If you recently moved to Florida, chances are your driver’s license and license plate belong to another state. And you might be wondering how long you can get away with driving in Florida with those out-of-state licenses. After all, how could the police possibly know how long you’ve been here? We suggest you don’t find out the hard way.
According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: “In the state of Florida, a motor vehicle is required by law to be registered within ten days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency.”Now, you might be thinking, “So what? I can take care of it after getting a citation and everything will be ok.” Right, and wrong. It is true that Florida law allows you to produce a valid Florida driver’s license and/or vehicle registration at the time of your traffic court hearing if you are cited for this type of violation. So it’s tempting to think you can ignore updating your driver’s license and vehicle registration until you get a citation and then deal with it after. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
IThere are a number of prerequisites to registering your vehicle in Florida. First of all, you need to get a Florida driver’s license. This can be as simple as passing an eye exam if your driving record from your previous state is clean. But if there are any unresolved traffic citations on your previous state’s driving record, or if the Florida DMV examiner questions your ability to safely operate a vehicle, you may be requested to take a written and/or driving test. This can add weeks to the process depending on schedule availability. Another prerequisite to registering your vehicle in Florida is obtaining a valid Florida auto insurance policy. Again, this can be as simple as a phone call, or more difficult if your driving record contains traffic citations which were not considered by your previous insurance carrier (for example, traffic citations received since the last policy renewal which usually occurs every 6 or 12 months).
The final hurdle to registering your vehicle in Florida is obtaining a copy of the car’s title. This is a simple matter if you own the car outright, in which case you should have a copy of the title issued by the previous state. But if your car is leased or financed, you must obtain a copy of the title from the lienholder. This can take a while, and by “a while” we mean several months, depending on the previous state and lienholder (we’ve seen it take up to three months due to supposed “backlogs”).
Add it all up, and you could potentially be waiting months before you get your new Florida driver’s license and vehicle registration. So don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s not a big deal to delay getting your Florida driver’s license and vehicle registration after moving to the state. Before you know it, weeks can turn into months, and those months can multiply.
It is worth noting here that the penalty for driving with an expired (more than 6 months) driver’s license (Florida Statutes 322.03) and/or license plate (Florida Statutes 320.07) is a second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
So don’t wait. Update… your driver’s license and vehicle registration immediately after moving to Florida. Enjoy the weather!
Traffic Lawyer Report: Palm Beach County By The Numbers Over the last decade, Palm Beach County has seen explosive population growth. It is now the 2nd most populated Florida county with 1.524 mil residents according to the 2020 census. That's over a 15% increase in total population. All those new people leads to more traffic [...]
Over the last decade, Pinellas County has seen explosive population growth. It is now the 7th most populated Florida county with 978,872 residents according to the 2020 census.
Over the last decade, Broward County also known as the Fort Lauderdale area has seen explosive population growth. Broward is now the 2nd most populated Florida county with 1,966,120 residents according to the 2020 census. That’s over a 12% increase in total population. All those new people leads to more traffic congestion and ultimately more law […]
Internal Affairs found Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Ralph Brillinger had “a pattern of speeding going to and from work on I-95,” noting that he had gone at least 90 miles an hour at least 12 times in a six-week period!
The Ticket Clinic’s Joel Mumford provides his commentary to the CBS12 West Palm Beach story. Click here.
This recent report from the NSC has some alarming statistics.
In summary, since late 2014 motor vehicle fatalities are up 18% across the nation and Florida leads the nation with a 43% increase in two years. Other states like California 31% and Illinois 24% are on the top of the list.
The National Safety Council timed this release to warn drivers that according to their predictions this upcoming Labor Day Weekend will be one of the most deadly ever recorded. It’s pretty grim. According to their estimates, 483 people will lose their lives in vehicles during the three day holiday weekend.
The NSC’s official advice?
“To help ensure safety, the National Safety Council recommends drivers:
So if you’re hitting the road for Labor Day Weekend 2016 the data says you should be extra careful. If you live in our home states of Florida, California or Illinois you should be extra extra careful. We don’t have any fancy data but we’re predicting increased law enforcement on the roads. Our traffic ticket lawyers will be ready on Sept 6th for all those holiday cases.
