Where to find your current points balance

Florida tracks points on your driver's license through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). You can see your points balance in three ways: online through the DHSMV website, by phone, or in person at a driver's license office.

The fastest method is online. Go to flhsmv.gov, find the "Driver License" section, and look for "Check Your Driving Record." You'll need your Florida driver's license number and date of birth. The system shows your current points total when ready, along with any violations that added those points and when they'll drop off your record.

If you prefer to call, contact the DHSMV at 1-850-617-2000. Have your license number ready. A representative can tell you your points over the phone, though the call may take longer than checking online.

Key Takeaways

  • You can check your points online at flhsmv.gov using your license number and date of birth, and you'll see results when ready.
  • Points stay on your record for three to five years depending on the violation, and Florida removes them automatically when the time expires.
  • Accumulating 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months triggers a license suspension.
  • Traffic school can remove up to three points from your record if you haven't taken it in the past 12 months and meet other requirements.

What different violations cost in points

Not all traffic violations add the same number of points. Minor infractions like speeding 1 to 15 miles over the limit cost 3 points. Speeding 16 to 29 miles over costs 4 points, and 30 miles or more over the limit costs 6 points.

More serious violations carry higher point totals. Reckless driving adds 4 points. Driving with a suspended license adds 6 points. At-fault accidents add 4 points. Leaving the scene of an accident adds 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) adds 6 points and carries additional penalties beyond points.

When you check your record online, you'll see each violation listed with its point value, so you can understand exactly which tickets or accidents contributed to your total.

How long points stay on your record

Florida does not remove points when ready after you pay a ticket or complete a sentence. Instead, points remain on your driving record for a set period based on the type of violation.

Most moving violations stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation. Some violations, like DUI, remain for five years. Once the time period passes, Florida removes the points automatically — you don't need to request removal or take any action.

This means a violation from three years and one day ago will no longer appear on your record when you check online. The DHSMV system updates automatically, so your points total will reflect only violations still within their retention period.

When points lead to a suspended license

Accumulating too many points within a specific timeframe triggers an automatic license suspension. The thresholds are: 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months.

If you reach one of these thresholds, the DHSMV will mail you a notice of suspension. Your license becomes invalid on the date shown in the notice. You cannot legally drive during the suspension period, which typically lasts from a few months to a year depending on how many points you accumulated.

To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150 for a suspension due to points), complete any required courses, and sometimes provide proof of insurance. Check your suspension notice for the exact requirements in your case.

Using traffic school to reduce points

Florida allows you to remove up to 3 points from your record by taking an approved traffic school course. However, you can only use traffic school once every 12 months, and you must meet certain conditions to be may be able to access.

You can take traffic school if you received a ticket for a non-criminal moving violation (like speeding or running a red light) and you haven't taken traffic school in the past 12 months. You cannot use traffic school for violations like DUI, reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident.

Traffic school is usually offered online and takes four to eight hours to complete. Once you finish, the course provider sends your completion certificate to the DHSMV. The points reduction appears on your record within a few weeks. The course itself costs money — typically $25 to $75 depending on the provider — but removing 3 points can prevent a suspension or help you stay below a suspension threshold.

What to do if you disagree with your points

If you believe your record shows points that were incorrectly added, or if a violation should not appear on your record, you can request a review. First, gather documentation: your ticket or citation, any court documents related to the violation, or proof that the violation was dismissed or reduced.

Contact the DHSMV directly by phone at 1-850-617-2000 or visit a local driver's license office in person. Bring your documentation with you. Explain which violation you dispute and why. The DHSMV will review your case, and if they find an error, they will correct your record.

If a violation was dismissed in court or reduced to a non-moving violation, the court should have notified the DHSMV automatically. However, delays sometimes occur. Providing the court case number and disposition date speeds up the correction process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my points?

Check your points after receiving any traffic ticket or being involved in an accident, to confirm the violation was recorded correctly. You can also check annually to monitor your record and understand how close you are to a suspension threshold. There's no penalty for checking your record as often as you want.

Will my points go down if I don't get any more tickets?

Yes. Points automatically drop off your record three to five years after the violation date, depending on the type of violation. You don't need to do anything — the DHSMV removes them automatically once the time period expires. Your points total will decrease on its own as older violations age off.

Can I check someone else's points?

No. Only the license holder can view their own driving record online. If you're an insurance agent, employer, or have a legal reason to see someone's record, you must request it through official channels with their written permission or a court order.

What happens if I reach the suspension threshold?

The DHSMV mails you a notice of suspension with the effective date. Your license becomes invalid on that date, and you cannot legally drive. To reinstate it, you must pay a reinstatement fee, complete any required courses, and meet other conditions listed in your notice. The suspension period typically lasts several months to a year.