So, you've been pulled over. Your first thought is probably, "How much is this speeding ticket going to cost me?" If you're looking for information on a basic driver improvement course or the best online traffic school to handle a citation, you've come to the right place.
In Florida, the base fine for a speeding ticket can run anywhere from $50 to over $600, but that's really just the tip of the iceberg. The final amount on that ticket depends heavily on a few key things: how fast you were going, which county gave you the ticket, and if you were in a special area like a school zone or construction zone.
What a Florida Speeding Ticket Really Costs
Getting a speeding ticket feels like getting a surprise bill you never planned for. The number written on the ticket itself is just the beginning.
Think of it like this: the base fine is the price of an item, but then you have to add taxes and other fees. In Florida, every county adds its own court costs and extra charges, and these can sometimes double the first fine. The real shock, however, often comes later.
This image breaks down the three main money hits you'll take from a single ticket: the fine itself, the court fees, and the long-term pain of your car insurance costing more.
As you can see, the biggest money problem isn't the one-time payment to the court. It's the higher insurance costs that can follow you for years. This is why just paying the ticket and moving on is often a costly mistake for Florida drivers.
Understanding the Base Fines
The main part of your ticket's cost comes from a state law. Specifically, Florida Statute 318.18 sets the standard fines based on just one thing: how many miles per hour (MPH) you were driving over the speed limit. You can see the full text of the law at the official Florida Statutes website.
Here’s a look at the standard base fines before any county fees are added on.
Estimated Florida Speeding Ticket Fines (Base Amount Only)
This table shows the standard fines for speeding based on Florida Statutes, before county court costs and other fees are added.
| Miles Per Hour (MPH) Over Speed Limit | Estimated Base Fine |
|---|---|
| 6-9 MPH Over | $25 |
| 10-14 MPH Over | $100 |
| 15-19 MPH Over | $150 |
| 20-29 MPH Over | $175 |
| 30+ MPH Over | $250+ |
Remember, these numbers are just the start. Speeding in a school or construction zone will double these fines. This rule is made to protect children and people working on the roads.
It's More Than Just a Fine
Besides the money, it's very important to remember that speeding is a serious safety danger. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a part of 29% of all deaths in car crashes in a recent year, leading to over 11,000 deaths.
For most drivers who get a non-criminal traffic citation, the smartest choice is often to take an online traffic school course. Choosing to complete a basic driver improvement course is a great option that can keep points off your license and, most importantly, stop your insurance company from making you pay more.
Don't Be Fooled by the Number on the Ticket
That little piece of paper the officer hands you? The dollar amount printed on it is just a small part of the full cost. It’s a common, and often expensive, surprise for Florida drivers when they find out what they really owe. The base fine is just a starting point.
Here's the trick: every county in Florida adds its own court costs and extra charges. It's not optional; Florida Statute 318.14 says these fees must be paid, and they can easily double the cost of the ticket. This is why a ticket for going 15 MPH over the limit in Miami-Dade might have a different final price than the same ticket in another county. You can usually find a list of these extra costs on your local Clerk of Court’s website.
The Real Damage Is to Your Insurance Rates
The biggest money problem doesn't come from the ticket itself. The real long-term pain is what happens to your car insurance bill.
When you just pay a speeding ticket, you are saying you are guilty. That adds points to your driving record, and insurance companies see those points as a big red flag. They see you as a higher-risk driver, and your bills go up. A single speeding ticket can easily make your yearly insurance bill go up by hundreds of dollars. And that increase isn't a one-time thing—it can stick with you for the next three to five years.
Example: A $150 ticket might seem okay. But add a $300 yearly insurance increase for three years, and you're suddenly paying an extra $900. That one moment of speeding just became a big money problem.
This is exactly why something like a basic driver improvement course is often the smartest money decision you can make. A BDI course, which most people just call traffic school Florida, lets you avoid getting points on your record. No points, no insurance increase. It’s that simple.
