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Traffic-Civil

About Citations

The Clerk of the Circuit Court collects all traffic fines and distributes the proceeds according to Florida Statute. The total amount of a traffic fine is made up of amounts required to be paid by Florida Law as well as County and City ordinances.

Upon receipt of a traffic ticket for any violation, you have 30 days from the date of issuance of the ticket to exercise any one of the following three options:

  1. Pay the Ticket
  2. Go to Driver's Improvement School
  3. Contest the ticket and go to court

If you choose to pay the ticket, points are assessed against your driver's license for all moving violations. The amount due for civil penalties is given to individuals by the police officer at the time of the citation. A blue mailing envelope is also given to individuals for their use in mailing the payment. When paying by mail, enclose the copy of the citation to ensure prompt processing of any payment.

If you choose to go to the school, you must first sign an affidavit at the Clerk's office and pay the applicable court costs to the county in which the ticket was received. You must then sign up for school and pay the required fees. In general, the total cost to attend school is more than the fine. No points are assessed against your driver's license if you attend school. Certain restrictions do apply and for further information you should contact the Traffic division.

If you choose to contest the ticket, you must make your request for a hearing in person at the Clerk's office, or in writing by mail to the Clerk. You will be notified of your court date.

You may write the Clerk at:
Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Attn: Traffic Department
P.O. Box 7800
Tavares, FL 32778-7800

Traffic fines may be mailed using the pre-addressed blue envelope provided to you at the time of citation, or paid at the Traffic Department located on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse.

View more information on payment options that are currently available for traffic tickets.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Failure to comply by payment or request for a hearing within 30 days after the date of receiving the citation will result in automatic suspension of your driver's license.

Those persons charged with a criminal offense must appear in court at the time and date indicated on their citation. Failure to appear could result in a capias being issued for their arrest.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there other options available to me other than paying my ticket?
  • Can I elect to attend defensive driving school after I have paid my citation?
  • Can I change my mind after I elect to attend a driver improvement class?
  • Can I get an extension on my ticket?
  • I missed my court date, can I reschedule?
  • I've received a letter from Tallahassee; what do I do?
  • How can one elect to attend driver improvement school?
  • How do I pay my traffic ticket?
  • How do I request a court hearing?
  • What happens if the ticket is not paid timely?
  • What is the benefit of going to driver school?
  • What is a civil traffic infraction?
  • When is your next driving school class?
  • Who may make an election to attend driver improvement school?

Traffic Fees

Most fees may be paid by check, money order, or credit card. A 3.5% nonrefundable fee is charged by the financial service provider for each credit card transaction. If using a credit card, a photo I.D. which matches the name of the credit card holder must be presented at the time of the transaction. Payment should be made payable to Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller. In some cases, a credit card payment is not accepted.

Item Fee Amount
Download the most recent Traffic Fine Fee Schedule  
Traffic tickets:
  1. Late Charge (civil)
  2. Late Charge (criminal)

$16.00
$25.00
Driver's License records (hard copy)
  1. 3-year record
  2. Full record

$14.25
$16.25
 
Traffic Civil Resources
Traffic Civil Division Office
Lake County Courthouse (CH)
550 W. Main St., 1st Floor
Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: (352) 742-4133
Fax: (352) 742-3843

Paying Citations in Person
Lake County Courthouse, 1st Floor