Traffic and Misdemeanor

You must make payment or an election to the Clerk of Court within 30 calendar days of receiving a ticket to avoid additional late fees and possible suspension of your driver license.

Overview

The Traffic and Misdemeanor Division is responsible for processing the following types of cases: Misdemeanor, Municipal Ordinance, County Ordinance, Traffic, Smoking, Fish and Wildlife, Tri-Rail and Boating.

A Criminal Traffic or Misdemeanor charge requires a court appearance.

Municipal Ordinance and County Ordinances require a court appearance.

A Civil Traffic Infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a basic driver improvement course. A court appearance is not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident with serious bodily injury or fatality.

Within 30 calendar days from the date you received your citation, you must comply by selecting one of the following options:

Pay Fines and Fees

When you elect this option, it is considered a conviction and points may be assessed on your driver license. You will not be allowed to elect the driving school option at a later date.

Civil traffic infractions must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the citation was issued. Failure to pay may result in Driver License suspension and late fees and reinstatement fees may be assessed.

Fine Payment Options

The following options are available to pay a citation.

NOTE: Processing and transaction fees may apply when making payments online, by mobile app, or at any AMSCOT location.

The Broward County Clerk of Courts online Fine Payment service is provided as a convenience to the public. Use of this service in no way relieves the defendant from the responsibility of paying a traffic or misdemeanor fine, or making an election in a timely manner. If the defendant finds that certain case information has not been entered, or if any of these systems are unavailable; it is still the responsibility of the defendant to make a payment or election to the clerk of courts office prior to the due date. This option is only available to pay off the entire amount due. Partial payment can only be made via the online Fine Payment services for cases with established payment plans.

The defendant may use the online Fine Payment service to pay a Traffic or Misdemeanor fine and, if they choose, elect the option to attend driving school. If the defendant elects the option to attend driving school, they are responsible for locating, registering and completing the driving school in which they choose to attend within ninety (90) days of electing the option.

Acceptable Method of Payment

Pay by check or money order: Make checks or money orders (drawn on a United States bank only) payable to the Clerk of the County Court.

Pay by credit card: Pay online, or in-person with appropriate picture identification (e.g., Florida Driver License).

Set up a Payment Plan

To set up a payment plan, you must appear at a Service Location in person. No one can set up a payment plan on behalf of another person; the defendant must bring identification in order to set up an agreement. The processing fee to enter into a payment agreement is $25.00 per case. You must pay by mail or in person with cash, check, or money order.

Unable to Locate or Pay Ticket Online

The Broward County Clerk of Courts online Fine Payment service is provided as a convenience to the public. Using this service in no way relieves the defendant from the responsibility of paying a traffic fine, or making an election in a timely manner.

If a defendant finds that certain case information has not been entered, or if any service, or system, is not functional; the defendant is still responsible to make a payment, or elect an option, to the Clerk of Courts office, within 30 days of receiving the citation. On occasion, it may take several weeks before a citation is entered in the Clerk's computer system. If you are unable to locate your citation, you may want to try again at a later time.

At any time, the defendant may come in person, or mail the citation to the Clerk's Office for the purpose of manually entering the citation information into the computer system.

Elect Driving School

No points will be assessed against your Driver's License if you complete a driver improvement school. However, if you fail to complete the driving school option within the appropriate timeframe, or pay the remaining fine payment balance, additional fees may be assessed, along with a suspension of your driver's license.

Elect Driving School or Wireless Communication Program

Important Notice - Electing Driving School

Effective January 1, 2020, F.S. 318.14(9) will provide an 18 percent reduction of the civil penalty for a noncriminal traffic infraction for persons who elect to attend driver improvement school.

If you choose to elect driving school, you must pay the fine payment (along with an additional $7.00 driving school affidavit fee) and submit a completed Driving School Affidavit within 30 days from the date the citation was issued.

Enroll with an approved State of Florida driving school and complete the driving school course within 90 days of your election. Upon completion, send the original certificate of completion to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

You may not exceed 5 driving school elections in a lifetime. Failure to complete the driving school course within 90 days will result in the assessment of points, additional fees and a possible suspension of driver license.

This option is not available if you have a commercial driver license, or have been charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH.

Determine Eligibility for Driving School or Wireless Communication Program

The Clerk of Courts does not keep record of how many times a defendant has elected to attend driving school. However, this information may be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

If an election for driving school is made, but the defendant is not eligible to attend driving school, points, and fees will be added, and your Driver License may be suspended.

