Miami Dade County traffic ticket records are public court files that show every traffic citation issued in Miami Dade County, Florida. These records are kept by the Miami Dade Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.
The Clerk’s office runs a 24-hour phone system and an online portal so anyone can search ticket records at any time. The records include the citation number, the violation type, the court date, the fine amount, and the final outcome. More than 2.7 million people live in Miami Dade County, and the Clerk processes a large number of traffic citations each year from cities like Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, and Homestead.
What Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Records Include
Each traffic ticket record in Miami Dade County holds key facts about one citation. The records show who got the ticket, what law was broken, and how the case was resolved. These files help drivers check their status, pay fines, or prepare for court.
Who Maintains Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Records
The Miami Dade Clerk of Courts and Comptroller maintains all traffic ticket records for the county. This office works under the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The main office sits inside the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami. The Clerk’s office also runs several district court locations across the county where people can pay tickets or ask questions in person. The Clerk works with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to report points and license suspensions.
Types of Traffic Tickets Recorded in Miami Dade County
Miami Dade County splits traffic citations into two main groups. Moving violations add points to a driver’s license. Examples include speeding, running a red light, and reckless driving. Non-moving violations do not add points. These cover parking tickets, expired registration, and broken equipment. All these tickets show up in the Clerk’s public records. Red light camera tickets, toll violations, and commercial vehicle citations also appear in the system.
How Long Miami Dade County Keeps Traffic Records
The Clerk keeps traffic ticket records on file for many years. Paid tickets stay in the system for at least five years. Unpaid tickets remain active until they are paid or the case closes. Points from moving violations stay on a Florida driving record for three years from the date of the citation. Serious violations like DUI or driving with a suspended license can stay on a record for much longer, often ten years or more.
How to Search Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Records Online
The fastest way to find a traffic ticket record in Miami Dade County is to use the online portal. The Clerk’s website runs day and night. Drivers can search from home using a phone or computer.
Using the Miami Dade Clerk of Courts Online Portal
The Miami Dade Clerk of Courts has a public search tool on its website. Drivers can visit the civil traffic infractions page to look up tickets. The portal lets users search by citation number, name, or case number. The system shows the current balance, any late fees, and the next steps available for the case. Records may take 5 to 10 days after a traffic stop to appear in the system.
The official online system for traffic ticket records is:
- Website: miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/civil-traffic-infractions.page
- Direct Search Portal: www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/civil_infractions
- Statewide Portal: payflclerk.com (select Miami Dade County)
What You Need Before You Search
Before starting a search, drivers should gather some basic facts. The citation number is the fastest way to find a record. This number appears on the paper ticket and starts with a county code. If the citation number is missing, the driver’s full name and date of birth can also work. The case number works for tickets that already have a court date set.
Searching Miami Dade Traffic Records by Citation Number
Searching by citation number gives the most accurate results. Each Miami Dade traffic ticket has a unique number printed on the citation. Type this number into the Clerk’s online search box. The portal then shows the full record, including the violation, the officer’s name, the court date, and the amount due. This method works at any time of day or night.
Searching Miami Dade Traffic Records by Name
If the citation number is lost, a name search still works. Enter the full legal name as it appears on the driver’s license. Add the date of birth to narrow the results. The system pulls up all open and closed traffic cases linked to that person in Miami Dade County.
How to Pay Miami Dade County Traffic Tickets
The Miami Dade Clerk offers four ways to pay a traffic ticket. Drivers can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Each method accepts different payment types.
Online Payment for Miami Dade Traffic Tickets
The online system accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Payments post to the record right away. A small convenience fee may apply for credit and debit card use. The portal also works through payflclerk.com for users who prefer the statewide system.
Phone Payment for Miami Dade Traffic Tickets
The 24-hour Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone line accepts payments any time of day. Call 305-275-1111 to reach the system. Follow the voice prompts to enter the citation number and payment details. Credit and debit cards are accepted by phone as well.
Mail Payment for Miami Dade Traffic Tickets
Mail payments go to PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321. Make checks or money orders payable to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. Write the citation number on the payment. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for mail payments to post.
In-Person Payment at Miami Dade Court Locations
The Clerk’s office accepts in-person payments at district court locations across the county. The main office sits in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building. Payments can be cash, check, money order, or card. In-person visits work best for drivers who also need to ask questions or turn in documents.
How to Contest a Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket
Drivers who want to fight a ticket have 30 days from the citation date to act. After 30 days, late fees and extra steps apply. Florida law gives drivers three main options: pay the fine, elect traffic school, or contest the ticket in court.
