Know Your Options Before Paying Your Traffic Citation

When you receive a non-criminal traffic citation you have three options to consider, however, after selecting one of the options, you cannot change your mind.

OPTION 1 — PAY
By paying the Traffic Civil Penalty, you are admitting guilt and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will assess points on your driving record for moving violations.

OPTION 2 — SCHOOL
If you elect the Basic Driver Improvement Course option, adjudication is withheld, the cost of the citation will be impacted, and the DHSMV will not assess points against your driving record. A course certificate of completion form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office.

OPTION 3 — REQUEST A COURT HEARING
You must complete and submit a Traffic Citation Option form (see Forms page) to the Traffic Department to request a court hearing. When you request a court hearing you give up your right to pay the civil penalty amount and you give up your right to elect the driving school option.

If you are found guilty, however, you may, in some cases, be fined up to $1,000, plus court costs. You may obtain the form to request a court hearing at the Traffic Department or go to CollierClerk.com and click on “Court Divisions”, then “Traffic”, then “Forms”.

Please note, if you do not select an option within 30 days, the only option available to you is to pay the citation amount.

OPTION 1 – PAY

There are additional requirements if the citation was issued for:

• Driving with a driver’s license that has been expired for 4 months or less
• Registration that has been expired for 6 months or less
• Registration that has been expired for more than 6 months but is a first offense
• Failing to show proof of driver license, registration, or insurance

Then you MUST provide proof that you have a valid driver license, registration, or insurance when you pay the civil penalty.

Proof of insurance includes your insurance card, policy, or binder. A printout from your Insurance company is not adequate proof.

OPTION 2 – SCHOOL

To elect this option fill out the Traffic Citation Option Form and pay the school election fee. You can elect the school option when paying on our website from the home page COURT PAYMENTS.

Note: You MUST attend an approved Florida 4 hour basic driver improvement school.

If you need to take the school out-of-county, you must pay the traffic penalty in the county where you received the citation. If you require an affidavit to elect a traffic course for a citation that you received in another county, you can get one at the Clerk’s Office. You may attend traffic school anywhere in Florida or take an online traffic course, but you must submit an affidavit, payment, and certificate to the county where the citation was issued.

OPTION 3 – REQUEST A HEARING

When you request a court hearing, you give up your right to pay the civil penalty amount and to elect the driving school option.

The Judge may find you “not guilty” and dismiss your case, however, the Judge may also fine you up to $1,000.00, plus court costs, in some cases, and also order you to attend the Basic Driver Improvement Course.

If you are unable to attend the date scheduled, you may request one continuance. The Clerk’s office must receive the Request for a Continuance at least 7 days before the court date. The Clerk’s Office will notify each party of the new court date. If a request for a continuance is received less than 7 days before the court date, it will be granted ONLY in the case of a medical emergency, death in the family, or a last minute court date with a higher court.

IMPORTANT: After selecting one of the options, you cannot change your election.