Check out their official release here here
Over the last decade, Pinellas County has seen explosive population growth. It is now the 7th most populated Florida county with 978,872 residents according to the 2020 census.
Over the last decade, Broward County also known as the Fort Lauderdale area has seen explosive population growth. Broward is now the 2nd most populated Florida county with 1,966,120 residents according to the 2020 census. That’s over a 12% increase in total population. All those new people leads to more traffic congestion and ultimately more law […]
Over the last decade, Orange County also known as the Orlando area has seen explosive population growth. Orlando is now the 4th most populated Florida city with 290,520 residents according to the 2020 census.
The state of Florida suspends driver’s licenses for many reasons ranging for points violations, DUI, habitual traffic offenses or even medical and vision issues. Finding out if your license is suspended is easier than you may think. The best place to start is the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles website (link included below) From there, all you need to do is to enter a driver’s license number. The checker returns any information about driving restrictions and other things like eligibility for driving school, the type of license. It will clearly tell you the status of any restrictions and why. It’s possible unpaid tickets are the culprit. In some cases, clients have received violations that they never even knew about from red-light cameras! If your driver’s license is suspended here is what you should do:
Here is the link to the Florida DMV Drivers License Checker: https://services.flhsmv.gov/dlcheck/ Check out our case studies of recent wins.
Over the last decade, Pinellas County has seen explosive population growth. It is now the 7th most populated Florida county with 978,872 residents according to the 2020 census.
Over the last decade, Broward County also known as the Fort Lauderdale area has seen explosive population growth. Broward is now the 2nd most populated Florida county with 1,966,120 residents according to the 2020 census. That’s over a 12% increase in total population. All those new people leads to more traffic congestion and ultimately more law […]
Over the last decade, Orange County also known as the Orlando area has seen explosive population growth. Orlando is now the 4th most populated Florida city with 290,520 residents according to the 2020 census.
**Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.
Case#: 16ctXXXX
Charge: DUI
Result: Dismissed
Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the scene of a car facing westbound in the eastbound lane with two flat tires. When deputies approached the car our client was asleep, when asked if everything was okay our client told them that he blew out a tire and was waiting for AAA for roadside assistance. The deputies noticed the smell of alcohol on our client’s breath, that he had bloodshot glassy eyes, and slurred speech. The deputies asked our client to perform field sobriety exercises which he voluntarily did. Our client allegedly performed badly on the exercises, and was arrested for DUI. There was no video taken by the deputies in this case to confirm or deny these allegations.
Our client admitted to the officers that he had two drinks with dinner, but asserted that he performed badly on field sobriety exercises because of the effects of his Type II Diabetes. Our client was asked to take a breathalyzer which he voluntarily did, and blew twice the legal limit at .161.
Our firm prepared for trial. We prepared to challenge the reliability of Breathalyzers on subjects with Type II Diabetes, and assert that any signs of impairment indicated were from the effects of Type II Diabetes.
The State dropped the DUI charge.
Orange County
Charge – Racing on a Highway
Result – Case Dismissed
2016 CT ****
Our client was arrested and charged with Racing on a Highway after an Officer with the Apopka Police Department used a Laser speed measuring device to clock him doing 101 mph in a 45 mph zone. The Officer’s report did not mention any other vehicles involved in the race or that any other person was suspected of or arrested for competing in this “race” against our client. Furthermore, there was no indication that our client’s driving pattern could be considered as reckless driving. After presenting our arguments in court to the Judge, the State agreed to dismiss the case against our client.
Orange County
Charge – Reckless Driving
Result – Case Dismissed
2016 CT ****
Our client was charged with Reckless Driving after a police officer allegedly clocked him at 140 mph in a 70 mph zone on I-4 around 3am. In court, the attorney argued the officer failed to show how our client’s alleged high speed driving in the early hours of the morning without more rose to the level of reckless driving. The State argued that the level of the speed alone was enough to prove that our client was in fact driving recklessly as a matter of driving twice the speed limit. We presented arguments to the court that there was no indication in any report or citation that our client’s driving put any other person at risk or in danger and was insufficient to sustain the charge. The Judge asked the State if there was any evidence any other motorists were at risk, and when the State responded that they did not know, the Judge replied, “Well then the Defense’s argument seems to be right, don’t ya think?” The State responded by dismissing the case against our client.
