Florida Traffic Ticket Update: October 18, 2026

Palm Beach County’s license plate readers, when a Florida speeding ticket means a mandatory court date, and Plantation’s school-zone cameras

Part 1: What’s New

Palm Beach County Keeps Its License Plate Readers, but They Aren’t Ticket Cameras

In August the state directed FDOT to remove license plate readers from state roads. On October 15, local TV reported that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office received an exemption to keep its readers in place. Many drivers mix these up with ticket cameras, but they are different systems. The removal order never applied to red-light, school-zone or school-bus cameras, which are authorized by separate Florida laws.

What this means for you: The plate-reader debate does not change camera tickets in Palm Beach, Broward or Miami-Dade. A red-light or school-zone camera notice still has deadlines you need to meet.

Source: WFLX — https://www.wflx.com/2026/10/15/florida-ordered-license-plate-readers-off-state-roads-why-does-palm-beach-county-still-have-them/; GovTech — https://www.govtech.com/public-safety/after-flock-ban-these-south-florida-cameras-will-remain

Part 2: Driver’s Guide

Do I Have to Go to Court for a Speeding Ticket in Florida?

Usually, no. For most civil speeding tickets, Florida gives you 30 days to pay, set up a payment plan, or choose a court hearing (s. 318.14(4), Fla. Stat.). Many drivers can also elect a basic driver improvement course. That option withholds adjudication, avoids points and cuts the fine by 18% (s. 318.14(9)). Keep in mind that paying the fine counts as admitting the violation, and speeding points (3 points, or 4 if more than 15 mph over) can follow (s. 322.27(3)(d)).

Some tickets do require a court appearance. Under s. 318.19, a hearing is mandatory for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit and for infractions that cause a crash with death or serious bodily injury, among others. These cases can’t be paid by mail or resolved with traffic school. At a hearing, the official can impose a civil penalty of up to $500, or up to $1,000 for school-zone or construction-zone speeding (s. 318.14(5)).

At the extreme end, driving 50 mph or more over the limit, or 100 mph or more in a way that endangers others, is “dangerous excessive speeding.” That’s a criminal offense carrying up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for a first conviction (s. 316.1922).

What this means for you: Check your ticket for a court date or a “mandatory appearance” box before you do anything. If it’s there, paying online isn’t an option, and missing court can lead to a license suspension.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 318.19 — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0318/Sections/0318.19.html

Part 3: Common Questions

I live out of town. Can I fight a Miami-Dade ticket without coming back to Florida?

The Miami-Dade Clerk allows a not-guilty plea in absentia: you mail a bond (the civil penalty plus the clerk’s fee) along with a notarized affidavit of defense. It still has to be done on time.
Source: Miami-Dade Clerk — https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/civil-traffic-infractions.page

I missed the 30-day deadline in Miami-Dade. Can I still get a court date?

According to the Miami-Dade Clerk, you can have the case set for court between day 31 and day 180 by paying a $16 late fee. After 180 days you must file a motion with the administrative traffic judge, and filing it does not stop a license suspension unless the judge grants it.
Source: Miami-Dade Clerk — https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/civil-traffic-infractions.page

Does a second big speeding ticket cost more?

Yes. The base fine for 30 mph or more over is $250, and it doubles for a second or later conviction of 30+ mph over within 12 months.
Source: Florida Statutes s. 318.18(3)(b), (3)(i) — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0318/Sections/0318.18.html

Where are school-zone speed cameras in Plantation, and when do they ticket?

Plantation runs cameras at 13 school zones in Broward County. They ticket only during each school’s set windows: 30 minutes before school or breakfast, during the school day, and 30 minutes after dismissal. A notice is issued only when a driver is more than 10 mph over. The fine is $100 with no points or insurance impact, and you have 30 days to pay or request a hearing before it becomes a Uniform Traffic Citation.
Source: City of Plantation — https://www.plantation.org/government/departments/police-department/community-programs/school-zone-safety-program

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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