Where to check your Florida driver's license points

You can check your points through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website without paying a fee. Go to www.flhsmv.gov, select "Driver License" from the menu, and look for the option to check your driving record. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record.

The DHSMV also lets you order an official copy of your driving record by mail or in person at any Florida Driver License office. The mail option takes about two weeks. If you need your record faster, you can visit a local office and get a printed copy the same day, though there is a small fee for the official document.

A third option is to call the DHSMV at 1-850-617-2000 during business hours. A representative can tell you your current point total over the phone, though they cannot discuss specific violations or provide a written record that way.

Key Takeaways

  • The DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov shows your points for free and takes just a few minutes to check.
  • Florida adds points to your license when you are convicted of traffic violations, and points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation.
  • Reaching 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months triggers a suspension of your license.
  • You can reduce points through a defensive driving course, which removes up to four points if you complete it before your next violation.

How Florida's point system works

Florida assigns points based on the type of traffic violation you are convicted of. A minor violation like speeding 15 miles per hour over the limit adds three points, while reckless driving adds four points. More serious violations like driving with a suspended license add six points. The points remain on your record for different periods: most violations stay for three years, but some serious ones like DUI stay longer.

The state uses a rolling window to track your points. This means the DHSMV looks at how many points you have accumulated within the most recent 12, 18, or 36 months. If you hit 12 points within any 12-month period, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you reach 18 points within 18 months, the suspension is 90 days. Reaching 24 points within 36 months results in a one-year suspension.

Points do not disappear automatically after three years. They fall off your record on the anniversary of the conviction date for each individual violation. So if you were convicted of speeding on March 15, 2022, those points drop off on March 15, 2025.

What happens when you accumulate too many points

When you cross one of Florida's suspension thresholds, the DHSMV sends you a notice by mail. The notice tells you the suspension start date, which is usually about 30 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license is itself a criminal offense that adds six points to your record.

After your suspension ends, you must visit a Driver License office in person to reinstate your license. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies but is typically around $150. The office will also require proof that you have resolved any outstanding issues, such as paying traffic fines or completing a required course.

How a defensive driving course can reduce your points

Florida allows you to remove up to four points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can do this once every 12 months. The course must be taken before you receive another traffic violation—if you get a second violation before finishing the course, the points from the first violation lock in and cannot be removed through the course.

You can find approved courses through the DHSMV website or by searching for "Florida defensive driving course" online. Most courses are offered online and take four to eight hours to complete. After you finish, the course provider sends your completion certificate directly to the DHSMV, and the points are removed within a few weeks.

Taking a defensive driving course also typically lowers your car insurance rates. Many insurance companies offer a discount for drivers who complete an approved course, so the cost of the course often pays for itself through lower premiums.

Understanding your driving record printout

When you pull up your record online or receive a printed copy, you will see a list of every traffic conviction on your record, organized by date. Each entry shows the violation type, the date of conviction, the points assigned, and the date the violation will drop off your record. Your current point total appears at the top of the document.

The record also notes any license suspensions or revocations. If you are currently under suspension, that status will be clearly marked. The document does not include warnings or citations that did not result in a conviction, so a ticket you paid off or that was dismissed will not appear.

Checking your record before renewing your license

It is a good idea to check your points before your license renewal date. If you are close to a suspension threshold, you have time to take a defensive driving course before crossing it. The DHSMV will not renew your license if you are currently under suspension, so knowing your status in advance prevents a surprise at the renewal office.

When you renew your license in Florida, the DHSMV automatically checks your record. If you are suspended or have other issues, your renewal will be denied and you will receive a notice explaining why. Checking online ahead of time lets you resolve these problems before you try to renew.

What to do if you see an error on your record

If your online record shows a violation you believe is incorrect or a conviction that should have been dismissed, you can dispute it. Contact the DHSMV at 1-850-617-2000 or visit a local Driver License office with documentation of the error. You may need to provide court records showing the conviction was overturned or the charge was dismissed.

The DHSMV will investigate your dispute, which can take several weeks. During this time, the points remain on your record. If the DHSMV confirms the error, they will remove the violation and adjust your point total. Keep copies of all documents you submit as proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do points stay on my Florida license?

Most traffic violations stay on your record for three years from the conviction date. Some serious violations like DUI, habitual traffic offender convictions, and criminal traffic offenses remain longer. You can check the exact removal date for each violation on your driving record printout.

Can I check someone else's driving record?

No, the DHSMV only releases driving records to the person whose license it is, their attorney, or an insurance company with a signed authorization. You cannot check a family member's or friend's record without their written permission.

What if I get points from a violation in another state?

Florida is part of the Driver License Compact, an agreement between most states to share traffic violation information. Violations from other states are usually reported to Florida and added to your record, though the points assigned may differ from Florida's system.

Does paying a traffic ticket remove points from my license?

No, paying the fine does not remove points. Points are added when you are convicted of a violation, regardless of whether you pay the fine when ready or over time. The only ways to remove points are to wait for them to drop off after three years or to complete a defensive driving course.

Will my insurance company see my points?

Yes, insurance companies can access your driving record and will see your points and violations. This information is used to calculate your insurance rates. Violations and points typically cause your rates to increase for three to five years.