Winners for Website from 2 weeks ago.
2016 CT ****
Orange County
Driving While License Suspended – Case Dismissed
On March 9, 2015 our client was stopped after a check of his license plate revealed the registered owner of the vehicle was suspended for failing to pay a speeding ticket from 2015. Our client was charged with a criminal offense of Driving While License Suspended With Knowledge. Our client’s old speeding ticket was entering collections court at the time he contacted our office. Our attorneys were able to work with the Court to remove our client from collections to save him a significant amount of money and reinstate his driver’s license. Based on producing a valid driver’s license at his first court date, the State dismissed the charge.
2016 CT ****
Orange County
Driving Under the Influence – 1st Offense – Case Dismissed
Our client was found lawfully parked in a parking lot passed out behind the wheel with the car still running. The first officer who arrived stated in a report that she made contact with a vehicle in reference to a reckless driving call. The second officer to arrive on scene immediately began taking photographs of our client asleep at the wheel. The officer’s knocked on the window and our client was unresponsive. Finally, the officers were able to gain access into the car and realized our client was having a medical emergency. The officers located a cold but sealed can of beer on the passenger floorboard. The arresting officer testified that due to our client’s state and the beer found gave him reason to believe our client was DUI. The officer requested an ambulance to take our client to the hospital. He had the EMT draw our client’s blood while he was unconscious and unable to consent. Our client was placed under arrest for DUI while at the hospital. Our attorneys noticed the officers immediate desire to conduct a DUI investigation absent any evidence our client was impaired but rather having a medical issue. We filed a motion to exclude the results of any blood draw as it was obtained unlawfully and argued that the first officer on scene could not have been investigating our client for reckless driving when he was lawfully parked in a parking lot. Prior to the hearing on the legality of the blood evidence, the State dismissed all charges against our client.
2016 CT ****
Orange County
No Motor Vehicle Registration – Charge Dropped
On May 15, 2016 our client was stopped by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for making an illegal lane change. During the traffic stop the Deputy discovered our client was on his way home from purchasing the car at auction and did not have it properly registered yet. The Deputy wrote our client a criminal citation for No Motor Vehicle Registration. Upon hiring our firm, we worked on registering the vehicle immediately and providing proof to the State Attorney. Prior to our first court date, the State was willing to drop the criminal charge.Racing
Hillsborough county
2015ct02xxxxxxx
On Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 12:28, a Tampa Police officer was advised that a red Honda Civic and a black care racing east on west Waters Ave towards Florida Ave. The black car had already been stopped by another officer.
The officer headed west on Waters Ave and observed a red Civic to be in the turn lane to go north of Florida Ave. The officer caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The Defendant explained to the officer that he had been at the light on Rome Ave when he and a black car accelerated to a high speed. The Defendant claimed he was not racing and the black car was always behind him.
Result: the case was set for trial and before the trial began, the State dropped the Racing charge.
Over the last decade, Pinellas County has seen explosive population growth. It is now the 7th most populated Florida county with 978,872 residents according to the 2020 census.
Over the last decade, Broward County also known as the Fort Lauderdale area has seen explosive population growth. Broward is now the 2nd most populated Florida county with 1,966,120 residents according to the 2020 census. That’s over a 12% increase in total population. All those new people leads to more traffic congestion and ultimately more law […]
Over the last decade, Orange County also known as the Orlando area has seen explosive population growth. Orlando is now the 4th most populated Florida city with 290,520 residents according to the 2020 census.
Maybe you turned right at a red light, stopped over the line at the intersection, or passed through just as the light turned red. If so, you may come to receive a hefty fine in the mail if you have been found in violation of a red light camera. Understanding how these devices work and how to dispute them may help you prevent a steep fine, higher insurance premiums, and other consequences on your driving record.
