How to Get Points Off a Driver’s License in Florida
We all do it. Even the best drivers are guilty of an occasional oversight or error in judgment on the road. Usually these mistakes are slight and inconsequential – who has never accidentally gone a little above the posted speed limit when it seemed safe and common to do so, or forgotten to come to a complete stop at a stop sign? But inevitably, many drivers will eventually be involved in a more major altercation, even including a car accident.
Every law, major or minor, that you break on the road is kept on your driving record through a system of points if you are caught and ticketed. Accumulating points on your license for poor driving is very serious in Florida, and can lead to the temporary or permanent revocation of your license. Your license can be suspended from 1 to 12 months if you receive enough points over a 12, 18, or 24-month period. Fortunately, in some cases, there are steps you can take to remove points from your license and keep your driving record clean.
Examples of common driving violations include:
- Speeding (3 to 6 points depending upon severity)
- Not obeying a traffic signal (4 points)
- Littering while driving (3 points)
- Not properly restraining a child in a car seat (3 points)
- Leaving the scene of a crash (6 points)
Check out the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles point system for more information on point violations.
Fighting Your Ticket
Time is of the essence when it comes to removing points on your Florida driver’s license. You can visit your county clerk within 30 days if you wish to contest your violation. If you go to traffic court and win your case, your record will not be affected. You can even go to a qualified Florida attorney to attempt to overturn your case or have the charges reduced. This can be a lengthy process, however, so be prepared to be in it for the long haul. If enough evidence is presented to the court, the entire incident can be erased from your record or the punishment may end up being simply a monetary fine with no points on your record.
Taking Traffic School
If you do not wish to contest your ticket, or your contesting fails, you will need to attend a state-approved driver improvement course in order to keep your record clean. You will get a certificate of completion after completing Florida traffic school, and this certificate can be used to keep points off your record. You can even attend Florida traffic school online and complete the final exam from the comfort of your own home.
online Florida traffic school is one of the best ways to redeem yourself from a driving error and avoid permanent damage to your driving record. In traffic school, you will learn everything you need to know about defensive driving techniques, the rules of the road, and hazard prevention, which will help you avoid getting any more points on your record in the future while also removing some of the ones currently on there. It’s your best bet at keeping a clean driving record and preventing the loss of your license in Florida.
