presiding Hearing Officer for review. If this request is granted, you will be notified by mail of your new court date. By making this request, you may be giving up your right to a speedy trial. If you fail to appear on your scheduled court date for a non-criminal violation, the Hearing Officer may issue a suspension of your driver's license.

If you missed your court date and wish to schedule a new court date, you must contact the Clerk's Office in person or in writing, and again may be required to fill out a "Defendant Request Form". This request will be forwarded to the presiding Hearing Officer for review. If this request is granted, you will be notified by mail of your new court date. However, the suspension may not be withdrawn until delinquent fees are paid.

Can I pay my fine through the internet if my plea is not guilty?

If a plea of not guilty was entered and the case has not yet gone to court, fines may not be paid through the Internet. These fees vary according to the type of violation. The defendant must take payment to a service location or send the payment by mail.

How do I submit a Plea by Mail for a non-criminal traffic infraction?

If you were cited for a non-criminal traffic infraction and you are unable to appear for court, you may be eligible to submit an Affidavit of Defense. This option is available for non-criminal traffic infractions where no fatality has occurred.

To determine if your citation is a non-criminal traffic infraction, review the boxes located at the "Court Information" section of your yellow citation. If either of the following two boxes is marked, you are eligible to elect the plea by mail option. The first box states "Infraction, court appearance required, as indicated below". The second box states "Infraction which does not require appearance in court".

If you wish to obtain the required form via mail, you must send a letter requesting the "Affidavit of Defense" option. Be sure to include your citation number(s), full name, address and telephone number. When your request is received, we will forward the appropriate form along with a set of written instructions.

Once you have completed the Affidavit of Defense, you must return the notarized Affidavit to our office along with a money order or cashier's check payable to the "Broward Sheriff's Office", to be posted as a bond.

The bond amounts are as follows:

1. $100.00 per ticket, if the case involves an accident where personal injuries occurred.
2. $75.00 per ticket, if the case involved an accident without personal injuries or no accident occurred.

No personal checks are accepted as payment for posting of bonds.

If you are found not guilty, your money will be returned to you in full. If you are found guilty and a fine is assessed, the fine will be deducted from your bond and the balance will be returned to you. If your fine is more than the posted bond amount, you will be notified of the balance due and the due date. In all cases, we will notify you of the outcome by mail.

Please make certified checks or money orders payable to the Broward Sheriff's Office. Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. Please forward all monies and correspondence to:

How do I submit a Plea by Mail for Criminal Traffic or Misdemeanor Violations?

If you have been cited or arrested for a criminal traffic or misdemeanor charge, you may be eligible to exercise the "plea by mail" option.

The "plea by mail" request must be submitted in writing.

If you are pleading "not guilty," you are not eligible for this option and must appear in court.

To be eligible for consideration for this option, you must write a letter to the attention of the "Honorable Judge of the County Court." Include in this letter your Full Name, Date of Birth, Address, Telephone Number, Date the Violation Occurred, What You Were Charged With, Citation Number (if one was issued), and Arrest Number (if one was issued). In the body of the letter, you must explain why you cannot attend court, and your intention to enter a plea of guilty or no contest.

You must forward the request to:

When this request is received by the Clerk's Office, it will be forwarded to the appropriate Judge for review.

The Clerk's Office will notify you of the decision by mail.

If your request is granted, you will receive further instructions which will require mandated forms to be completed and returned to our office. If your request is denied, you will be required to appear in court.

What if I change my address and I have a pending case?

If you have changed your address and you have a pending case, it is imperative that you notify the court, in writing, of your new address so you receive all future notices and correspondence. Please include the following information in your correspondence:

1. Your change of address
2. Your full name
3. Your date of birth
4. Your telephone number
5. Your case or citation number
6. Your signature

NOTE: Changing your address with the Post Office or on your driver's license does not change it with the Clerk of the Court

Please forward all correspondence to the following address:

What is a D6?

A D6 is a notification sent to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by the Clerk of Courts for failure to comply with court requirements. The Divsion of Motor Vehicles issues the suspension. Each state has different rules and procedures for clearing the license

What is the mailing address for traffic and misdemeanor payments?

Clerk of the Courts P.O. Box 14610 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610

What are my options for a payable traffic ticket?

1. Plead guilty

• Pay full civil penalty
• Points are assessed
• No driving school
• No court appearance