Not all states and counties have red-light cameras in use. According to a report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in 2017, 63 Florida jurisdictions implement the use of these devices.
Red light cameras are a relatively new photo enforcement technology that is becoming increasingly prevalent in Florida intersections. These devices are used to automate the process of recording drivers committing a red light violation, serving as a major ally in prosecution. As a driver passes over a sensor in the intersection while the traffic signal is red, a camera is activated, taking pictures of the driver and their front license plate. After the violation is recorded, an enforcement program issues a citation, which is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The red light camera can also capture up to 12 seconds of video as further evidence of the crime committed.
Due to the timeliness of these photos, many drivers are caught “red-handed” in an illegal act, like passing through an intersection while the signal is red. Though these may seem like indisputable pieces of evidence, there are still ways for drivers cited by these cameras to fight the tickets.
While many states vary in who is held responsible when a red light camera captures a violation, in the state of Florida, the registered owner of the vehicle receives the bill. This means that if someone is borrowing your car and triggers a red light camera, you will likely be the one to receive the citation.
In some situations, like in the case of a recently-sold car under new ownership or a stolen vehicle, the citation issued can be dismissed with the submission of an affidavit. It is recommended that drivers seeking dismissal should consult a local attorney specializing in traffic tickets for proper guidance.
Red Light Cameras in the state of Florida capture a number of violations, many of which are accompanied by a citation in the mail issued to the owner of the car. Failing to make a complete stop when turning right at a red light, passing through an intersection while the light is red, or stopping in the middle of an intersection during a red light can all result in a Notice of Violation (essentially, a ticket in the mail). Legally, each of these violations will result in a citation for s, 316.075(1)(c)1., Fla.Stat., which mandates drivers to come to a complete stop before a red light. These violations are captured in both photo and video form by the red light camera.
It is important to note that not all photos that were taken result in a violation. For instance, breaking beyond the line at a red light may trigger a camera without a violation having occurred. Every image captured by a red light camera is eventually reviewed by a police officer, who will decide whether the driver was in violation of traffic laws.
Over the years, there have been many debates over the legality of police departments utilizing red light cameras provided by third-party vendors. Florida’s House approved a statewide ban on these devices in 2017, however, soon after the Florida Supreme Court ruled that red light cameras are legal and may be used in the interest of public safety.
Since the ruling, some cities in Florida have chosen to end their use of Red Light Cameras, while others continue to use them. For instance, in Palm Beach County, only Boynton Beach is currently using these cameras.
For the most accurate information regarding the locations of red light cameras, drivers should check their city’s website. Most cities post the location of cameras, the fines associated with citations issued from the cameras, and the process of receiving and paying or disputing a citation.
While some cities in Florida have refused to reactivate their cameras since the ruling in 2017, they are within their rights to reactivate them at any time. Your best course of action at any traffic signal is to obey state laws and wait until the light turns green.
Costs can vary depending on the county, but the typical cost for a red light camera ticket in Florida is $158. This fee can rise to $262 if you fail to pay the ticket after the first mailed notification.
If you receive a traffic ticket from a red light camera and do not choose to contest the citation, you must pay the fine listed on the ticket within 30 days of receiving it. If you do so, no points are added to your record. However, if you miss this deadline, not only will your fine increase, but you will also incur court costs and three points on your license.
Continuing to ignore the citation can result in the suspension of your license, even higher fines, and the fee of reinstating your driver’s license.
If you plan to contest the violation, your first step should be finding a local attorney that specializes in traffic tickets. An attorney can guide you through the legal red tape, ensure that all deadlines are met and all evidence is gathered and presented in the way that best represents your case.
A great way to increase your chances of reducing the fine or getting the charge dismissed entirely is to call the lawyers at The Ticket Clinic or hire us online. Since 1987, The Ticket Clinic has resolved over 3,000,000 traffic-related cases across the nation. Call 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846) now for your free consultation!
We’re proud to announce the opening of a new Ticket Clinic location in Doral at 1450 NW 87 Ave. Our steady growth is part of a plan to provide motorists in Florida easier access to legal services. Maybe there’s a few more on the way? Stay tuned. Click here for a list of our offices.
