Frequently Asked Questions
General Information |
Traffic FAQ's |
Locations for Payments of Fines |
Traffic Citation Payments
WHAT IS A CIVIL TRAFFIC INFRACTION?
A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by the
payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a defensive driving course. A court appearance is required when
the violation involves serious bodily injury, a fatality, or leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle.
Charges include pedestrian violations, bicycle violations, non-moving violations such as; not wearing your seat
belt, not carrying your driver’s license, registration, or insurance card, expired registration less than
6 months, or expired driver’s license less than 4 months, moving violations such as; speeding, running a red
light or stop sign, careless driving, child restraint violations, or failing to maintain a single lane.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR DISPOSING OF A TRAFFIC CITATION?
You have 3 basic options. The Clerk’s office must receive your option with payment,
when applicable, within 30 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation.
ONCE YOU CHOOSE AN OPTION, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR MIND.
Locations and Mailing Address
Mailing address:
Jim Fuller, Clerk of Courts
Traffic Violations Bureau
P.O. BOX 660
Jacksonville, Florida 32201
Main Department Locations:
Traffic Violation Bureau
3470 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR PAYING A TRAFFIC CITATION?
- Payment by Internet using a credit card. https://ecom.coj.net/cv-trafvio
- Payment by telephone using a credit card (Visa or Master Card). The system will give user a verbal receipt number.
There is an additional charge of $9.95 for using this option:
- Call 1-904-630-1313.
- Press 1.
- Enter your citation number.
- Enter credit card number and expiration date.
- Payment in person at the Main Department Location or at any Satellite Location.
- Payment by mail by sending to the above mailing address.
If you choose to pay the civil penalty, you are admitting guilt and the Florida Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) will assess points on your driving record for moving violations.
For Driver License, Registration, or Insurance violations, proof of compliance is also required. The Clerk's
Office must receive payment and proof within 30 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation.
You may make payment in person or by mail. If paying by mail, please remember that the Clerk’s office must receive the
payment within applicable 30 or 90 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. We are not responsible for lost or delayed
mail. Enclose the yellow copy of the citation with payment so that we can match the payment to the correct case file.
Payment can be made with checks or money orders drawn on a United States Bank.
ONCE YOU HAVE PAID IN FULL, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR OPTION TO SELECT A DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL.
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR ELECTING A DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL?
You may elect defensive driving school on any non-mandatory court appearance citation that
has points assessed. These are typically moving violations such as, speeding, running a red light, fail to maintain a
single lane, child restraint.
If you elect the defensive driving school option, adjudication is withheld, the base fine is reduced by 18%, and the
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) will not assess points against your driving record.
You are eligible to elect the defensive driving school once every 12 months and five times in your lifetime.
To elect this option, you must fill out the Traffic School Affidavit Form and pay the reduced fine amount within 90
calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. The forms are available from the officer at the time they
issue the citation, or from the Clerk’s office.
You must attend or complete a defensive driving course approved in the State of Florida. Courses offered in other
states are not acceptable.
Once you have completed the school, you must return the school completion certificate to the Clerk’s Office within
60 days from the date you paid the school election fee.
It is your responsibility to enroll in the traffic school of your choice. For information concerning traffic school
enrollment, locations, and fees, please contact a traffic school. Traffic schools are located in your local yellow
pages under Driving Instruction, or you may visit any office previously listed for a list of approved providers..
ONCE YOU ELECTED THE TRAFFIC SCHOOL OPTION, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR ELECTION
TO PAY THE CIVIL PENALTY.
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING A COURT HEARING?
You can request a court hearing in person or in writing. The Clerk’s Office
must receive your request in writing 45 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. If you request
a court hearing after the 45 calendar days of the date the citation was issued, you automatically waive your right
to a speedy trial. Please visit or send your request to the mailing address provided above.
If you appear in court, you waive your right to paying the civil penalty amount. The Judge can fine you up to $500.00.
The Judge can also order you to attend driver improvement school and/or pay a penalty. If you
fail to attend a requested hearing, it may result in a driver's license suspension; or the Judge can hear your
case without you being present. The Clerk’s office will notify you of the Judge’s decision.
If it is impossible or impractical for you to appear in court in person, you may be eligible to elect a court
hearing by affidavit. If eligible, upon request the Clerk’s Office can mail you an Affidavit of Defense to
complete and instructions for posting a bond in lieu of your appearance. This form must be notarized and the
applicable bond amount must be submitted. The Judge will read the affidavit in the courtroom. The officer and any
witnesses may testify and the Judge will render a verdict. The Clerk’s Office will notify you by mail of the
disposition of your citation.
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING A CITATION FOR FAILURE TO CARRY OR DISPLAY A DRIVER'S LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND OR
NO/ EXPIRED TAG (expired 6 months or less)?
If the officer charged you with no/failure to carry or display a valid driver's license,
registration, license tag and you have proof that it was valid at the time the officer issued the citation, you
may submit proof of your valid document(s), a $5.00 dismissal fee, and the yellow copy of your citation to the
Clerk's Office. Clerk Office personnel will dismiss the charge.