How do I qualify for a 4-hour driving school course?

If you have not elected to attend driving school five (5) times in a lifetime and have not attended in the last 12 months, you are eligible for a 4-hour driving school course. This option is not available if you have a commercial driver license, or have been charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH.

How do I qualify for an 8-hour driving school course?

If you have not elected to attend driving school five (5) times in a lifetime, but you have attended a 4-hour driving school course during the past 12 months, you are eligible for an 8-hour driving school course. This option is not available if you have a commercial driver license, or have been charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 MPH.

How do I qualify for the Wireless Communication Driving School Program?

If you were cited for a first offense in violation of F.S. 316.306(3)(A), you may elect to participate in a wireless communication device driving safety program approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Upon completion of such program, the penalty specified in F.S. 318.18 and associated costs and points may be waived by the clerk of the court.

Next Steps After Electing Driving School

Contact a State of Florida approved driving school of your choice. For a list of driving schools, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

If you do not have a State of Florida driver's license, contact the State Motor Vehicle Bureau your license was issued, to see if they will assess any points on your driver license if you elect this option. Driving school certificate of completions outside the State of Florida will not be accepted.

If you elect driving school, and are not eligible to attend, or if you fail to complete the driving school course within 90 days, points will be added to your driver's license, fines may be assessed, along with a possible suspension.

Submit Driving School Completion Certificate

The driving school certificate of completion may be filed electronically via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, in person at any Service Location, or by sending the original certificate of completion by mail to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Although some driving schools may electronically send the driving school certificate of completion to the Clerk of Courts office, it is still your responsibility to ensure the Clerk’s office receives your driving school certificate of completion, within 90 days of electing the option, to avoid any additional fees, points, or possible suspension of your driver's license.

Fax copies are not accepted.

Inability to Complete Driving School or No Longer Wish to Attend

Important Notice - Inability to Complete Driving School or no Longer Wish to Attend

Effective January 1, 2019, amends s. 318.15(1)(b), F.S., to provide that if a person elects to attend driver improvement school and has paid the reduced civil penalty, pursuant to s. 318.14(9), F.S., and subsequently fails to attend driver improvement school, the person must pay the Clerk the amount of the 9-percent reduction they received and the $18 processing fee.

If you are unable to complete driving school within 90 days, and additional time is needed to complete this option, you may go in person to any Service Location, and request an extension within 90 days of the original election or court order date. An additional fee will be added to requests received after 90 days of the election or court order date.

Failure to complete the driving school course within 90 days will result in the assessment of points, additional fines, and a possible suspension of your Driver License.

If the time frame has passed from the date you were reordered by a Judge or Traffic Hearing Officer to attend driving school, you may only be eligible to request a reorder for driving school one more time. An additional fee will be added to each driving school reorder request.

If you choose to forfeit the driving school election and receive points, you may appear at any Service Location and pay the appropriate forfeit and delinquent fees, if applicable.

Conditional Plea of No Contest and Waiver of Appearance

No Court Appearance and No Points

If you have received a traffic ticket in Broward County that does not involve a crash or require a mandatory hearing under Florida Statutes section 319.9, you may submit a Conditional Plea of No Contest to the court.

If your conditional plea is accepted by the court:

If for any reason the court declines to accept your conditional plea, your case will be handled through the normal traffic ticket process and may be set for a pre-trial teleconference. At that time, the conditional plea that you submitted earlier cannot be used as evidence against you.

You may drop off this completed Plea at the Clerk's drop box at any location of the Broward County Courthouse; you may also send it via U.S. Mail to Broward County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33302-4610; or you may scan and email the form to the Clerk of Court at TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org.

Request Court Hearing

A Criminal Traffic, Misdemeanor, Municipal Ordinance or County Ordinance charge requires a court appearance.

If you choose to contest a Civil Traffic Infraction ticket, you must make your request for a hearing in writing to the Clerk within 30 calendar days of the date of the citation. You will be notified of your court date.

Inability to Appear for Scheduled Court Date

If you have entered a plea of Not Guilty, for a civil traffic case, and are unable to appear for your upcoming scheduled court date, you must contact the Clerk's Office by coming in person, or by mail. You will be required to fill out a civil traffic court Defendant’s Request Form, which will be forwarded to the presiding Hearing Officer for further review. If the request is granted, you will be notified by mail of your new court date. If you fail to appear on your scheduled court date for a civil traffic violation, the Hearing Officer may issue a suspension of your driver's license.