Orange County
Charge – Racing on a Highway
Result – Case Dismissed
2016 CT ****
Our client was arrested and charged with Racing on a Highway after an Officer with the Apopka Police Department used a Laser speed measuring device to clock him doing 101 mph in a 45 mph zone. The Officer’s report did not mention any other vehicles involved in the race or that any other person was suspected of or arrested for competing in this “race” against our client. Furthermore, there was no indication that our client’s driving pattern could be considered as reckless driving. After presenting our arguments in court to the Judge, the State agreed to dismiss the case against our client.
Orange County
Charge – Reckless Driving
Result – Case Dismissed
2016 CT ****
Our client was charged with Reckless Driving after a police officer allegedly clocked him at 140 mph in a 70 mph zone on I-4 around 3am. In court, the attorney argued the officer failed to show how our client’s alleged high speed driving in the early hours of the morning without more rose to the level of reckless driving. The State argued that the level of the speed alone was enough to prove that our client was in fact driving recklessly as a matter of driving twice the speed limit. We presented arguments to the court that there was no indication in any report or citation that our client’s driving put any other person at risk or in danger and was insufficient to sustain the charge. The Judge asked the State if there was any evidence any other motorists were at risk, and when the State responded that they did not know, the Judge replied, “Well then the Defense’s argument seems to be right, don’t ya think?” The State responded by dismissing the case against our client.
To deal with a Suspended License in Florida, you must first find out why it has been suspended. This could be for a number of reasons such as:
The Florida department of highway safety and motor vehicle (FLHSMV) will suspend your license for a certain amount of time based on the severity of your offence.
Having a suspended License is a serious matter. It is essential that you adhere to laws of the state in event of a Suspended License in Florida.
Reinstating your driver’s license:-
Traffic summons or Failure to pay fines: Furnish proof that you have complied with the necessary traffic summons, paid the fine and attended court ordered traffic school.
Reinstatement after a DUI: If you are convicted for DUI, additional steps are required to reinstate your DL, they are as follows:
Also, you are required to pay $60 as the D6 reinstatement fee. After which,The Florida DMV will give you a D6 clearance letter.
You can also Apply for a Florida Hardship Driver’s License based on the norms governing your violation by:
If you want to fight your ticket, call us at 1800-248-2846.
Most states have special provisions for a disabled driver. A person with disabilities refers to anyone with physical limitations, regardless of the cause. To apply for disability placards or license plates, you’ll be required to have a doctor or another approved medical professional to certify your disability in the application. In some cases, you may have to pay a fee for your permit. You can either apply for a temporary or a permanent permit.
Temporary permits are valid up to 6 months after which you will need a doctor’s certification for a second term. If you receive a traffic ticket in Florida during this period, it is best if you consult a traffic ticket attorney, who will guide you through the disabled driver rights.
If your medical condition is long term, you have the option of applying for a wheelchair logo (disabled) license plate. Your long term permit is valid for 4 years.
If you have a medical condition that deems you as a Florida disabled driver, you are eligible to apply for a disability placard. The idea behind the disability placard is to allow you special parking privileges within a parking lot and other special privileges that are granted to those who are disabled within the state of Florida.
The placard must be displayed on the rear view mirror of your vehicle and the permit number must be visible to anyone standing outside your vehicle. If you “lend” your permit to anyone, it may lead to a Florida Suspended license or suspension of your permit. Anyone who uses your disabled parking permit unlawfully may have to face a jail term of six months and pay a fine of $2,000.
Once the 4 year validity of regular disabled parking permits is over, submit a registered copy of the old parking permit, along with the required fees to the tax collector’s office or to the license plate agency in the county where you live, to seek renewal. A temporary permit cannot be renewed.
Were you cited for a traffic violation while driving with a disabled driver’s license? Just call us at 1(800) 248-2846 today. Don’t pay your ticket – fight it! Our firm has years of experience handling cases similar to yours – just check our track record. Rest easy while we go to court for you!
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