Our online traffic school is made to solve this problem quickly and easily. By taking our 4 hour traffic school Florida course, you can protect your driving record and keep your insurance bills from going up. You can get started right away by registering at https://bdischool.com/register.
Florida's New "Super Speeder" Law Explained
Listen up, Florida drivers. There's a big change coming to how the state handles very fast speeding, and it’s something everyone needs to know. A new law, starting on July 1, 2025, gets tough on people driving at very dangerous speeds.
This isn't your normal speeding ticket. The "Super Speeder" law makes driving way too fast a crime. If you're caught going 50 MPH or more over the limit, or driving at any speed over 100 MPH, you won't get a simple ticket—you'll be facing criminal charges.
What Criminal Charges Mean for Drivers
Under the new law, known as CS/HB 351, one bad choice on the road can result in a permanent criminal record. That kind of mark on your record can have serious, long-lasting problems that go way beyond just paying a fine.
Here's an official summary from the Florida Senate that explains the changes.
As you can see, the new law adds a criminal punishment for high-speed driving that didn't exist before. For these offenses, taking a traffic school for speeding ticket online won't be an option to clear your record.
The punishments are tough and get worse if it happens again:
- First Time: You could face up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- Second Time (within 5 years): Things get more serious, with up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and you could lose your license.
Florida is not the only state getting tougher. In other places, extreme speeding can lead to very high fines. This is why states are making much tougher laws.
While the "Super Speeder" law is for extreme cases, our driver education courses are still a great solution for regular speeding tickets. We offer a range of Florida approved traffic schools online. You can find all our fast and easy courses at https://bdischool.com/courses.
How to Avoid Points and Insurance Hikes
So, you got a speeding ticket. It happens. But before you just pay the fine, you need to know there's a much smarter way to handle it—one that can save you a lot of money and trouble.
Florida gives drivers a great option: taking a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course. Think of it as a get-out-of-jail-free card for your driving record.
Finishing a state-approved BDI course means the points from that ticket just disappear. They never get added to your license. Why is this a huge deal? Because no points means no red flag for your insurance company. You get to avoid the painful bill increase that almost always comes with a ticket.
The Smart Way to Handle a Ticket
The process is very simple. When you get a ticket, you just tell the clerk of court in that county that you want to take a BDI course. This is your right under Florida Statute 318.14(9) for most common tickets. The only rule is you can only use this option once every 12 months.
The Big Benefit: The real win here is money. By keeping those points off your record, you avoid the expensive, long-term problem of higher insurance bills. A small, one-time course fee now saves you from paying hundreds, or even thousands, in extra insurance costs over the next few years.
Our 4-hour traffic school is made for real life—it's fast, all online, and you can do it from your couch. When you're done, you get your certificate right away.
Getting started is quick and easy.
The sign-up process takes just a few minutes, putting you on the fast track to protecting your driving record. To see how it works, check out our guide to the Florida Online Traffic School.
Choosing The Right Florida Driver Education Course
Figuring out which driver education course you need can feel a little confusing, but it's simple once you know your options. Whether you have a new traffic citation or are helping a teenager get their first license, there’s a specific driver training course for your situation. We make it fast and easy so you can get the right certificate and get on with your life.
If you have a normal speeding ticket, the 4-Hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course is almost always what you need. Think of this traffic school for speeding ticket online as your way to avoid points on your license. A little time spent here can stop a big insurance bill increase later.
Find The Right Course For Your Needs
We offer several Florida approved traffic schools online, each made to meet a different state rule. Every driver safety course has a special purpose for Florida drivers.
This image gives you a quick look at our main driver education courses so you can see your options easily.
As you can see, our programs are made for specific needs. We want to make sure you find the perfect fit, whether you're trying to fix a ticket or get a new license.
- 4-Hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course: This is the most common course. If you got a regular ticket, taking this course keeps points off your license. The big benefit is that your insurance company won't raise your rates.
- 8-Hour Driving School: Did a judge order you to take a longer class? This course is for that. It's often for more serious tickets or if you have many tickets. The benefit is you follow the judge's order and avoid more trouble.
