Traffic Citation Information

Traffic tickets (also called Uniform Traffic Citations) can be issued for moving violations and non-moving violations of Florida state statutes, both criminal and civil. 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.

Your options for a Traffic Citation

Upon receipt of a traffic ticket for any violation where points may be assessed, you have 30 days from the date of issuance of the ticket to exercise one of three options:

• Option 1: Pay Fines and Fees in Full. Points may be assessed.
• Option 2: Elect Driving School
• Option 3: Request a Court Hearing

Option 1 - Pay the Ticket

By paying the civil penalty, you are admitting guilt. The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles will assess points on your driving record (or share the information with the out-of-state authority that issued your driver's license) for moving violations. You have up to 60 calendar days from the date the traffic ticket was issued to pay the entire penalty. There are no options for extending the payment period, as you were already automatically granted a 30 calendar day extension. If you do not pay for the ticket within the 60 calendar days, your penalties will increase and your driver's license may be suspended.

Payments can be made Online, by Mail, or in Person at one of the Clerk of Court locations listed below.

Option 2 - Elect Traffic School

If you are eligible for, and select, pay for and complete an approved driving school (also known as traffic school or the Basic Driver Improvement Course), adjudication (judgment) is withheld, the cost of the ticket is changed, and the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles will not assess points against your driving record. Your auto insurance cannot be increased and your policy cannot be cancelled if you successfully complete driving school. A course certificate of completion provided by the driving school must be returned to this Clerk's Office within 60 calendar days from the date that the ticket was issued. There are no options to extend the time you have to complete driving school and pay for the ticket.

You might not be eligible for driving school, depending on your driving history. Florida allows the driving school election once in a 12-month period and no more than five times in your lifetime. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or you were operating a commercial vehicle at the time, you cannot opt for driving school. You cannot opt for driving school if your ticket was for a driver's license, insurance or vehicle registration violation.

You must elect driving school within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued; if you fail to elect driving school within that 30 day time frame, you will have to pay the full penalty and be assessed points. If you do not submit the school completion certificate to the Clerk by the deadline, your penalties will increase, you will be adjudicated as guilty, and you will be assessed points. If you do not pay the additional penalties from not completing driving school, your driver's license may be suspended until those payments have been received by the Clerk's Office.

Look Up Traffic Ticket, Elect Traffic School and Pay Fine

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

After submitting your certificate, Verify Receipt of Traffic School Completion Certificate.

Option 3 - Contest Your Ticket

If you decide to challenge the traffic ticket in court, you are making a plea of not guilty. Once you request a court hearing, you give up your right to pay the civil penalty amount and you give up your right to elect the driving school option. If you are found guilty, you might, in some cases, be fined up to $1,000 plus court costs. You will also be responsible for your attorney's fees.

You must request a court hearing within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued. If you wait until after the 30 calendar days to request a court hearing, you must pay late fees and suspension fees before a court hearing date will be scheduled. If you request a court hearing, you need to let the Clerk's Office know if your address changes -- your hearing notices and court information are mailed to your last known address. If you fail to appear in court on the day, time and location of the hearing, your penalties may increase and your driver's license may be suspended. There is no option to select the court hearing date of your choice; you will be scheduled for the next available date.

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court Locations

Mailing Address

Clerk of Courts
PO Box 3360
Tampa, FL 33601-3360

Downtown Courthouse

800 E Twiggs St
Tampa, FL 33602

Brandon Regional Service Center

311 Pauls Dr, Suite 110
Brandon, FL 33511

Plant City Courthouse

301 N Michigan Ave, Room 1071
Plant City, FL 33563

Phone: 813-276-8100