How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Florida? Fines by Speed

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

If you are asking how much is a speeding ticket in florida, state law sets a base fine of $25 to $250, based on how many mph over the limit you were. Court costs set by law are added to that fine, so your clerk’s notice shows the real total. A school zone, a work zone or an election to take traffic school can change the amount.

Key Facts

Fine schedule: $25, $100, $150, $175 or $250, by mph over the limit. See the fine table.
Court costs: $35 for a moving infraction, plus a few small costs the law allows. See court costs.
Zones: school zone fines are $50 at 1–5 over and double above that; posted work zone fines double only when workers are present. See zone fines.
Election: a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) election cuts the civil penalty by 18 percent. See the election.
Top tier: 30 mph or more over is $250 and needs a court hearing. See the top tier.

How Much Is a Speeding Ticket in Florida by Speed

The fine schedule is in s. 318.18(3)(b). It ties the base fine to one number: how far over the posted limit you were.

Miles per hour over	Base fine in s. 318.18(3)(b)	Note
1 to 5	Warning	The schedule lists a warning, not a dollar amount
6 to 9	$25	Lowest dollar tier
10 to 14	$100	Fine jumps by $75 from the tier below
15 to 19	$150	Points rise above 15 mph over
20 to 29	$175	Last tier you may elect BDI for, if eligible
30 or more	$250	Court hearing required

The base fine is also called the civil penalty. Speeding under s. 316.183 is “a noncriminal traffic infraction,” so this schedule is a penalty, not a criminal fine.

Two tiers sit next to lines drawn in other laws. Above 15 mph over, a conviction carries 4 points instead of 3. At 30 mph or more, the case moves to a court hearing.

The table shows only the base fine. It is not the amount you will pay. Court costs come next.

Court Costs Added to the Fine

Florida law adds court costs to every fine. Section 318.18(12) says, “In addition to the stated fine, court costs must be paid.” For a moving infraction, such as speeding, the main court cost is $35.

The same subsection lists a few smaller costs. Some are $2 to $3 each, and some apply only in certain counties. Under s. 318.18(15), certain local governments may also adopt a surcharge of up to $15 by ordinance.

Florida limits what else can be added. Section 318.121 says “additional fees, fines, surcharges, or costs” beyond the ones the law names may not be added. That is why the clerk, not this guide, gives your exact total.

School Zone and Work Zone Fines

Zones change the fine, not the points. The rules are in s. 318.18(3):

School zone, 1 to 5 mph over: a flat $50 fine.
School zone, 6 mph or more over: double the amount in the table.
Posted construction zone: double, but only when workers are present or operating equipment.

A construction zone sign must also give notice that fines double. School zone speed cameras have their own $100 fine for more than 10 mph over. Our school zone and work zone guide covers both zones in detail.

How a Florida speeding fine is built, from the mph over to the clerk's notice

What an Election Does to the Cost

A ticket election changes the math. Under s. 318.14(9), when you elect a Basic Driver Improvement course, any civil penalty imposed by s. 318.18(3) “must be reduced by 18 percent.” That is the base fine from the table above.

The statute names only that civil penalty. It does not mention court costs in the same sentence. Ask your clerk how the cut appears on your notice.

An election also has costs of its own:

The clerk’s election fee. You pay it to the clerk of court. No statewide amount is set.
The course fee. The provider sets it and must disclose all fees.
A $2.50 state assessment. Section 318.1451 adds it to the course fee.

The election must be made within 30 days of the ticket date, before you take the course. It also keeps points off your record for that ticket. Our pillar guide on Florida ticket costs, points and options explains who can elect.

When the Discount Is Lost

The 18 percent cut depends on finishing the course on time. The court or clerk sets that date. If you miss it, s. 318.15 says you are found guilty and points are added.

You then pay back the 18 percent you saved. You also pay a processing fee of up to $18.

When the Fine Is Due

You have 30 days from the date the ticket was issued to act. That deadline is in s. 318.14(4). In that time, you pay the fine and costs, elect a BDI course if you qualify, or ask for a hearing.

Paying counts as a conviction. Florida’s definition of conviction in s. 322.01 includes “an admission” of a noncriminal traffic infraction. The Orange County Clerk puts it plainly: “Payment of the civil penalty is considered a conviction.”

An election does not skip the payment. The same clerk says, “When you elect this option, you agree to pay the civil penalty and complete traffic school.” It also warns that “a late fee will be assessed if this election is not made by the due date.”

Other Costs Tied to a Speeding Ticket

The fine and court costs are the main charges. A few other costs can follow, depending on what happens next.

A hearing. If you contest and the official finds you committed the infraction, s. 318.14(5) allows a civil penalty of up to $500. The Orange County Clerk adds “plus court costs.”

A suspension. If you do not pay or respond, the clerk notifies FLHSMV, and FLHSMV suspends your license. Section 318.15 points to a nonrefundable $60 service charge to reinstate after that kind of suspension.

Insurance. Under s. 626.9541(1)(o)4, an insurer may not surcharge you just for one noncriminal ticket. Speeding more than 15 mph over is one of the exceptions.

