Camera ticket rulings, new driving laws, and how many points it takes to lose your Florida license

What’s New

A Judge Throws Out a School-Zone Camera Ticket

On October 1, a Tallahassee judge dismissed a school-zone speed camera citation because the reviewing officer couldn’t personally confirm the date and time of the violation, which Florida law requires. This follows an April 2026 decision in Broward County, where a hearing officer dismissed pending school-zone camera cases after finding the device wasn’t an approved speed-measuring instrument under state rules.

What this means for you: If you got a school-zone camera ticket in Miami-Dade or Broward, don’t just pay it. These rulings show camera tickets can be challenged on technical grounds.

Source: WCTV — https://www.wctv.tv/2026/10/01/tallahassee-school-zone-speed-camera-ruling-stirs-new-implications-citys-enforcement-program/

New Florida Driving Laws Took Effect October 1

  • Suspension notices by email: FLHSMV can now email license suspension notices to drivers who opt in. Check your inbox and spam folder so you don’t end up driving on a suspended license without knowing it.
  • Crash reporting threshold raised: Immediate crash reporting is now required only when property damage is $2,000 or more (previously $500).
  • License plate frames are explicitly legal: as long as they don’t cover the plate number or registration decals.

Source: Fox 13 — https://www.fox13news.com/news/new-florida-laws-taking-place-oct-1-heres-what-know

More Counties Are Saying No to Speed Cameras

The Leon County Commission voted against a school-zone speed camera program, joining Palm Beach County, which rejected cameras 6–1 earlier this year. For now, Miami-Dade and Broward are where most South Florida drivers will run into camera tickets.

Source: Tallahassee Reports — https://tallahasseereports.com/2026/09/16/leon-county-commission-rejects-school-zone-speed-camera-program/

Driver’s Guide

How Many Points Before Your License Is Suspended in Florida?

Florida tracks traffic convictions with a points system, and reaching certain totals within certain time windows triggers an automatic suspension. Under Florida Statutes s. 322.27(3), 12 points within 12 months brings a suspension of up to 30 days, 18 points within 18 months up to 3 months, and 24 points within 36 months up to 1 year. FLHSMV lists the same three levels on its points page.

Points add up fast. Speeding 15 mph or less over the limit is 3 points; more than 15 mph over is 4 points. Passing a stopped school bus is 4 points, and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage is 6 points. Three or four tickets in a year can be enough to cost you your license, whether you drive in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or anywhere else in Florida.

A points suspension is handled by FLHSMV, not the county clerk. The Palm Beach County Clerk, for example, tells drivers it can’t clear a points suspension.

What this means for you: Before you pay any ticket, check how many points it carries and how many you already have. Paying a ticket counts as a conviction, and the points go on your record.

Sources: Florida Statutes s. 322.27 — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.27.html
FLHSMV — https://flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqpoints.html
Palm Beach County Clerk — https://mypalmbeachclerk.com/departments/courts/traffic-tickets/additional-types-of-driver-license-suspensions

Common Questions

How long do points stay on my Florida driving record?

FLHSMV says points stay on your driver record for at least five years from the conviction date. Suspensions only count points within the 12-, 18- and 36-month windows, but older points can still show on your record.

Source: FLHSMV — https://flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqpoints.html

Can traffic school keep points off my license?

Often, yes. Under s. 318.14(9), many non-commercial drivers can elect a state-approved basic driver improvement course; adjudication is withheld, no points are assessed, and the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent. You can’t use it if you did in the last 12 months, there’s a limit of eight times in your lifetime, and it isn’t available to CDL holders or for some violations, including speeding 30 mph or more over the limit.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 318.14 — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0318/Sections/0318.14.html

Do speed camera and red-light camera tickets add points?

No. Under s. 322.27(3)(d), points aren’t assessed for camera-enforced speeding tickets issued under s. 316.1896 or camera-enforced red-light tickets, and those violations can’t be used to set insurance rates. An officer-issued ticket for the same violation does carry points.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 322.27 — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.27.html

What should I do at a traffic light that’s out after a storm?

Treat it like a stop sign. Florida law (s. 316.1235) requires drivers to stop at an intersection with a dead signal, as at a stop intersection. Failing to stop is a moving violation, which can mean a fine and points.

Source: Florida Statutes s. 316.1235 — https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1235.html

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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