Learn more here about:
- Florida’s point system
- Why you want to avoid points on your driver’s record
- What you can do if you have points or get in an accident
How Are Points Added To Your License?
When you get certain traffic violations in the state of Florida, the FLHSMV is automatically notified, and they add a certain number of points to your license based on the infraction.
When you accumulate a certain number of points within a certain time frame, the state can suspend your license.
Top Reasons To Avoid Points On Your Florida License
You should always avoid getting points on your Florida driver’s license. Your auto insurance rate can increase, you could get a license suspension, and you might not be able to apply for certain jobs or positions.
Further, if you get in a car accident and you have traffic citations or points on your license, this could limit the settlement you can seek in a personal injury claim.
Below you will find information on the top reasons to avoid getting points on your license in Florida.
1. Your Driver’s License Can Be Suspended
One of the first impacts you may see after getting points on your driver’s license is a license suspension.
A suspended license in Florida can happen when you get too many points in too short a time period.
Traffic Violations That Cause Points On Your License
According to the FLHSMV, certain infractions can lead to points on your license.
Violations that could cause points on your license include:
- Reckless driving: 4 points
- Fleeing an accident scene without sharing your information: 6 points
- Careless driving: 3 points
- Speeding: 3-4 points, depending on how far over the speed limit you were going
- Driving too fast for the conditions: 3 points
- Passing a bus on the door side while it is stopped: 4 points + a mandatory court hearing
- Passing a stopped school bus: 4 points
- Running a red light or stop sign: 3-4 points depending on the scenario
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 3 points
- Failure to yield: 3 points
- Improper backing up: 3 points
- Failure to follow child restraint guidelines: 3 points
Traffic Violations That Result In Automatic Suspension
Certain violations can result in an automatic driver’s license suspension in Florida. Usually, these violations result in a court hearing, where a judge decides whether your license should be suspended on a case-by-case basis.
Some examples include certain Driving Under the Influence (DUI) infractions, street racing, or driving with a medical or visual impairment that prevents you from operating the vehicle safely.
Other times, failure to pay fines or fees could result in an automatic suspension.
Number Of Points That Lead To A License Suspension
Your license can be suspended if you get a certain number of points within a specific period of time.
Common traffic tickets like speeding tickets and reckless driving can lead to points on your license. When you have too many violations over a short time period, the FLHSMV can suspend your license.
The exact details of the suspension depend on how many points you have accumulated, and how quickly.
These point totals/timeframes lead to different levels of driver’s license suspension:
- 12 points within 12 month period: 30-day suspension
- 18 points within 18 month period: Three-month suspension
- 24 points within 36 month period: One-year suspension
Our Featured Case Results
2. Points Can Influence Your Car Accident Case
Having points on your license could be an issue if you try to file a car accident claim.
If you sustain injuries or property damage in a car accident and want to seek compensation, filing a car accident claim against the liable party is the best way to do so.
With points on your record, the defendant could try to use this as evidence that you have a history of violating traffic laws, which they could in turn use to lower your settlement.
Insurance companies will do anything to limit the compensation they have to pay you after an accident. Common traffic violations could be used against you in this scenario.
If you have been in a car crash and you have points on your license, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney to assist you.
The lawyers at Florin|Roebig can handle your claim and ensure that your driver’s license points are not used to limit your settlement.
3. Points Can Stay On Your Florida Driving Record For Years
When you get a Florida traffic ticket and pay your citation, a three-year clock begins for the amount of time you will have points on your license.
This means that for three years, you will have to deal with increased insurance costs, hassles during car accident claims, and potential license suspensions.
4. Points Can Affect Your Insurance Premium
One of the major reasons to avoid getting any points on your license is that they can increase your car insurance premium.
Insurance costs can increase by over 50% when you add points to your record.
The reason that points on your license lead to insurance premium increases is simple: If you have committed traffic violations that lead to points, your insurance company can assume that you are not a safe driver.
If you are not a safe driver, they assume that it is more likely that you will get into an accident (and that they will have to pay for the damage).
Actions like reckless driving, speeding, and failing to yield are all dangerous driving behaviors that can result in points on your record. These actions also show your insurance company that you are not a safe driver.
License Point System For Teenage Drivers
Teen drivers in Florida face even stricter penalties for accruing points on their licenses than other drivers do.
If a teen driver with a learner’s permit receives any traffic infraction, their permit will be extended for one year, or until they turn 18. This means that the time until they can get their real driver’s license will be extended as a penalty.
Other important facts to know about teen license suspensions in Florida:
- Drivers under 18 who have a license will face stricter penalties when points are added to their records.
- Teen drivers with 6 points in a year will have their driver’s license revoked and replaced with a ‘restricted license’.
- The restricted license allows business use only, meaning it can only be used to drive to work or school.
- The license remains restricted for one year, or until the driver turns 18 — whichever comes first.
If a teen driver has 6 points on their license already, they will have their license restriction extended for 90 days for every additional point. Teen drivers also have stricter restrictions in Florida when it comes to DUI laws and penalties.
How Can You Get Points Off Your Driver’s License?
It may be possible to attend a basic driver improvement course at a Florida traffic school to have points removed from your license.
Whether you have this option will depend on the violation that led to the points, your driving history, and other factors.
You may also be able to lower your insurance premium by attending driving school and taking a traffic school course such as a defensive driving course.
A Florin|Roebig car accident lawyer can advise you on what steps you may be able to take to have points removed from your license.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
What To Do After A Car Accident In Florida
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Florida, you should reach out to Florin|Roebig immediately.
Our car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig have been helping Florida residents to get compensated for their injuries and losses after crashes for decades.
Even if you have points on your license, our award-winning law firm can help you build a strong case so the negligent party is held responsible for the crash.
We are backed by numerous awards and accolades, including a recent selection to the “Best Lawyers in America” list. Our team has helped our clients to win over $1 billion in settlements!
Don’t hesitate to take action after a Florida car accident. Call the offices of Florin|Roebig today to learn more or schedule your free initial consultation.