Points. A conviction adds 3 points at 15 mph over or less, and 4 points above that, under s. 322.27. Our speeding points guide covers them.

Points can cost you your license, too. FLHSMV may suspend a license for up to 30 days at 12 points in 12 months. For example, three 4-point tickets in 12 months reach 12 points.

A points suspension has its own course rule. The FLHSMV points page requires proof of enrollment in an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course to reinstate. That is a different course from BDI.

The Top Tier and Beyond

At 30 mph or more over the limit, the base fine is $250. This ticket also falls under s. 318.19, so you must appear at a hearing. You cannot elect BDI for it.

At 50 mph or more over, a second rule applies. Since July 1, 2025, s. 316.1922 makes it the crime of dangerous excessive speeding. It also covers 100 mph or more in a way that threatens people or property.

A first conviction for that crime can bring up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine. That is a criminal case, not a line in the fine table.

Costs for Commercial Drivers

A driver who holds a commercial driver license (CDL) or a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) cannot elect BDI. That bar in s. 318.14(9) applies to any ticket, in any vehicle. So a CDL holder does not get the 18 percent cut.

For a CDL holder, speeding 15 mph or more over is a serious traffic violation under s. 322.61. Two of them within 3 years bring a 60-day disqualification from driving a commercial vehicle.

Three bring 120 days. Our CDL speeding guide has the details.

For one tier in depth, see our guide to a 20 over speeding ticket.

What We Found on the Official Pages

We read the 2026 text of s. 318.18 on October 27, 2026. The speeding tiers were the same six listed above, from a warning to $250.

The history of the section showed two 2026 laws. Those changed school bus penalty rules and a $3 surcharge, not the speeding schedule. The speeding statute, s. 316.183, still calls speeding “a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.” If your notice shows a different base fine, ask your clerk.

Florida speeding ticket costs beyond the base fine: court costs, surcharge, hearing penalty and fees

Common Mistakes

Each item below comes from Florida Statutes:

Treating the table as the total. Court costs are always added to the base fine.
Doubling a school zone fine at 1 to 5 over. That tier is a flat $50.
Doubling every work zone fine. It doubles only when posted and when workers are present or operating equipment.
Expecting the 18 percent cut without finishing. Missing the finish date brings the full amount back, plus a fee.
Expecting to elect at 30 mph over. That ticket needs a court hearing.
Ignoring the notice. An unpaid ticket leads to a suspension and a $60 service charge to reinstate.

How Requirements Can Vary

Florida’s election rules, point values and suspension levels come from Florida Statutes and FLHSMV, and they apply statewide. The election fee, the date to finish the course and how proof is filed are set by the Clerk of Court in the county on your ticket, or by the court. A court order sets its own deadline and proof steps.

Laws, fees and clerk practice can change. Check your citation, your clerk’s instructions, any court order and the FLHSMV website before you enroll or file anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest Florida speeding ticket?

The lowest dollar tier is $25, for 6 to 9 mph over the limit. At 1 to 5 mph over, the schedule lists a warning instead. Court costs are added to any fine.

How much is the court cost on a speeding ticket?

For a moving infraction, the main court cost is $35 under s. 318.18(12). The law also allows a few smaller costs and, in some places, a local surcharge of up to $15.

Is the Florida speeding ticket cost the same in every county?

The base fine is set by state law, so it is the same statewide. Some court costs and surcharges apply only in certain counties. Your clerk’s notice shows the total for your case.

Does traffic school lower a speeding ticket?

Yes, if you make a valid election. The civil penalty from s. 318.18(3) is cut by 18 percent. You also pay the clerk’s election fee and the course fee.

How much is a speeding ticket in a school zone?

At 1 to 5 mph over, it is $50. Above that, the fine is double the regular amount. Court costs are still added.

What happens if I do not pay?

The clerk notifies FLHSMV, and FLHSMV suspends your license under s. 318.15. Reinstating after that suspension comes with a $60 service charge.

How long do I have to pay a speeding ticket?

You have 30 days from the date the ticket was issued, unless the ticket needs a court hearing. If you do not act, the clerk notifies FLHSMV and your license is suspended.

Can a speeding ticket raise my insurance?

Florida limits this. An insurer may not surcharge you just for one noncriminal ticket, but speeding more than 15 mph over is an exception. After a valid election with no points, an insurer may not raise your premium because of that ticket, unless it involved a crash where the insurer had a loss due to your fault.

Conclusion

A Florida speeding ticket starts with a base fine of $25 to $250, and court costs are added to it. Zones can double the fine, and a valid election cuts it by 18 percent.

Check your clerk’s notice for the exact total and your deadlines. If you qualify and decide to elect, take the Florida BDI course online.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a driver improvement course provider serving Florida and other U.S. states.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Election rules, deadlines, fines and penalties depend on your citation, county, court and case facts, and they can change. Use official FLHSMV, Florida Statutes and Clerk of Court sources, and consult a qualified Florida attorney for advice about your own case.