As a Florida resident, if you’ve got an out of state ticket, it certainly can become part of your driving record in Florida. If “points” are involved (as in a speeding ticket), those points will end up on your Florida driving record. One of the differences, however, is that if a ticket is issued out of Florida, you usually won’t be allowed to go to driving school to get the points removed.

Some states allow you to attend driving school in their state, to have the points removed from your Florida record. This may be impossible for you to do, however, due to the time and distance that could be involved.

Getting points on your license can result in much higher insurance rates, suspension, or revocation of your right to drive! You may be able to fight the ticket, but you would have to do so in the state in which it was issued. Things can be worse if you already have points on your Florida license ,and it may put your Florida license in serious jeopardy. Getting the help of a local lawyer specializing in Tampa traffic law matters can help you expedite the process and possibly keep you from serious fines, penalties, or losing your license altogether.

So the short answer is yes, getting a ticket while out of the state of Florida can and usually will negatively affect your Florida license and driving privileges. So this ticket needs to be addressed thoughtfully, and your best defense can be a consultation with a Tampa traffic ticket attorney.

How is My Florida License Affected by Points Issued in Another State?

Although states may differ, the general occurrence is that any points received in another state will end up on your Florida driver’s license. If Florida is your home state, you should know that it treats most tickets issued out of the state as if they were issued in Florida. This includes points, fines, and other penalties that may be involved.

If the out of state offense was serious enough to carry points as a penalty, and even if you pay the ticket, those points will still appear on your Florida license. Also, as stated, Florida imposes restrictions on your right to go to traffic school to get these points removed. If the accumulation of points against your license is high enough, be aware there can be serious consequences to your driving privileges. In a case like this, you may want to (or have to) fight the case to keep your Florida license.

A simple overview of the point system is:

  • 12 points received within 12 months and your license could be suspended for 30 days.
  • 18 points received within 18 months and your license could be suspended for 3 months.
  • 24 points received within 36 months, and you could lose your license for a year.

So depending on the existing points on your Florida license and the out-of-state points involved, you very well may need an attorney to retain your Florida driving privileges.

Can I Fight an Out of State Traffic Ticket?

If you are a Florida resident and receive a ticket in Florida, it is relatively easy to contest. You can simply go to court to fight the violation, which can be very effective. Going to a local court can:

  • Possibly get the ticket dropped or removed from your license, especially if the issuing officer doesn’t show up.
  • Remove the points involved.
  • Reduce the fees issued, or have them removed.

It is possible to get the same results by fighting an out of state ticket, but the cost, logistics,, and geography involved may make this impossible for you. Even so, the points involved, or other penalties, may be putting your Florida license in jeopardy, so fighting the ticket becomes almost mandatory.

By consulting with a Florida traffic ticket defense attorney to help to fight your ticket, this out of state legal battle becomes easier and much more feasible. Your lawyer can explain your options, and you both can decide on the path that needs to be followed for the best possible outcome.

Your insurance costs rising or the possible loss or suspension of your license can have a serious impact on you and your family. By getting the professional help you need, the whole process can cost less, give you less stress, and overall work out for the best.

What Exactly is the DLC?

Due to the signing of the Driver License Compact (DLC) by most states, your driving record will follow you almost anywhere you go in the United States. The DLC is an interstate agreement that facilitates states’ exchange of information regarding traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations. So any tickets, penalties, fines, etc. will usually come back to affect your Florida license and driving record. The points you receive will be added to your record in Florida and will stay on that record for 5 years.

The State of Florida considers your license to be a privilege and not a right. Also, as we all know, not having a license can affect your employment, your income, and the overall stability and lifestyle of you and your family. So, no matter what the circumstances, getting a speeding violation (or any other infraction of the traffic laws) out of state should always be taken seriously.

At first, trying to fight the ticket can seem overwhelming to consider. An attorney can help you through every step of the process. Reach out for help as soon as possible.