How to Pay a Florida Traffic Citation
How to pay a Florida traffic citation
You can pay a Florida traffic citation online through the Florida Courts E-Services portal, by mail, in person at the courthouse, or by phone with the clerk of court in the county where you received the ticket. The fastest route is online if you have your citation number and a credit or debit card. Payment goes to the specific county court, not to a state office, so you need to know which county issued your ticket — it's printed on the citation itself.
The amount you owe and the deadline to pay are both on your citation. If you pay before the due date, you typically avoid additional penalties. If you miss the deadline, the court may suspend your driver's license and add late fees. Paying does not mean you admit guilt if you plan to contest the ticket later, but it does resolve the case unless you formally request a hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Your citation shows the county court that issued it and the deadline to respond — both are required to pay correctly.
- Online payment through Florida Courts E-Services is the fastest method if you have your citation number and a card.
- Paying by the due date stops your license from being suspended and prevents late fees from being added.
- You can pay in person at the courthouse, by mail, or by phone with the county clerk, though these methods take longer than online payment.
- Paying a citation does not prevent you from requesting a hearing to contest it, but you must do so before the deadline.
Finding your citation number and county court
Your citation number appears at the top or bottom of the ticket itself, usually in a box labeled "Citation Number" or "Ticket Number." The county court is also printed on the citation — look for the county name and the court name (usually "County Court" or "Traffic Court"). If you cannot find your citation, you can search the Florida Courts E-Services portal by your name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
Keep your citation in front of you when you pay, whether online or by phone. You will need the citation number, the amount due, and the court location. If you have lost the physical ticket, the online search will show you the same information and let you proceed to payment.
Paying online through Florida Courts E-Services
Go to the Florida Courts E-Services website (efactsfl.courts.org) and select "Pay a Citation" from the menu. Enter your citation number or search by your name and date of birth. The system will show the amount due, the deadline, and payment options. You can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. A processing fee (usually $2 to $3) is added to your payment.
Online payment is processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number. Print or save this confirmation — it proves you paid and when. The court receives the payment within one business day. This method works 24 hours a day and requires no phone call or trip to the courthouse.
Paying by mail or in person
To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the exact amount shown on your citation. Include your citation number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on the back of your citation or on the county court's website. Allow at least two weeks for the payment to reach the court and be processed — if your deadline is sooner, do not use mail.
To pay in person, go to the courthouse in the county that issued your citation during business hours (usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Bring your citation and cash, check, or card. The clerk will process your payment immediately and give you a receipt. The courthouse address is on your citation or on the county court's website.
Paying by phone with the county clerk
Call the clerk of court's office in the county where you received the ticket. The phone number is on your citation or on the county court's website. Have your citation number and a credit or debit card ready. The clerk will confirm the amount due and process your payment over the phone. A processing fee may apply. You will receive a confirmation number — write it down.
Phone payment takes a few minutes but requires you to call during business hours. If you reach voicemail, leave your name and citation number and ask for a callback. Payment by phone is slower than online but faster than mail.
What happens if you miss the payment deadline
If you do not pay or respond by the deadline on your citation, the court will issue a failure to pay notice. Your driver's license may be suspended by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You will also owe late fees and court costs on top of the original fine. The longer you wait, the more you owe.
If your license has been suspended, you must pay the citation in full, including all fees and costs, to have it reinstated. You can then contact the DHSMV to request reinstatement. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the court clerk to ask about payment plans or hardship options — some courts allow you to pay in installments.
Contesting a citation instead of paying
If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a hearing before the deadline shown on your citation. You do this by writing to the court or using the Florida Courts E-Services portal. Request a "trial" or "hearing" — the exact term varies by county. You do not have to pay the fine to request a hearing; the court will hold your case open while you prepare.
At the hearing, you can present your side of what happened and question the officer who issued the ticket. The judge will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty. If you are found not guilty, you owe nothing. If you are found guilty, you must pay the fine plus court costs. If you miss the hearing date, the court will find you guilty by default and suspend your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Florida traffic citation online if I don't have the citation number?
Yes. Go to efactsfl.courts.org and use the search function. Enter your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. The system will show all citations issued to you in Florida. Select the one you want to pay and proceed to payment.
What if I pay my citation but still want to contest it?
Paying does not prevent you from requesting a hearing. You must request the hearing before the deadline on your citation. Contact the court clerk or use Florida Courts E-Services to ask for a trial. If you win, the court may refund your payment.
Will my license be suspended if I don't pay by the deadline?
Yes. If you do not pay or respond by the deadline, the court will report you to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which will suspend your license. You must pay the full amount, including late fees, to have it reinstated.
Can I set up a payment plan if I can't pay the full amount at once?
Some Florida courts allow payment plans for citations. Contact the clerk of court in the county that issued your ticket and explain your situation. Ask whether installment payments are available. You must request this before the deadline to avoid license suspension.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up in the court system?
Online payments are processed immediately and you receive a confirmation number. The court's records are updated within one business day. Keep your confirmation number as proof of payment in case there is a delay.