Where to search for a Miami-Dade County traffic ticket
Miami-Dade County does not operate a single searchable online database for traffic tickets issued by all agencies in the county. Instead, you search based on which agency issued the ticket — the Miami-Dade Police Department, a city police department within the county, or the Florida Highway Patrol.
If you know which agency issued your ticket, you can search their records directly. The Miami-Dade Police Department ticket search is available through the county clerk's website. City police departments (such as Miami Beach Police, Coral Gables Police, or Hialeah Police) maintain their own records, and you will need to contact the specific city. The Florida Highway Patrol uses the state's online ticket lookup system.
If you are unsure which agency issued the ticket, start by calling the Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office at 305-375-2649. They can tell you which agency to contact based on the location where the ticket was issued or your driver's license number.
Key Takeaways
- Miami-Dade County does not have one central ticket database; you search by the agency that issued the ticket.
- The Miami-Dade Police Department ticket search is available through the county clerk's website using your name or case number.
- City police departments within Miami-Dade issue their own tickets and keep separate records you must contact directly.
- The Florida Highway Patrol uses the state's online system, separate from county records.
- The county clerk's office can tell you which agency issued your ticket if you do not know.
Searching Miami-Dade Police Department tickets online
The Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office runs an online search tool for tickets issued by the Miami-Dade Police Department. You can search by your name, case number, or ticket number if you have it. The search is free and available 24 hours a day on the clerk's website.
When you search, the system will show you the ticket number, the violation code, the date issued, and the court case status. This tells you whether the ticket is still open, has been paid, or has a court date assigned. If the ticket shows a court date, that date is when you are required to appear or when your case will be heard.
If you cannot find your ticket in the Miami-Dade Police Department system, it may have been issued by a city police department or the Florida Highway Patrol. Contact the clerk's office to confirm which agency issued it.
City police department tickets in Miami-Dade County
Each city within Miami-Dade County — including Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Doral, Aventura, and others — operates its own police department and maintains its own ticket records. These tickets do not appear in the Miami-Dade Police Department search.
To find a city-issued ticket, contact the police department directly. Most city police departments have a non-emergency phone line where you can provide your name and driver's license number, and they will tell you whether a ticket was issued. Some cities post ticket information online, but this varies by city.
The Miami Police Department, the largest city department in the county, can be reached at 305-603-6000. For other cities, search "[City Name] Police Department" plus "ticket" or "records" to find the right phone number or website.
Florida Highway Patrol tickets
If your ticket was issued by the Florida Highway Patrol — typically for violations on interstate highways, state roads, or turnpikes — it will not appear in Miami-Dade County records. The state maintains a separate system for FHP tickets.
You can search for FHP tickets through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. You will need your name and driver's license number. Alternatively, contact the FHP directly at 1-888-FL-TROOP (1-888-358-7667) and provide your information.
What the ticket search results tell you
When you find your ticket in the system, the results will show the violation code (such as "speeding" or "failure to stop"), the fine amount, and the current status. The status tells you what stage the ticket is in: unpaid, paid, or scheduled for court.
If the status shows "unpaid," you have the option to pay the fine, request a hearing, or request traffic school (if you are a first-time offender in Florida). If a court date is listed, you must appear on that date or contact the court to request a continuance or to enter a plea.
The search results do not always show payment options directly. Once you know the ticket number and amount, you can pay online through the Miami-Dade County Clerk's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office.
Paying or contesting a ticket after you find it
Once you locate your ticket, you have three main paths: pay the fine, request traffic school, or request a hearing to contest the ticket.
To pay online, go to the Miami-Dade County Clerk's website and use the ticket payment portal. You will need your ticket number and the fine amount. Payment by phone is available at 305-375-2649. You can also pay in person at the clerk's office or by mail by sending a check to the address listed on your ticket.
If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket date. This request is filed with the court, not the clerk's office. You can request a hearing in writing or by phone through the traffic court division. If you are a first-time offender, you may also request traffic school instead of paying the fine, which can keep the violation off your driving record.
What to do if you cannot find your ticket
If you searched all three systems — Miami-Dade Police, your city's police department, and the Florida Highway Patrol — and found nothing, the ticket may not have been entered into the system yet. New tickets can take several days to appear in online records.
Call the Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office at 305-375-2649 and provide the date and location where you received the ticket. They can search their records manually and tell you the ticket number, the issuing agency, and the current status. If the ticket was issued very recently, they may ask you to call back in a few days.
If you have the physical ticket in your hand, the ticket number is printed on it. You can use that number to search directly in the clerk's system or call the clerk's office with that number for faster results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a ticket to show up in the Miami-Dade search system?
Most tickets appear within 3 to 5 business days of being issued. Some may take up to two weeks, especially if issued on a weekend or holiday. If your ticket was issued recently and you cannot find it, wait a few days and search again.
Can I search for someone else's ticket?
No. The search systems require your own name or case number. You cannot look up another person's ticket information. If you need information about a ticket issued to someone else, that person must search for it themselves or authorize you in writing to request the information on their behalf.
What if I lost my ticket and do not remember the ticket number?
You can still search using your name and driver's license number in the Miami-Dade Police Department system. If the ticket was issued by a city police department, call that city's police records line with your name and the approximate date. The Florida Highway Patrol can also search by name and license number.
Do I have to go to court if I find my ticket online?
Not necessarily. If no court date is listed, you can pay the fine or request traffic school without appearing in court. If a court date is already scheduled, you must appear on that date unless you contact the court to request a continuance or to enter a plea by mail or phone.
Can I pay a ticket online if I find it in the search results?
Yes, if it was issued by the Miami-Dade Police Department. Go to the Miami-Dade County Clerk's website and use the online payment portal with your ticket number. City-issued tickets may also be payable online through the individual city's website, but this varies. Call the issuing agency to confirm payment methods.