If you missed your court date and wish to schedule a new court date for a Civil Traffic case, you must contact the Clerk's Office in person or in writing, and will be required to fill out a "Civil Traffic Court Defendant’s Request Form". This request will be forwarded to the presiding Hearing Officer for review. If this request is granted, you will be notified by mail of your new court date. However, the suspension may not be withdrawn until delinquent fees are paid.

If you have received a court date notice for any other case types, and you are unable to appear for your scheduled court date, you must contact the Clerk's Office in person or in writing. You will be required to fill out a "Defendant Request Form". This request will be forwarded to the presiding Judge for review. If this request is granted, you will be notified by mail of your new court date. If you fail to appear on your scheduled court date, the Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest as well as a suspension of your driver license.

Fine Payment Option if Plea is Not Guilty

If a plea of not guilty was entered and the case has not yet gone to court, fines may not be paid through the Internet. These fees vary according to the type of violation. The defendant must take payment to a Service Location or send the payment by mail.

Submit a Plea by Mail for a Civil Traffic Infraction

If you were cited for a civil traffic infraction and unable to appear in court, and no fatality occurred, you may be eligible to submit an Affidavit of Defense form. Purchase this form by coming in-person, by mail, or by selecting the Form Downloads button in the upper right corner of this page.

If requesting by mail, send a letter requesting the Affidavit of Defense form. Make sure to include your citation number(s), full name, address, telephone number and a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope with your request. Upon receipt of your request, we will forward the appropriate form, along with a set of written instructions.

Please forward all monies and correspondence to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Submit a Plea by Mail for Criminal Traffic or Misdemeanor Violations

If you have been cited or arrested for a criminal traffic or misdemeanor charge, you may be eligible to exercise the "plea by mail" option. The "plea by mail" request must be submitted in writing. If you are pleading "not guilty," you are not eligible for this option and must appear in court.

To be eligible for consideration for this option, you must write a letter to the attention of the "Honorable Judge of the County Court." Include in this letter your Full Name, Date of Birth, Address, Telephone Number, Date the Violation Occurred, What You Were Charged With, Citation Number (if one was issued), and Arrest Number (if one was issued), and a self-address stamped envelope. In the body of the letter, you must explain why you cannot attend court and your intention to enter a plea of guilty or no contest.

You must forward the request to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Requests, received by the Clerk's Office, will be forwarded to the appropriate Judge for review. The Clerk's Office will notify you of the decision by mail. If your request is granted, you will receive further instructions, which will require mandated forms to be completed and returned to our office. If your request is denied, you will be required to appear in court.

Change of Address

If you have changed your address, it is imperative that you notify the court, in writing, of any address change, so you may receive all future notices and correspondence.

Remember to include the following information in your correspondence:

NOTE: Changing your address with the U.S. Post Office, or the State Department of Motor Vehicles Office, does not mean your contact information will be updated with the Clerk of Courts office. Failure to update your contact information with the Clerk of Courts office, may result in additional penalties, or the suspension of your diver's license.

Please forward all correspondence to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Types of Violations

If you have recently received a ticket for a violation, please review the information provided to determine which option applies to you.

Received a Driver License, Registration, or Insurance violation

If you have been cited by law enforcement for failure to carry or display a driver license, vehicle registration or proof of insurance, and you have valid documentation, (valid documentation means that the issue date of your license, registration or insurance was prior to the issue date of the ticket), you may forward the cost of the dismissal fee, the citation and a photocopy of your valid document and the charge will be dismissed by the Clerk's Office. These are not payable on-line.

If your Driver License, Registration, Tag, or Insurance was expired, you must pay the fine amount due as indicated on the Mailer information form the officer gave you. Submit this fine payment with a photocopy of the renewed License, Registration or Insurance documentation.

If you cannot provide valid proof of registration or insurance, a signed, notarized statement explaining why valid proof cannot be provided, may be submitted along with payment.

If you were cited for a criminal license, registration or insurance violation, we will be unable to accept payment and a court appearance is mandatory.

Driver license, registration, and insurance violations are not payable through the Internet. You must go to a Service Location or send payment and proof through the mail.

If paying by mail, please make check or money order payable to the "Clerk of the County Court". Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail. Please forward all payments to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

To verify the fine amount due or receive further assistance, please call our general information line at (954) 831-6565, select option 1. This service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, excluding court holidays.

Decriminalized Affidavit Option for License Suspended without Knowledge

A decriminalized affidavit allows the defendant to complete and sign an affidavit pleading "no contest" to the charge. The defendant must show valid proof and can only elect this option three (3) times in a lifetime.

