Check your Florida points through the DHSMV website or by mail

Florida tracks points on your driver's license through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). You can see how many points you have by visiting the DHSMV website, calling their customer service line, or requesting a copy by mail. The online method is fastest — you'll need your driver's license number and date of birth to look up your record in minutes.

Points stay on your Florida record for three years from the date of the violation. If you accumulate too many points within a certain timeframe, the state can suspend your license. Understanding your current point total helps you know where you stand and what might happen next if you get another ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • You can check your points online through the DHSMV website using your license number and date of birth, or by phone at 1-850-617-3800.
  • Florida adds points to your record based on the type of violation — for example, speeding adds 3 points, reckless driving adds 4 points.
  • Accumulating 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months triggers a license suspension.
  • Points remain on your record for three years, but you may be able to remove some through traffic school or by waiting out the three-year period.

How to check points online through DHSMV

Go to the DHSMV website and select the option to check your driving record. You'll be asked to enter your Florida driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will display your current point total and a list of violations that added those points, including the date each violation occurred.

This online record is the official version that insurance companies and law enforcement see. It updates within a few business days after a ticket is processed by the court, so if you were recently ticketed, the points may not show up when ready. If you need your record for insurance or legal purposes, you can print it directly from the website.

Checking points by phone or mail

Call the DHSMV customer service line at 1-850-617-3800 during business hours. Have your driver's license number ready. A representative can tell you your point total and describe which violations are on your record. This method takes a few minutes but doesn't require you to navigate a website.

You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail. Visit the DHSMV website to read the form, or contact a local Driver License office to request one in person. Mail requests take longer — typically one to two weeks — but give you an official document you can keep on file.

What different violations cost in points

Florida assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding costs 3 points. Reckless driving costs 4 points. Driving with a suspended license costs 6 points. At-fault accidents cost 4 points. Leaving the scene of an accident costs 6 points. Driving under the influence costs 6 points on a first offense.

Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment violations, do not add points to your license. Only moving violations — things you did while driving — trigger points. If you're unsure whether a specific ticket added points, your DHSMV record will show exactly which violations are counted.

When Florida suspends your license for too many points

The state uses a three-tier system. If you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you accumulate 18 points within 18 months, your license is suspended for 3 months. If you accumulate 24 points within 36 months, your license is suspended for 12 months.

The DHSMV sends a notice by mail before suspending your license, giving you time to respond. If you believe the points were added in error, you can contest them through the DHSMV. Once your license is suspended, you must complete a driver improvement course and pay a reinstatement fee to get it back.

Removing points from your record

You cannot remove points that are already on your record, but you can prevent future points by taking a defensive driving course. Florida allows you to take an approved traffic school course once every 12 months to remove up to 4 points from a single violation. This is often called a "traffic school waiver" or "point reduction course."

You must take the course before you're convicted of the violation — typically before your court date or within the timeframe the court allows. Some courts require the judge's permission before you can take the course. Check with the court that issued your ticket to learn the important date and whether you need approval first.

Points also age off your record automatically after three years. A violation from three years ago no longer counts toward suspension thresholds, even though it may still appear on your driving record. This is why checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension.

What to do if your license is suspended

If your license is suspended for points, you cannot legally drive. The DHSMV will mail you a notice stating the suspension date and length. You must wait out the suspension period, complete a driver improvement course, and pay a reinstatement fee (typically around $150, though this varies). After you complete these steps, you can reapply for your license.

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Florida. If you're stopped while suspended, you face additional fines, possible jail time, and a longer suspension. If your suspension is due to points and you need to drive for work or medical reasons, contact the DHSMV about a hardship license, which may allow limited driving during your suspension period.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for points to show up on my Florida license after I get a ticket?

Points typically appear on your DHSMV record within a few business days after the court processes your ticket. If you plead guilty, pay a fine, or are convicted, the points are added at that time. If you contest the ticket in court, points are added only if you're found guilty.

Can I remove points by paying a fine or going to traffic school after I'm already suspended?

No. Traffic school removes points only before you're convicted. Once your license is suspended for points, you must complete a driver improvement course and pay a reinstatement fee to restore your license. Traffic school cannot undo a suspension that's already in effect.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Florida suspension?

Yes. Florida's point system includes violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you get a ticket in another state, those points are added to your Florida record and count toward suspension thresholds. Check your DHSMV record to see all violations, including out-of-state ones.

What happens to my points if I move out of Florida?

Your Florida points remain on your record even if you move and get a license in another state. If you return to Florida or are stopped by Florida law enforcement, those points are still active. Some states have reciprocal agreements, so points may also transfer to your new state's system.

Can I dispute points that were added to my license by mistake?

Yes. If you believe points were added in error, contact the DHSMV or the court that issued the ticket. You'll need to provide documentation showing the violation was dismissed, reduced, or incorrectly recorded. The DHSMV can correct your record if you provide proof from the court.