Florida suspends your license when you reach 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months
The point threshold that triggers suspension depends on how long you've accumulated the violations. If you get 12 points in a single year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will suspend your license for 30 days. If you reach 18 points over 18 months, you face a 3-month suspension. Accumulate 24 points over three years, and your suspension lasts a full year.
Each traffic violation carries a specific point value. A speeding ticket is typically 3 points, reckless driving is 4 points, and at-fault accidents are 4 points. More serious violations like driving with a suspended license or fleeing police carry higher values. Points stay on your record for 36 months from the violation date, though they may affect your insurance longer.
The suspension is automatic — you don't receive a warning or a chance to contest the point total once you cross the threshold. DHSMV mails a suspension notice to your address on file, and your license becomes invalid on the date specified in that notice.
Key Takeaways
- Reaching 12 points in 12 months results in a 30-day suspension; 18 points in 18 months means 3 months; 24 points in 36 months means 12 months.
- Each traffic violation has an assigned point value, ranging from 3 points for minor infractions to 6 points for serious violations.
- Points remain on your driving record for 36 months, and the suspension is automatic once you hit the threshold.
- You can request a hearing with DHSMV to contest the suspension, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
Point values for common Florida traffic violations
Not all traffic tickets carry the same point penalty. Florida's point system is tiered based on how serious the violation is and how much danger it poses to other drivers.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1–15 mph over limit) | 3 |
| Speeding (16–29 mph over limit) | 4 |
| Speeding (30+ mph over limit) | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Improper lane change | 3 |
| Failure to obey traffic signal | 3 |
| At-fault accident | 4 |
| Driving with suspended license | 6 |
| Fleeing or eluding police | 6 |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 6 |
Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment violations, do not add points to your driving record. If you receive a ticket and are unsure whether it carries points, you can check your driving record through the DHSMV website or contact them directly.
How to check your current point total
You can view your driving record and current point balance online through the DHSMV website without paying a fee. Go to the DHSMV homepage, select "Check Your Driving Record," and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Your online record shows all violations from the past 36 months, the date each violation occurred, and the points assigned to each one. It also displays any suspensions or restrictions currently in effect. If you prefer, you can request a printed copy of your driving record by mail for a small fee, though the online version is faster and free.
Checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension. If you're at 9 or 10 points, for example, you know that one more moderate violation will trigger the 12-point threshold.
What happens when you reach the suspension threshold
DHSMV sends a suspension notice to the address on file with your driver's license. The notice specifies the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and your options for requesting a hearing. You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing if you want to contest the suspension.
If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, the suspension takes effect automatically on the date listed in the notice. Once suspended, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges.
During the suspension period, you can still drive to work, school, or medical appointments if you obtain a hardship license from DHSMV. A hardship license is restricted — it only permits driving for specific purposes — but it allows you to maintain employment and handle essential tasks while your full license is suspended.
How to request a hearing to contest the suspension
If you believe the suspension is incorrect — for example, if you think a violation was misrecorded or if you have documentation that a ticket was dismissed — you can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. Send a written request to the DHSMV office listed on your suspension notice, or submit it online through the DHSMV website.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points were incorrectly assigned or that circumstances warrant an exception. However, the hearing officer will not reduce your point total straightforward because you disagree with the suspension policy. The hearing is your chance to correct factual errors, not to argue that the rules are unfair.
If you miss the 10-day important date to request a hearing, you cannot contest the suspension. Your only option at that point is to serve the suspension period and then reapply for your license once it expires.
Reinstating your license after suspension
After your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically return. You must explore for reinstatement through DHSMV. The reinstatement process requires you to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150 in Florida, though this may change) and, in some cases, pass a written test or vision test.
You can begin the reinstatement process on or after the suspension end date. You cannot reinstate early, even if you pay the fee. If you attempt to drive before reinstatement is complete, you are driving on a suspended license, which carries criminal penalties.
Once your suspension ends and you have paid the reinstatement fee, DHSMV will mail you a new license or provide it electronically depending on your state of residence. Your points do not reset — they remain on your record for 36 months from the original violation date. This means you can accumulate points again when ready after reinstatement if you receive new violations.
How to reduce points through traffic school
Florida allows you to reduce your point total by completing an approved traffic school course. If you take a defensive driving course, DHSMV will subtract 4 points from your record. However, you can only use this reduction once every 12 months, and you cannot reduce points below zero.
Traffic school is optional and costs money (typically $50 to $150 depending on the provider), but it can help you stay below the suspension threshold. For example, if you have 10 points and receive a 3-point speeding ticket, you would normally reach 13 points and face suspension. If you complete traffic school before the suspension takes effect, you can reduce your total to 9 points and avoid suspension.
You must complete the course before the suspension notice is issued. Once DHSMV has mailed your suspension notice, traffic school will not prevent the suspension from taking effect. However, completing traffic school after suspension may help you avoid future suspensions if you accumulate new points after reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Florida suspension?
Yes. Florida counts violations from other states if you were driving a vehicle registered in Florida or if you hold a Florida driver's license. The points are converted to Florida's point system and added to your record. Some states have different point values, so DHSMV converts them to the Florida equivalent.
What if I get a ticket dismissed or found not guilty in court?
If a ticket is dismissed or you are found not guilty, the violation does not add points to your record. You should receive documentation of the dismissal or acquittal. If points were already added to your record, you can request that DHSMV remove them by submitting a copy of the court order showing the dismissal or acquittal.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Yes, but only for specific purposes like work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs. You must explore for a hardship license through DHSMV and pay a fee. A hardship license is not a full license — you can only drive during authorized times and for authorized purposes.
How long do points stay on my record?
Points remain on your driving record for 36 months from the date of the violation. After 36 months, they are removed and no longer count toward suspension. However, your insurance company may still see older violations, and they may affect your rates for longer than 36 months.
What if I accumulate points again after reinstatement?
Your point total resets to zero when your suspension ends and you are reinstated. However, if you receive new violations after reinstatement, those points are added to your new total. You can reach the suspension threshold again if you accumulate 12 points within 12 months of reinstatement.