Traffic - General Information

The Traffic Violation Bureau of the Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides a wide variety of services, both to the public and Law Enforcement agencies. This division handles all Criminal and Civil traffic citations and marine patrol civil infractions. Citations are entered into the system and the public has the convenience of paying citations at several locations. Information regarding the payment of traffic citations and other related fines may be found on this page.

If you have a question or would like more information concerning the Traffic Division or your traffic citation, please consult our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The customer service phone center can be reached at (904) 391-6700 from 8:30 to 4:30, Monday - Friday. Our main office is located at 3470 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida, and our lobby hours are from 7:30am until 6:00pm, Monday - Friday, except legal holidays.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective October 5, 2009 the Traffic Division’s lobby hours will change to 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, except legal holidays along with our customer service phone center’s main number will be changed to 904-630-5100, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Payment of Traffic Citations

• To prevent suspension of your Driver License, Civil citations must be complied with by the 90th day from date of issue. Proof of correction of faulty equipment (316.610) must be shown within 30 days.
• If mailed, the envelope must be in the Clerk's Office by the 90th day from date of issuance. Postmarks are not considered. There is no grace period. Absolutely no citation payments or citation transactions of any kind may be placed in any drop box at any Tax Collector Office. Do not mail cash.
• Civil Court dates must be requested within 90 days of the date the citation was issued. Criminal Court dates must be requested within 30 days.The FAX number to request a Court Date is (904) 306-2128. Effective October 5, 2009 please fax your request to 904-630-5199.
• You may pay your fine or school election fee by mailing the appropriate amount to: Jim Fuller, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Traffic Violations Bureau, P.O. Box 660, Jacksonville, FL 32201.
• Civil Traffic Violations may be paid in person at the locations listed in the table below. The locations below are closed on approved City holidays.

Moving Violation Information

Moving violations include speeding, running stop signs, careless driving, etc. Payable moving or non-moving citations may be paid by personal check, cashier's check, money order or cash. (DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL)

Options to comply with these citations are:

1. Set Court Date within 90 days from the date the citation was issued by: appearing in person, requesting by fax, requesting by mail, or on our Traffic Citation System.
2. Enter a plea of guilty and pay the fine required by law (see "Schedule of Fines" below). If the incorrect amount has been entered on the back of your yellow copy in error, the correct fee required by Florida statute must be collected.
3. Elect Driver Improvement School, if eligible. Complete driving school, then bring or mail in your proof of completion certificate and Driver Improvement election fee within 90 days from the date of the citation.
   
   • You are eligible to elect Driving School five times in a lifetime and only one time in a twelve month period, counted by date of election, not by the date you attended the school.
   • If you elect school by mail, the school packet for registration will be returned to you by mail within 10 days. Please call if you do not receive it. If you elect in person, you will be given instructions then. School Election fees must be paid to the Clerk's Office before registration fee is paid to Driver Improvement School.

IMPORTANT - IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND DRIVING SCHOOL, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN 90 DAYS TO:

• Determine your eligibility to attend Driving School (as stated above).
• Attend the Driving School of your choice.
• Present the certificate of Driving School completion to the Clerk's Office to assure credit for completion.
• Pay the Driving School election fee to the Clerk's Office.

Schedule of fines on Civil Traffic Infractions

Fees for violations in a school or special hazard (construction) zone may double the fine amounts.

Pedestrian & Bicycle (for persons 14 years of age or less) - $60.00

Driver Improvement School

• You may elect school for moving violations allowing defendant to receive a Withhold of Adjudication and not receive points if the defendant has not made an election within the prior twelve months nor more than five elections in a lifetime. You cannot elect driver improvement school if you are a CDL holder.
• Effective February 1, 2009 - Pursuant to SB 12A; Florida Statute 318.14(9) you can no longer receive an 18% reduction for school elections. If you elect Driver Improvement School you will receive a withhold of adjudication and no points will be applied to your driving record.
• Please remember that your school completion must be returned to the Clerk of Courts Traffic Violations Bureau upon completion.
• In addition to a registration fee at the driver improvement school (which varies), the following fees apply:
  

Traffic Schools

For your convenience, we have provided a list of traffic schools that have provided us with their website addresses.

• Traffic School Listing

Nonmoving Violations

Compliances Violations:

1. No valid driver's license - expired less than four (4) months
2. No valid registration
3. No valid tag
   
   
   • $96.00
   • $78.25 - Clerk withhold
   
   
4. No valid insurance
   
   
   • $99.00
   • $81.75 - Clerk withhold
   
   

DISMISSAL - $10.00, if valid prior to date of citation and presented to the Clerk of Courts within 30 days of the citation.

Equipment corrected within 30 days (on certain equipment) Statute 316.610 - $83.00 & no points.