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING A CITATION FOR FAILURE TO CARRY PROOF OF INSURANCE?
If the officer charged you with failure to carry valid insurance, and you have proof that it
was valid at the time the officer issued the citation, you may send a photocopy of your valid document, a $5.00
dismissal fee, and the yellow copy of your citation to the Clerk's Office. Clerk's Office personnel will dismiss the
charge. Please send your request to the mailing addressprovided above.
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES OF HANDLING A CITATION FOR IMPROPER OR UNSAFE EQUIPMENT?
If you received a citation for improper or unsafe equipment, under Florida Statute 316.610,
you have the opportunity to elect a reduced fine payment.
In order to obtain this option you must have a law enforcement agency inspect the vehicle and sign the back of the
yellow copy of the citation. The law enforcement agency must sign the citation within 30 calendar days of the date
they issued the citation.
Bring or mail the signed yellow citation with a reduced payment of $9.00 to the Clerk’s Office within 30 calendar
days of receiving the citation. Please send your request to the mailing address provided above.
If you choose not to have the equipment repaired, you must pay the regular fine amount.
WHAT CITATIONS REQUIRE A MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE?
The following charges require a mandatory court hearing:
- Leaving a child in an unattended vehicle
- An accident involving a serious bodily/personal injury
- An accident involving a fatality
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS PENALTY FEES FOR CITATIONS?
These penalty fees can and often do change as a result of the Florida Legislature enactment
of laws. If you want to know the exact amount that you owe on a citation, contact the Traffic Division or visit
the service counter at one of our satellite locations.
The officer who wrote and served you with your citation usually indicates a fine amount on
the back of the citation. Occasionally, the officer might write the wrong fine amount. This error is not grounds to
have the citation dismissed or the correct fine amount altered. Should this error occur, you would be charged the amount
mandated by current law.
It is your right to contest the citation in court before a judge. Should you choose to exercise this right, the
Court will determine the fine and fee amounts, which could be up to $500.00.
PAYABLE TRAFFIC FINE AMOUNTS
| MOVING VIOLATIONS |
$81.00 |
| CHILD RESTRAINT VIOLATIONS |
$81.00 |
| NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS |
$47.00 |
| SEAT BELT VIOLATIONS |
$47.00 |
| BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN VIOLATIONS |
$29.00 |
| PASSING SCHOOLBUS VIOLATIONS |
$121.00 |
PAYABLE SPEEDING FINE AMOUNTS
| 6-9 MPH OVER |
$46.00 |
| 10-14 MPH OVER |
$121.00 |
| 15-19 MPH OVER |
$146.00 |
| 20-29 MPH OVER |
$171.00 |
| 30 MPH OVER AND UP |
$271.00 |
| Construction (when workers present) School Zones/b> |
| 1-9 MPH OVER |
$71.00 |
| 10-14 MPH OVER |
$221.00 |
| 15-19 MPH OVER |
$271.00 |
| 20-29 MPH OVER |
$321.00 |
| 30 MPH OVER AND UP |
$521.00 |
Traffic fines may be paid at our main location or any of our satellite offices.
For Internet Payments, see website location above. Payments may also be made by telephone by dialing 904-630-1313
and following the instructions (additional service fee is charged).
Please mail your payment mailing address provided above.
ARE THE VARIOUS PENALTIES REDUCED IF I ATTEND A DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL?
Yes, you receive an 18% reduction off the base fine amount for school elections. Florida
Statutes then require an additional affidavit fee and court costs. You must also pay the school to enroll in the school.
Please contact the schools to find out the school fee.
If you desire to elect Defensive Driving School, please see the School Payment Amounts listed:
SCHOOL TRAFFIC FINE AMOUNTS
| MOVING VIOLATIONS |
$80.20 |
| CHILD RESTRAINT VIOLATIONS |
$80.20 |
| PASSING SCHOOLBUS VIOLATIONS |
$103.00 |
SCHOOL SPEEDING FINE AMOUNTS
| 6-9 MPH OVER |
$51.50 |
| 10-14 MPH OVER |
$115.00 |
| 15-19 MPH OVER |
$133.50 |
| 20-29 MPH OVER |
$154.00 |
| 30 MPH OVER AND UP |
$236.00 |
| Construction/School Zones |
| 1-9 MPH OVER |
$72.00 |
| 10-14 MPH OVER |
$195.00 |
| 15-19 MPH OVER |
$236.00 |
| 20-29 MPH OVER |
$277.00 |
| 30 MPH OVER AND UP |
$441.00 |
You will be assessed an additional $4.00 clerk's
fee if you sign your affidavit in front of a deputy clerk.
CAN I OBTAIN AN EXTENSION TO PAY, ELECT DRIVING SCHOOL, COMPLETE SCHOOL, OR PROVIDE PROOF OF VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE, REGISTRATION, OR INSURANCE?