- 12-Hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) Course: If your license was suspended, you’ll need this course to get it back. The benefit is that it's a key step to getting your driving freedom back.
- TLSAE Course: This is required for all first-time drivers in Florida. Before you can get a learner's permit, you must finish the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course. The benefit is that it lets a new driver legally start learning to drive.
- Permit Test: After the TLSAE is done, new drivers can take the Official Florida Driver's License Permit Test online. The benefit is you can do it from home instead of waiting in line at the DHSMV.
To help you decide, here's a simple guide to our courses.
A Guide to Our Florida Driver Education Courses
Find the perfect course for your needs, from handling tickets to getting your first license.
| Course Name | Who It's For | Main Benefit For You |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Hour BDI Course | Drivers with a regular traffic ticket. | Keeps points off your license and stops insurance from going up. |
| 8-Hour Driving School | Drivers ordered by a judge to take a longer course. | Fulfills the court's order to avoid more punishments. |
| 12-Hour ADI Course | Drivers with a suspended license. | A necessary step to get your license back. |
| TLSAE Course | First-time drivers in Florida who need a learner's permit. | Lets you meet the state rule to start driving. |
| Online Permit Test | New drivers who finished the TLSAE course. | Take the official permit test from home, no lines. |
Choosing the right online driving school from the start saves you a lot of trouble. Our different driver safety course options are made to get you the result you want, whether that’s keeping your insurance cheap or finally getting your license.
The Steep Price of Ignoring a Florida Ticket
Let's be very clear: pretending a traffic ticket doesn't exist is one of the biggest risks you can take as a Florida driver, and you will always lose. The state has a system to make sure that small problem quickly turns into a major headache.
If you don't pay the fine or choose to take a BDI course within the 30-day time limit, the state will move to suspend your driver's license. That's not a small problem. Getting caught driving on a suspended license is a crime, which can lead to big fines and even jail time.
How a Small Fine Snowballs
On top of losing your right to drive, the state will start adding late fees. That ticket that started at $150 can easily grow into a $500 problem once you add the fees to get your license back and other punishments. The state remembers unpaid fines for a long time, so it’s very important to deal with it right away.
Simple Truth: Doing nothing is the most expensive choice you can make. The punishments for ignoring a ticket are made to be much worse than the first fine. Your only smart moves are to either pay it or finish a basic driver improvement course.
In the end, that ticket is your job to handle. By understanding all your options, you can stop these serious problems from ever happening. If you're thinking about what to do next, our guide on how to get a ticket dismissed can give you some good ideas.
Common Questions About Florida Speeding Tickets
Getting a speeding ticket is upsetting, and it's normal to have questions. You're probably wondering what your choices are, how much time you have, and if taking an online traffic school is the right thing to do. Let's go over some of the most common worries we hear from Florida drivers.
How Long Do I Have To Pay A Speeding Ticket In Florida?
The clock starts ticking the moment you get that ticket. In almost every Florida county, you have 30 days from the date on the ticket to make a choice. This means you have to either pay the fine or officially choose to take a basic driver improvement course to keep points off your license.
Can I Take Traffic School For Any Speeding Ticket?
For most common speeding tickets, yes. You can usually choose to take a bdi driving course as long as your ticket isn't for a crime, like the new "Super Speeder" law.
There are a couple of other important rules:
- You can't have taken the course in the last 12 months.
- You can only use this option five times in your life.
Will A BDI Course Remove The Ticket From My Record?
This is a great question, and the answer has a little detail. Finishing a BDI course doesn't make the ticket totally disappear from your driving history. What it does do is stop points from being put on your license.
That's the key. Insurance companies look at points to decide your rates. When you finish the course, the court "withholds adjudication," which is the official way of saying they don't find you guilty. This means no points, and most importantly, no automatic insurance bill increase. You can find more details on how this works on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
When you need the lowest price on Florida traffic school, BDISchool offers the fast and easy driver education courses you need to protect your record. Register now to get started instantly.
