Florida Traffic Ticket Update: November 12, 2026

Tailgating tickets, what “aggressive driving” means, and following-distance rules for holiday road trips in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

Driver’s Guide

Can I Get a Ticket for Tailgating in Florida?

Yes. Florida law says you may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering your speed, the traffic around you and the condition of the road (Florida Statutes s. 316.0895(1)). For ordinary cars there is no fixed number of feet or car lengths in the statute, so the officer judges whether your gap was safe for the conditions. A violation is a noncriminal moving violation handled under Chapter 318 (s. 316.0895(4)).

Like most moving violations, a following-too-closely conviction carries 3 points on your Florida license, and 4 points if it results in a crash (s. 322.27(3)(d)8–9). In Miami-Dade, the Clerk lists $179 as the total for a standard Chapter 316 moving violation, including court costs and fees.

Florida also defines “aggressive careless driving” as committing two or more listed acts at once or back to back, such as following too closely, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to yield, improper passing or running a signal (s. 316.1923). One traffic stop can lead to several tickets, and each moving violation can add its own points.

What this means for you: Thanksgiving traffic on I-95, the Turnpike and I-595 makes tailgating tickets and rear-end crashes more likely. Leave extra room, and if you’re cited, don’t just pay. Paying the ticket counts as admitting the violation (s. 318.14(4)(b)), and the points follow.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 316.0895 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/316.0895
Source: Florida Statutes s. 322.27 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.27
Source: Florida Statutes s. 316.1923 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/316.1923
Source: Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller — https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/civil-traffic-infractions.page

Common Questions

Is there a set following distance for trucks or vehicles towing a trailer?

Yes. Outside business or residence districts, trucks and vehicles towing a trailer may not follow within 300 feet of another truck or towing vehicle. The rule doesn’t stop you from passing, and it doesn’t apply in lanes set aside for trucks or slow-moving vehicles (s. 316.0895(2)). Vehicles traveling in a caravan must also leave enough space for other cars to safely move in, though funeral processions are exempt (s. 316.0895(3)).

Source: Florida Statutes s. 316.0895 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/316.0895

Can I take traffic school for a tailgating ticket?

Often, yes. If you don’t hold a commercial driver license and were driving a regular vehicle, you can usually elect a basic driver improvement course. Adjudication is withheld, no points are assessed, and the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent. You can’t do this if you elected traffic school in the previous 12 months, and there is a lifetime limit of eight elections (s. 318.14(9)).

Source: Florida Statutes s. 318.14 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/318.14

I rear-ended someone and got a ticket. Are the points higher?

Yes. A moving violation that results in a crash carries 4 points instead of 3 (s. 322.27(3)(d)9). Florida can also suspend a license when a traffic conviction resulted in a crash that caused injury, death, or property damage over $500 (s. 322.27(1)(b)). That makes a crash-related ticket worth reviewing before you pay.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 322.27 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.27

What has to be proven if I fight a tailgating ticket?

At a hearing on a civil traffic infraction, the violation must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt (s. 318.14(6)). If the hearing officer finds no violation, no costs or penalties are imposed. If the violation is found, the officer can impose a civil penalty of up to $500, traffic school, or both (s. 318.14(5)).

Source: Florida Statutes s. 318.14 — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/318.14

Got a ticket? Talk to us before you pay. Traffic Ticket Team handles traffic tickets in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Call (954) 967-9888 or visit trafficticketteam.com for a consultation.

Sources

This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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