Pay your Miami-Dade traffic ticket through the county clerk's website or by phone
Miami-Dade County allows you to pay traffic tickets online through the Clerk of Courts website, by phone, or in person at a courthouse. The online method is fastest — you can pay from home using a credit card, debit card, or e-check, and your payment posts within one business day. You will need your ticket number and driver's license number to start.
The county clerk handles all traffic ticket payments, not individual police departments. This means whether you received your ticket from Miami-Dade police, a city police department within the county, or the Florida Highway Patrol, the payment process is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts website using your ticket number and driver's license number.
- Credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks are accepted online; a convenience fee applies to card payments.
- You can also pay by phone at 305-275-1155 or in person at any Clerk of Courts location during business hours.
- Payments typically post within one business day, but do not assume your ticket is dismissed — payment only covers the fine, not traffic school or court appearance requirements.
Paying online through the Clerk of Courts website
Go to miamidadeclerk.org and look for the traffic ticket payment section. You can search by ticket number or case number. Enter your ticket number (found on the front of your citation) and your driver's license number, then follow the prompts to review the fine amount and select your payment method.
The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as e-checks. A convenience fee is added to card payments — this fee varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your fine. E-check payments do not carry an additional fee. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
Do not close your browser until you see the confirmation screen. If your payment does not go through, the site will tell you why — usually because the ticket number or driver's license number does not match the county's records. If this happens, call the Clerk of Courts at 305-275-1155 to verify your information before trying again.
Paying by phone or in person
Call the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts traffic division at 305-275-1155 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Have your ticket number and a credit or debit card ready. The phone line can be busy, especially early in the week, so consider calling mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
You can also pay in person at any Clerk of Courts location. The main office is at 73 West Flagler Street in downtown Miami, but there are satellite offices in other parts of the county. Bring your ticket and a valid payment method — cash, check, credit card, or debit card. In-person payments are processed when ready.
What happens after you pay
Your payment is recorded in the county system within one business day. You will receive a receipt by email (if you paid online) or in person (if you paid at a courthouse). Keep this receipt — it is your proof of payment.
Paying the fine does not automatically dismiss the ticket or remove it from your driving record. Payment only covers the monetary penalty. If the ticket required you to appear in court or take a traffic school course, those obligations remain separate. Check your ticket or call the Clerk of Courts to confirm whether you have any other requirements.
If you cannot pay the full amount right now
Contact the Clerk of Courts at 305-275-1155 to ask about a payment plan. The county can sometimes arrange installment payments, though this depends on the fine amount and your situation. You must request this before the ticket's due date — waiting until after the important date makes the process more complicated.
If you do not pay by the due date listed on your ticket, the county may suspend your driver's license and add court costs to your balance. The sooner you contact the clerk, the more options you have.
Disputing or reducing your ticket
If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you want to contest it, you have the right to request a hearing. This is different from paying the fine. You must request a hearing before the due date on your ticket — usually within 30 days of receiving it.
Request a hearing by calling 305-275-1155 or visiting the Clerk of Courts website. You will appear before a hearing officer (not a judge in most cases) who will review the officer's report and your side of the story. If you lose the hearing, you will still owe the fine. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Miami-Dade traffic ticket online if I live out of state?
Yes. The online payment system works from anywhere with internet access. You do not need to be in Florida or have a Florida address. Use your ticket number and driver's license number to pay through the Clerk of Courts website.
What if I lost my ticket and do not have the ticket number?
Call the Clerk of Courts at 305-275-1155 with your name and driver's license number. They can look up your ticket in the system and provide the ticket number. Once you have it, you can pay online or by phone.
Does paying the ticket online mean I do not have to go to traffic school?
Not necessarily. Traffic school is a separate requirement that depends on the type of violation and your driving history. Paying the fine covers only the monetary penalty. Check your ticket or call the Clerk of Courts to confirm whether traffic school is required in your case.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up in the system?
Online payments typically post within one business day. If you need proof of payment when ready, print or save your confirmation number from the payment screen — this serves as proof until the payment appears in the county system.
What if the online payment system says my ticket number is not found?
This usually means the ticket number was entered incorrectly or the ticket has not yet been entered into the county system. Double-check the number on your citation. If it is correct, wait a few days and try again, or call 305-275-1155 to verify the information.