Understanding Florida Camera Tickets: What You Need To Know

If you've run a red light in Florida, you may be wondering how you'll be notified. Unlike other traffic tickets, red light camera tickets are not handed out in person by police officers. Instead, they are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. This can be problematic if you've moved and haven't updated your address or if your car is registered to multiple people. To check if you have a red light camera ticket, you can try the following methods: performing a license check online or by phone, contacting the relevant courthouse, or speaking with American Traffic Solutions, the company that processes violations for many Florida cities. Taking these steps will help you identify any red light camera tickets and avoid further complications such as a suspended license.

Check your driver's license online

If you want to check whether you've received a red light camera ticket in Florida, there are a few ways to do so online. Firstly, you can enter your driver's license number on the License Check website provided by the Florida DMV. This will allow you to see if you have any red light tickets listed under your license. Alternatively, you can visit your county court's website and search using your driver's license, vehicle plate, or citation number. If you haven't received a notice in the mail and can't find any information online, you can contact the traffic court in the county where the incident occurred for further assistance.

Now, let's focus on checking your driver's license online. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) offers an online portal called MyDMV, where you can review the status of certain items connected to your driver's license. This includes checking your driver status, driver improvement school eligibility, and updating your social security number or insurance information. Additionally, parents can access their child's driving history through this system.

It's important to note that Florida customers must renew their driver's license or ID card every eight years. You can renew or replace your license online through the MyDMV Portal. The expiration date is listed on your credential, and you can renew up to 18 months in advance of the expiration date.

To summarise, the License Check website and MyDMV Portal are both useful online tools for checking your driver's license status and managing any necessary updates or renewals.

Contact the courthouse

If you want to know whether you have a camera ticket in Florida, one of the methods you can use is to contact the courthouse. Here is a detailed and direct guide on how to do this:

• Traffic tickets are enforced at the courthouse for each county where the violation occurred.
• Find the phone number of the courthouse in the county where you think the violation took place and give them a call. For example, the phone number for the Orange County courthouse in Orlando is 407-836-2000.
• If you have recently travelled across the state and are unsure of which county courthouse to call, you will need to contact the court in each county. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is necessary to ensure you don't have any outstanding tickets.
• When you call the courthouse, you will need to provide your name and, if possible, your license plate number. This will allow the courthouse staff to check their records and determine whether you have received any traffic violations in that county.
• If you have received a ticket, make sure to write down the important information, such as the citation number and the date of the ticket. This information will be necessary if you decide to pay or dispute the ticket.
• Keep in mind that each county courthouse enforces red light violations, so you will need to contact the specific courthouse where the violation occurred.
• By contacting the courthouse, you can clarify whether you have any outstanding camera tickets and take the necessary steps to resolve them promptly.

Speak with American Traffic Solutions

If you are concerned that you may have a camera ticket in Florida, one of the ways to check is by calling American Traffic Solutions (ATS). ATS is a U.S.-based firm that produces red-light cameras and other traffic safety technologies.

Many cities in Florida use ATS to process traffic violations. You can reach them at 1-866-225-9975. You will need to navigate their service menu to speak to an operator. Provide your name and license plate number so they can identify if you have any red light tickets. You will be responsible for noting and recording the citation number and date of the ticket if anything comes up on your record.

It is important to note that ATS has been the subject of some controversy. Despite the questionable efficacy of their products, municipal governments across the United States have contracted with ATS to implement its technologies. There have been concerns about the impact of ATS red-light cameras on accidents, with some studies suggesting that they may have a minimal or negative impact on public safety. Additionally, there have been issues with customer privacy and allegations of lobbying efforts to influence legislation in their favor.

Therefore, while contacting ATS may be one way to check for a camera ticket in Florida, it is also important to be aware of the potential concerns surrounding this company and their technologies.

Contest the citation

If you want to contest a red light camera ticket in Florida, you must first request a local administrative hearing. If you do not request a hearing by the deadline stated on your notice of violation, the ticket will be converted into a uniform traffic citation. At that point, failure to appear in court may result in a suspension of your license.

Submitting an Affidavit

If you weren't driving your car when the violation occurred, you can submit an affidavit form. You can download this form online or it may be included with your notice. On the affidavit, you must provide the name, address, and birth date of the person driving your car. If you can, also include their driver's license number. If your car was stolen, get a copy of the police report and attach it to your affidavit.

Contesting the Violation

You can request a hearing by following the instructions on your notice of violation. There may be additional costs for this, which will be listed on your notice. Assess the quality of the photos or video taken by the red-light camera. If the photo of your license plate is blurry, argue that it isn't clear the car is yours. Any violation must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Appealing the Administrative Decision

The decision of a hearing officer on a red-light camera ticket in Florida is considered an administrative decision and can be appealed to the circuit court with jurisdiction over the city or county where the violation occurred. There are 20 circuit courts in Florida. You must file a notice of appeal within 10 days of the date the hearing officer issues their decision.

Enroll in a driver improvement course

If you've received a red light ticket in Florida, you can enroll in a basic driver improvement course to receive an 18% reduction in the citation fee. Note that you only have 30 days to enroll in the course before becoming ineligible.

Here's what you need to know about enrolling in a driver improvement course in Florida:

When to Enroll

It is important to act quickly if you want to enroll in a driver improvement course after receiving a citation. In Florida, you must notify the court of your intention to enroll within 30 days of receiving the citation. This is a hard deadline, and if you miss it, you will lose the option to enroll and points will be assessed on your license.

Course Requirements

The state of Florida requires you to complete a course that is approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). You can find a list of approved course providers on the FLHSMV website or through third-party resources.

Benefits of Enrolling

There are several benefits to enrolling in a driver improvement course. Firstly, it can help you avoid points on your driver's license, which can lead to increased insurance rates or even license suspension. Secondly, completing a course can result in an 18% reduction in the citation fee. Additionally, your insurance company cannot raise your premium or refuse to renew your policy due to a non-criminal traffic infraction, as long as there was no accident involved.

Course Completion

After completing the course, you must provide the course completion certificate to the Clerk of the Courts office in the county where you received the citation. Be sure to follow their specific requirements for submitting the certificate, which may vary by county.

Limitations and Restrictions

It's important to note that you can only take a driver improvement course once every 12 months or a total of eight times within your lifetime. Additionally, you cannot elect to take the course if you have a commercial driver's license or have been cited for going 30 mph above the speed limit.

Frequently asked questions