Mandatory court appearances

• Leaving a child in an unattended vehicle
• Accident involving a serious bodily injury
• Accident involving a fatality
• Speed 30+ MPH in excess of posted speed limits

Traffic court: 3490 Beach Boulevard - Southgate Plaza

POINTS ON LICENSE:

• 12 points in 12 months - license suspended 30 days
• 18 points in 18 mos. - license suspended 90 days

Payment of civil traffic fines by credit card over the telephone

(Fee: $9.95)

Credit Card Payment Instructions
Visa or Master Card

1. Call 1-904-630-1313
2. Press 2
3. Enter your citation number.
4. Enter credit card number and expiration date.
   
   • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
   • The system will give you a verbal receipt.
   • There is a $9.95 fee for using this service.

Any civil traffic fine requiring proof of compliance or which is late must be paid by mail or in person, and cannot be paid online or by phone.

Payment of civil traffic fines using the internet

Payment by Internet using a credit card:

• Online traffic citation payment site

Any civil traffic fine requiring proof of compliance or which is late must be paid by mail or in person, and cannot be paid online or by phone.

Traffic Mailing Address:

Please use the following mailing address for correspondence with the County Traffic department unless otherwise specified.

Frequently Asked Questions -

• What is a Civil Traffic Infraction?

  A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by the payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a defensive driving course however if your citation involves serious bodily injury, a fatality, leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, or speed 30+ MPH in excess of posted speed limits you are required to appear before the Court.

  Listed below are examples of civil charges: pedestrian violations, bicycle violations, non-moving violations such as; not wearing your seat belt, not carrying your driver’s license, registration, or insurance card, expired registration less than 6 months, or expired driver’s license less than 4 months, moving violations such as; speeding, running a red light or stop sign, careless driving, child restraint violations, or failing to maintain a single lane.

• What are the procedures for handling a citation for failure to carry or display a driver’s license, registration, and/or a license tag?

  If the officer charged you with no/failure to carry or display a valid driver's license, registration, license tag and you have proof that it was valid at the time the officer issued the citation, you may submit proof of your valid document(s), a $10.00 dismissal fee, and the yellow copy of your citation to the Clerk's Office. Clerk Office personnel will dismiss the charge.

• What are the procedures for handling a citation for failure to carry proof of insurance?

  If the officer charged you with failure to carry valid insurance, and you have proof that it was valid at the time the officer issued the citation, you may send a photocopy of your valid document, a $10.00 dismissal fee, and the yellow copy of your citation to the Clerk's Office. Clerk's Office personnel will dismiss the charge. Please send your request to the mailing address provided above.

• Which citations require a mandatory court appearance?

  The following charges require a mandatory court hearing:

  • Leaving a child in an unattended vehicle
  • An accident involving a serious bodily/personal injury
  • An accident involving a fatality
  • Passing on enter/exit side while bus is stopped
  • Speed 30+ MPH in excess of posted speed limits

  
  
• How do I obtain a court continuance for my civil traffic citation?

  If your civil court date has been set, the Clerk's Office has the authority to change the civil court date once. Afterwards, if there is a problem, you must file the appropriate "Motion" to request a court continuance. Submit the written "Motion" to Traffic Violation Bureau, 3470 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32207, and the motion will be forwarded to the appropriate Hearing Officer or Judge.

  CLERK PERSONNEL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE SUCH AS HOW TO FILE A MOTION. PLEASE CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE.

• How can I get my driver’s license reinstated?

  The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle will reinstate your license for a fee of $47.50. You must have proof that all outstanding suspensions in every county have been satisfied. Please contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle at (850)-922-9000 for instructions.

• How do I obtain a record search of my driving record in order to obtain a hardship license?

  The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) may require you to furnish them a letter from the Clerk's Office reflecting any violations or charges you have incurred or had disposed of in the last 12 months. The Clerk’s Office will charge you $5.00 for this service.

  A record search may be obtained at the following locations:

  Traffic Violation Bureau
  3470 Beach Blvd.
  Jacksonville, FL 32207
  
  
• Can I pay my out of county traffic citation at a Duval County Clerk’s Office?

  No, you must pay your citation in the county in which you received it. Some counties have Out of County Defensive Driving School Affidavits. You can fill them out and send them to the correct county. You may attend a school in another county. However, you must first take care of the citation in the county that issued the citation.

• What should I do if I have a change of address?

  Follow the instructions listed in your Florida Driver’s Handbook. A complete copy of the handbook is available on the Internet at: Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website

• What forms of payment are acceptable for a traffic citation?

  You may pay with cash, money order, or a personal check drawn on a United States bank. If making payment at our office location, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and most debit cards.

• Can I pay my city parking citation at the Duval County Clerk Office?

  No, parking citations are issued by the Public Parking Division and are paid at any Duval County Tax Collector’s Office.

• Can I obtain an affidavit to go to defensive driving school in Duval County if my citation was issued by another county?

  Yes, you can visit the Traffic Division and obtain an Out of County Affidavit. The charge for the affidavit is $7.00.