If your driver license was not valid at the time the citation was issued, you must renew/reinstate your license. You may enter a plea of No Contest, sign a notarized affidavit and pay the associated fees. A copy of your valid driver license must be submitted with your payment and affidavit at a courthouse location or through the mail.

Received an Improper Equipment violation

If you received a citation for improper or unsafe equipment, under Florida State Statute 316.610, you have the opportunity to elect a reduced fine payment.

In order to elect this option, you must have a law enforcement agency, with the exception of the Florida Highway Patrol, inspect the vehicle and sign the back of the citation indicating that the defect has been corrected. This must be completed within 30 calendar days from receiving your citation. The agency may charge you a fee for this inspection. After you have completed this inspection process, mail or bring in the signed citation to a Service Location and payment in the amount indicated on the Mailer Information Form to the Clerk's Office. The reduced fee may not be paid through the Internet.

In all cases, you must comply (payment and/or proof) within 30 calendar days from the date you received your citation, or your driver license will be suspended, and additional delinquent fees must be submitted. If your license becomes suspended, additional costs will be required, in order to get your driver license reinstated.

To verify the fine amount due or receive further assistance, please call the general information line at (954) 831-6565, and select option 1. This service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, excluding court holidays. You may also perform an online Case Search by name, citation, or case number, to review up-to-date case information. If you are unable to locate your case or citation information, please try again, at a later time, or for further assistance, email the Traffic Division.

Received a Red Light Camera violation

If you have been charged with a moving or non-moving or red light violation and your violation is a payable violation as indicated on the yellow copy of your citation, you have 30 calendar days from the date you received your ticket to select one of the following options:

If you elect to pay the fine and accept the points (if points are applicable), please follow the instructions given on the Mailer Information Form you received from the officer.

You must comply within 30 calendar days from the date you received your ticket, or your driver license may be suspended, and an additional delinquent fees must be submitted. If your license becomes suspended, additional costs will be required in order for you to get your driver license reinstated.

Please make checks or money orders payable to the "Clerk of the County Court". Checks or money orders must be drawn on a United States bank. You may also pay by credit card through the mail. Please forward all payments to the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Issued a Tri-Rail Fare Evasion citation

If you have been charged with a Tri-Rail Fare Violation, you must elect one of the following options:

Failure to comply within 30 calendar days will result in the addition of a second-degree misdemeanor charge.

Received a Smoking violation

If you have been charged with a smoking violation, you must appear at the location and time indicated on the violation. Failure to comply may affect your driving privileges.

Charged with a Toll or Sunpass violation

If you have been charged with a Toll/Sunpass violation, you must select one of the following options from the instructions that the officer sent you along with the citation. Failure to resolve the citation within 30 days will result in the suspension of your driver license.

Charged with using a wireless communication device in School/Work Zones

If you have been cited for using a wireless communication device in a handheld manner while in a school or work zone, the violation is payable as indicated on the citation. You have 30 calendar days from the date you received your ticket to select one of the following options:

If you elect to pay the fine and accept the points (if points are applicable), please follow the instructions provided on the Traffic Citation Guide you received from the officer.

You must comply within 30 calendar days from the date you received the ticket, or your driver's license may be suspended, and additional fees may be assessed. If your license becomes suspended, you must pay the fines and fees in order for you to get your driver license reinstated.

Forms and Self Help

The Clerk’s Office is unable to provide legal advice or assistance.

To assist you, below you will find forms and legal resources. For further assistance, please visit the Self Help Equal Access Center - Law Library, where Law Librarians are available to assist you in locating forms and legal resources.

Forms SELF HELP EQUAL ACCESS CENTER - Law Library

Visit our Law Library located on the first floor of the North Wing of the Courthouse to find:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a D6?

A D6 is a notification sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by the Clerk of Courts for failure to comply with court requirements. The Department of Motor Vehicles issues suspensions, but each state has different rules and procedures for clearing license matters. Although D6 fees can be paid with the Clerk of the Courts, there may still be additional requirements that have to be met before a driver license can be reinstated. If you have a Florida Driver License you may reinstate on the Clerk's website, www.browardclerk.org, or at any Service Location, if there are no other suspensions pending.

If you hold an out-of-state driver license other requirements may be needed by the issuing State Department of Motor Vehicles to be in compliance.

What are my options for a payable traffic ticket?

Option 1: Pay citation within 30 days

Option 2: Pay Citation/Elect to attend driving school within 30 days of receiving citation