A Civil Traffic Citation is a noncriminal traffic violation that is not punishable by incarceration and for which there is no right to a trial by jury or a right to court-appointed counsel. Most civil traffic infractions do not require a court appearance, but can be disposed by paying a civil penalty, requesting an infraction hearing, or electing to attend a driver improvement course. The Clerk of the Court collects all traffic fines and distributes the proceeds according to law. The total amount of a traffic fine consists of amounts required to be paid by Florida Law as well as by County and City ordinances.
Ticket Payment Options
Upon receipt of a civil traffic citation for any non-criminal violation, you have 30 days from the date of issuance of the ticket to exercise any one of the following three options:
Pay the Ticket Online using nCourt
A traffic payment is due in the Clerk’s office by the compliance date (within 30 days of receipt of the citation).
Payments may be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person. The Clerk’s office accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. A traffic payment is due in the Clerk’s Office by the compliance date (within 30 calendar days of the issuance date on the citation). Payments received, regardless of the postmark, or payments made after the compliance date will incur an additional late fee and possible suspension of your driver’s license. To pay by phone call nCourt at 1(855) 893-7926.
Pay the Ticket and Elect to Attend a Driver Improvement Course Online using nCourt
This Driver Improvement Course option may not be available to you if:
- Your traffic violation requires a mandatory court appearance
- You possess a valid Class A, B or C commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- You have elected to attend a Florida approved basic driver improvement course within the last 12 calendar months or more than a total of 8 times in a lifetime
- You are not eligible for Driving School Election as determined by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Online Driver License Check
To choose this option, you first must pay the required amount for your violation, to include an additional $7.00 affidavit fee, to the Court within 30 days of the offense date. Pay the violation online with nCourt. You will then be given 90 days to successfully complete a Florida approved basic driver improvement course and provide the completion certificate to the Clerk of Court. The 90 days begins on the date the school is elected and the payment is processed. For a list of Florida approved driving schools in your area refer to the Yellow pages or your telephone directory, or check online at the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
If you elect to take the Driver Improvement Course and fail to attend, or if you turn in your school certificate late, you will be assessed additional fees, points and possible driver license suspension. Certificates submitted after 5pm will be processed the following business day.
Note: if the completion date falls on a holiday or weekend, the certificate must be received prior to that date.
Contest the Ticket in Court
If you choose to enter a Not Guilty plea and contest the traffic citation in court, you must notify the Clerk in writing within 30 days of the date the citation was issued to request a traffic infraction hearing using the Traffic Citation Options Form. You can deliver this completed form to the Clerk’s office via email to [email protected] or in person within 30 days of the compliance date. When you choose this option, you plead not guilty and you waive your right to pay the fine or elect to attend a driver improvement course.
After receipt of this completed form by the Clerk, you will receive a notice from the clerk advising you of the date and time of your hearing. If you reside outside of Okaloosa County, you may attend in person at your own expense or be heard at the hearing by way of an Affidavit of Defense. Subpoenas will be issued for the law enforcement officer as well as any witnesses listed by the officer. You are responsible for making sure any witnesses you want to testify appear at the hearing.
The court may impose a fine up to $500 (in cases of speed in a school zone, work zone or a death, fine may be $1,000) or require you to attend Driver Improvement Course, or both.
More Information
For more information, visit our Traffic Tickets FAQ page.