• Does attending defensive driving school keep the citation off my driving record?

  No, the citation will show on your full driving record, but will show adjudication withheld. This means no points will be assessed.

• Can I elect to attend defensive driving school after I have paid my citation?

  No, once you pay your citation, you have made your one election for that violation. If you wish to attend school, you must make that election first.

• Does attending defensive driving school keep my insurance rates down?

  Please consult your respective insurance company for this information.

• Where can I find a list of defensive driving schools?

  For Basic Driver Improvement Courses, please visit the State of Florida DHSMV's Basic Driver Improvement Course listing. For additional courese, and for other class types, please consult your local yellow pages.

• Will the defensive driving school notify the Duval County Clerk’s Office when I have completed the class?

  No, you must send your completion certificate to the Clerk’s Office.

• How can I obtain a copy of a driver's license search?

  You may obtain a driver's license search by returning to our home page and clicking on the Florida Driving Record link, or you may purchase it in person at any of our office locations. The prices are as follows:

  Driver's License Search
  	Prior to September 1, 2009	Effective September 1, 2009
  3 years	$14.95	$20.85
  7 years	$16.95	$23.85
  Complete record	$19.95	$26.85

  
  
• What are my options for disposing of a traffic civil citation?

  You have 3 basic options. The Clerk's office must receive your option with payment.

  • Pay the traffic citation (Payable moving violations may be paid within 90 days)
    
    

    • Payment by telephone using a credit card (Visa or Master Card). The system will give user a verbal receipt number. There is an additional charge of $9.95 for using this option:
      • Call 1-904-630-1313.
      • Press 2.
      • Enter your citation number.
      • Enter credit card number and expiration date.
    • Payment in person at the Main Department Location or at any Satellite Location.
    • Payment by mail by sending to the above mailing address.
    • Payment by website via Traffic Citation System

    If you choose to pay the civil penalty, you are admitting guilt and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) will assess points on your driving record for moving violations. For Driver License, Registration, or Insurance violations, proof of compliance is also required.

    You may make payment in person or by mail. If paying by mail, please remember that the Clerk's office must receive the payment within applicable 30 or 90 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. We are not responsible for lost or delayed mail. Enclose the yellow copy of the citation with payment so that we can match the payment to the correct case file. Payment can be made with checks or money orders drawn on a United States Bank.

    ONCE YOU HAVE PAID IN FULL, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR OPTION TO SELECT A DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL.

  • Elect Defensive Driving School

    Commercial drivers are NOT eligible for school elections.

    You may elect defensive driving school on any non-mandatory court appearance citation that has points assessed. These are typically moving violations such as, speeding, running a red light, fail to maintain a single lane, child restraint.

    If you elect the defensive driving school option, adjudication is withheld, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) will not assess points against your driving record.

    You are eligible to elect the defensive driving school once every 12 months and five times in a lifetime. To elect this option, you must fill out the Traffic School Affidavit Form and pay the school election fee within 90 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. The forms are available from the officer at the time they issue the citation, or from the Clerk's office.

    You must attend or complete a defensive driving course approved in the State of Florida. Courses offered in other states are not acceptable.

    Once you have completed the school, you must return the school completion certificate to the Clerk's Office within 60 days from the date you paid the school election fee.

    It is your responsibility to enroll in the traffic school of your choice. For information concerning traffic school enrollment, locations, and fees, please contact a traffic school. Traffic schools are located in your local yellow pages under Driving Instruction.

    ONCE YOU ELECTED THE TRAFFIC SCHOOL OPTION, YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR ELECTION TO PAY THE CIVIL PENALTY.

  • Elect a court hearing

    You can request a court hearing in person, in writing, or on our website. The Clerk's Office must receive your request in writing 90 calendar days of the date the officer issued the citation. If you request a court hearing after the 90 calendar days of the date the citation was issued, you automatically waive your right to a speedy trial. Please visit or send your request to our mailing address.

    If you appear in court, you waive your right to paying the civil penalty amount. The Judge can fine you up to $1,000.00. The Judge can also order you to attend driver improvement school and/or pay a penalty. If you fail to attend a requested hearing, it may result in a driver's license suspension; or the Judge can hear your case without you being present. The Clerk's office will notify you of the Judge's decision.

    If it is impossible or impractical for you to appear in court in person, you may be eligible to elect a court hearing by affidavit. If eligible, upon request the Clerk's Office can mail you an Affidavit of Defense to complete and instructions for posting a bond in lieu of your appearance. This form must be notarized and the applicable bond amount must be submitted. The Judge will read the affidavit in the courtroom. The officer and any witnesses may testify and the Judge will render a verdict. The Clerk's Office will notify you by mail of the disposition of your citation.

Documents & Publications

•  - FDLE Application for Certificate of Eligibility to Seal or Expunge
•  - FDLE Seal or Expunge FAQ