What the Florida State Ticket Office does
The Florida State Ticket Office is a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. It handles traffic citations issued by state troopers and processes payments, court information, and records related to those tickets. If you received a ticket from a Florida Highway Patrol officer, this office is where you go to pay, contest, or get information about your citation.
The office does not issue tickets — state troopers do that at roadside. Instead, the State Ticket Office manages what happens after you receive one. They can tell you the fine amount, explain your options for handling the ticket, and direct you to the right court if you want to dispute it.
Key Takeaways
- The Florida State Ticket Office handles citations from Florida Highway Patrol officers and processes payments and court information for those tickets.
- You can contact the office by phone at 850-617-3000 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
- To pay a ticket, you will need your citation number, which appears on the ticket itself, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.
- If you want to contest a ticket, the State Ticket Office will direct you to the county court where your citation was issued.
- The office is located in Tallahassee, but you do not need to visit in person — most transactions happen by phone, mail, or online.
How to contact the State Ticket Office by phone
Call 850-617-3000 during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The office is closed on state holidays. Have your citation number ready when you call — it is printed on your ticket and makes the process faster.
When you call, you can ask about the fine amount, payment options, court dates, or how to contest the ticket. The staff can also tell you whether points will be added to your driving record and what your options are for keeping them off.
Paying a ticket online or by mail
You do not have to call or visit in person to pay. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles accepts payments through its website. You will need your citation number and the fine amount (which you can find by calling the State Ticket Office or checking your ticket).
If you prefer to mail a payment, send a check or money order with your citation number written on it to the address the State Ticket Office provides when you call. Include a copy of your ticket if possible. Mail payments take longer to process than online or phone payments, so allow extra time before any court important date.
Contesting a ticket in court
If you want to dispute the ticket, you have the right to go to court. The State Ticket Office does not handle disputes — instead, they will tell you which county court has jurisdiction over your citation. You then contact that court directly to request a hearing date.
Most Florida counties allow you to request a hearing by mail or online through the court's website. Some courts offer traffic school as an alternative: you take a course instead of paying the fine or going to court, and the ticket does not appear on your record. Ask the court or the State Ticket Office whether traffic school is an option for your citation.
Understanding points and your driving record
Florida traffic citations add points to your driving record. The number of points depends on the violation — speeding adds fewer points than reckless driving, for example. The State Ticket Office can tell you how many points your specific citation carries.
If you accumulate too many points in a short time, your license can be suspended. Points also affect your insurance rates. Some violations allow you to take a defensive driving course to reduce or remove the points; the State Ticket Office or the court can tell you whether your ticket qualifies.
What to do if you lost your ticket or cannot find your citation number
Call the State Ticket Office at 850-617-3000 with your name, date of birth, and the approximate date you received the ticket. They can look up your citation in their system and provide the citation number and fine amount. This is faster than trying to pay or contest without the number.
If you received the ticket recently and have not yet received a bill in the mail, the office can still find it in their records. If you received it months ago and have not paid, calling to locate it is the first step before the fine grows or your license faces suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Florida Highway Patrol ticket online?
Yes. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles accepts online payments through its website. You will need your citation number and the fine amount. Online payment is usually processed within a few business days.
What happens if I do not pay or respond to a ticket?
If you do not pay or request a court hearing by the important date on your ticket, the court may suspend your driver's license and add additional fees. Contact the State Ticket Office or the court when ready if you missed a important date — many courts will work with you to set up a payment plan or reschedule a hearing.
Can I request a payment plan if I cannot pay the full fine at once?
The State Ticket Office or the court handling your citation may offer a payment plan. Call 850-617-3000 to ask about options, or contact the county court directly. Courts vary in what they allow, so your options depend on which court issued the ticket.
Does traffic school remove points from my record?
Traffic school can reduce or remove points for certain violations, but not all. The court or State Ticket Office will tell you whether your specific citation qualifies. If it does, completing the course usually costs less than paying the fine and protects your insurance rates.
How long does it take to pay a ticket by mail?
Mail payments take 7 to 14 days to reach the office and be processed. If you have a court important date coming up, pay online or by phone instead to may support it is recorded in time. Always keep proof of mailing if you send a check.