Florida Traffic Ticket Update: October 25, 2026

Speedy-trial rule change for criminal traffic cases, driving with an expired license, window tint tickets, and how long the state has to try your ticket

Part 1: What’s New

Florida Supreme Court Changes When the Speedy-Trial Clock Starts in Criminal Traffic Cases

On October 22, 2026, the Florida Supreme Court amended Florida Rule of Traffic Court 6.160. The rule covers criminal traffic charges, such as driving with a suspended license or without a valid license. Starting January 1, 2027, the speedy-trial clock in those cases will begin when a person is formally charged. Today it can begin when the person is handed a citation or notice to appear. The separate 180-day rule for ordinary civil traffic tickets, such as most speeding tickets, did not change.

What this means for you: If you are charged with a criminal traffic offense in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County after the new year, don’t count on the date on your ticket as the start of any speedy-trial deadline.

Source: Florida Supreme Court, No. SC2025-1377 — https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/2026/sc2025-1377.html

Part 2: Driver’s Guide

What Happens If I Drive With an Expired License in Florida?

Florida treats an expired license differently depending on how long it has been expired. If it expired 6 months ago or less, driving on it is a noncriminal infraction (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.065). It is classified as a nonmoving violation with a $30 base penalty, before court costs and fees. If you later show a valid license, the clerk may dismiss the ticket for a fee of up to $10 (s. 318.18(2)(b), https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0318/Sections/0318.18.html).

It’s more serious once the license has been expired for more than 6 months. Driving then violates s. 322.03(6) (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.03). Under chapter 322’s general penalty, that is generally a second-degree misdemeanor (s. 322.39, https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.39). That means a criminal charge and a court date, not just a fine.

What this means for you: Renew as soon as you notice your license has expired. If you’ve already been stopped, renew before your court date and find out whether you qualify for the clerk dismissal. If your license has been expired for more than 6 months, treat the ticket as a criminal case and get advice before you go to court.

Part 3: Common Questions

Can I get a ticket for window tint in Florida?

Yes. Front side windows must let in at least 28% of light (https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.2953.html). Windows behind the driver must let in at least 15%, or 6% on multipurpose vehicles such as many SUVs and vans (https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.2954.html). A driver cited for tint that is too dark commits a noncriminal nonmoving infraction (https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.2956.html).

How long does the state have to bring my traffic ticket to trial?

For a civil traffic infraction, Rule 6.325 requires trial within 180 days of the date you were served with the citation. If that doesn’t happen, you can ask the court to dismiss, unless you caused the delay or weren’t available. The rule does not apply when the ticket is tied to a criminal traffic charge (https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/07/2026_7-JAN-Traffic-Court-Rules-01-01-2026.pdf).

Is driving with no license at all a crime in Florida?

Yes. A first conviction for driving without a valid license is a second-degree misdemeanor. A second conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor. A third or later conviction carries at least 10 days in jail (s. 322.03(1)(b), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/322.03).

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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