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2001-7, signed by Chief Judge Donald R. Moran, on May 8,
2001:
“Defendants shall have ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the citation in which to render payment for any
penalty imposed. If a defendant has not rendered payment in full by the end of such time, the Clerk of Court shall
commence administrative action for suspension of the defendant’s driving licenses. The above ninety (90) days shall
be considered sufficient time in which to pay the required penalty, and no continuances for payment shall be permitted.”
Applicable citations receive an automatic 90 days extension and do not require contact with the Clerks Office.
THE ABOVE ORDER DOES NOT APPLY TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT OR MISDEMEANOR/CRIMINAL CITATIONS.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A COURT CONTINUANCE FOR MY TRAFFIC CITATION?
If your court date has been set, the Clerk's Office has the authority to change
the court date once. Afterwards, if there is a problem, you must file the appropriate "Motion" to
request a court continuance. Submit the written “motion” to Traffic Violation Bureau, 3470 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville,
Florida 32207, and the motion will be forwarded to the appropriate Hearing Officer or Judge.
CLERK PERSONNEL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE SUCH AS HOW TO FILE A MOTION. PLEASE CONTACT AN ATTRONEY OF YOUR CHOICE.
HOW CAN I GET MY DRIVER’S LICENSE REINSTATED?
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle will also reinstate your license for a fee of $25.00.
You must have proof that all outstanding suspensions in every county have been satisfied. Please contact the Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle for instructions.
If your driving privilege has been suspended as a result of non-compliance for a
violation in Duval County, the Clerk’s Office can reinstate your license, as long as the Duval County suspension
is the only open suspension on your driver’s license record. You must have your physical driver’s license for the
Clerk’s Office to reinstate. The cost for this reinstatement is $25.00.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A PRINTOUT OF MY DRIVING RECORD IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A HARDSHIP LICENSE?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) may require you to
furnish them a letter from the Clerk’s Office reflecting any violations or charges you have incurred or had disposed
of in the last 30 days. The Clerk’s Office will charge you $5.00 for this service.
A printout may be obtained at the following locations:
Traffic Violation Bureau
3470 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
CAN I PAY MY OUT OF COUNTY TRAFFIC CITATIONS AT A DUVAL COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE?
No, you must pay your citation in the county in which you received it. Some counties have
Out of County Defensive Driving School Affidavits. You can fill them out and send them to the correct county. You may
attend a school in another county. However, you must first take care of the citation in the county that issued the
citation.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS?
Follow the instructions listed in your Florida Driver’s Handbook.
A complete copy of the handbook is available on the Internet at: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/English/
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR A CIVIL TRAFFIC CITATION?
You may pay with cash, money order, or a personal check drawn on a United States bank.
HOW SOON AFTER ISSUANCE OF A TRAFFIC CITATION MUST I PAY THE CITATION?
The Clerk’s Office must receive payment within the applicable 30/90 calendar days from the date the officer
issued the citation for moving violations. If you have any questions, please call 632-5568 or visit any convenient offices.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT PAY MY CITATION WITHIN 90 DAYS (if applicable) OR
COMPLETE A DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME FRAME?
If the Clerk’s Office does not receive payment within the applicable 30/90 calendar days (applicable citations
only) or your completion certificate within 60 days from the payment date, we will notify the Florida Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) of your failure to pay. DHSMV will begin the process of suspending your
driving privilege.
The Clerk’s Office will not suspend your driving privilege for failing to pay a parking ticket. However, the Tax
Collectors Office may not let you renew your registration if you have certain outstanding parking tickets.
CAN DUVAL COUNTY ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR CITATIONS ISSUED IN OTHER COUNTIES?
No, Duval County Clerk’s Office can only accept payments on citations issued in Duval County.
CAN I PAY MY CITY PARKING CITATION AT THE DUVAL COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE?
No, parking citations are issued by the Public Parking Division and are paid at any
Duval County Tax Collector’s Office.
CAN I OBTAIN AN AFFIDAVIT TO GO TO DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL IN DUVAL COUNTY IF
MY TICKET WAS ISSUED IN ANOTHER COUNTY?
Yes, you can visit the Traffic Division and obtain an Out of County Affidavit.
The charge for the affidavit is $4.00.
DOES GOING TO DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL KEEP THE CITATION OFF MY DRIVING RECORD?
No, the citation will show on your full driving record, but will show
adjudication withheld. This means no points will be assessed. The citation will not show on your 3 year driving record.
CAN I ELECT TO ATTEND DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL AFTER I HAVE PAID MY CITATION?
No, once you pay your citation, you have made your one election
for that violation. If you wish to attend school, you must make that election first.
DOES ATTENDING DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL KEEP MY INSURANCE RATES DOWN?
Please consult your respective insurance company for this information.
WHERE CAN I FIND A LIST OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOLS?
Please consult your local yellow pages under Driving Instruction or visit
any Clerk of Courts Office for a list.
WILL THE DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL NOTIFY THE CLERK’S OFFICE WHEN I HAVE COMPLETED THE CLASS?
No, you must send your completion certificate to the Clerk’s Office. We must receive the completion
certificate within 60 days of the date you elected driving school.
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