Steps to Request a Court Hearing in Miami Dade County
To contest a ticket, the driver must enter a plea of not guilty. This plea can be filed in person at the Clerk’s office, by mail, by phone, or online. The Clerk then sets a court date. The driver shows up on that date to face a traffic judge. If the ticket is between 31 and 180 days old, a $16 late fee is added before a court date can be set.
Filing a Plea of Not Guilty In Absentia
Miami Dade County allows drivers to fight a ticket without going to court in person. This is called a Plea of Not Guilty In Absentia. The driver must post a bond by mail using a cashier’s check or money order for the civil penalty plus the clerk’s fee. A notarized affidavit of defense must also be sent. Mail these items to PO Box 19321, Miami, Florida 33101-9321.
Using the Florida E-Portal for Miami Dade Traffic Cases
Drivers can file court papers online through the Florida Courts E-Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. File as a self-represented litigant. The portal accepts motions, affidavits, and other court papers for traffic cases. Electronic filings work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Court Outcomes and Penalties for Miami Dade Traffic Tickets
If a driver loses at trial, the court can add new fines. The judge may also assign extra costs. The maximum fine for most moving violations in Miami Dade County is $500. School zone and construction zone speeding can carry fines up to $1,000.
Court Costs and County Surcharges
Court costs get added to every traffic fine in Miami Dade County. These costs cover court operations, crime compensation, and other state fees. The total court cost usually ranges from $50 to $75 on top of the base fine. School zone violations and construction zone fines double the base amount when workers are present.
License Suspension After a Miami Dade Traffic Ticket
Under Florida Statute 318.15, the Clerk reports unpaid tickets to FLHSMV. The state then sends a notice to the driver. If the driver does not respond, the license faces suspension. A suspension can block the driver from renewing a license or registering a vehicle. Reinstatement fees apply once the ticket is paid.
Miami Dade County Traffic School and Compliance Dismissals
Florida gives drivers ways to keep points off their license. Traffic school and compliance dismissals are two paths. Each has strict rules about who can use them.
Eligibility for Traffic School in Miami Dade County
Drivers who get a moving violation can elect traffic school. This option gives an 18% discount on the fine. No points go on the driving record if the course is finished on time. The course must be a state-approved school. Drivers can only use this option once every 12 months and no more than five times in a lifetime. Commercial license holders cannot use traffic school. Tickets for red light cameras, toll violations, tag violations, registration issues, and PIP insurance cannot use this option either.
How Compliance Dismissals Work in Miami Dade County
Some tickets can be dismissed if the driver shows proof of valid documents. This covers tickets for expired driver’s licenses (less than 4 months expired), registration issues, PIP insurance lapses, and defective equipment. The driver must show that the documents were valid on the date of the stop. A small dismissal fee still applies. Bring or mail the proof to the Clerk’s office for review.
Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Fine Schedule
Fine amounts in Miami Dade County follow the statewide schedule under Florida Statute 318.18. The exact fine depends on the violation type and how fast the driver was going over the limit. The tables below show the standard amounts.
Standard Fine Amounts for Miami Dade Traffic Violations
| Violation Type | Base Fine |
|---|---|
| Standard Moving Violation | $60 |
| Non-Moving Violation | $30 |
| School Zone Speeding (workers present) | Doubles base fine |
| Construction Zone Speeding (workers present) | Doubles base fine |
| Late Fee (after 30 days) | $16 |
| Compliance Dismissal Fee | Varies by case |
Speeding Fine Schedule for Miami Dade County
| MPH Over the Limit | Base Fine |
|---|---|
| 6 to 9 mph over | $25 |
| 10 to 14 mph over | $100 |
| 15 to 19 mph over | $150 |
| 20 to 29 mph over | $175 |
| 30 mph or more over | $250 |
How Miami Dade Traffic Tickets Affect a Driving Record
Points stay on a Florida driving record for three years. The number of points depends on the violation. Speeding adds 3 to 4 points. Running a red light adds 4 points. Reckless driving adds 4 points. If a driver gets 12 points in 12 months, the license faces suspension. Insurance rates often go up after a ticket posts to the record.
Checking a Florida Driving Record After a Miami Dade Ticket
Drivers can check their driving record through the FLHSMV website. The site offers a 3-year and a 7-year record view. Each record shows all traffic citations, points, and license status. The MyDMV Portal at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov also lets drivers check license status and any holds from unpaid tickets.
Official Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Office Contact
The Miami Dade Clerk of Courts and Comptroller handles all traffic ticket records in the county. The office sits in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building. Drivers can visit, call the 24-hour line, or use the online portal at any time.
Miami Dade Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
Civil Traffic Phone: 305-275-1111 (24-hour IVR)
Mailing Address: PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321
Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (in person) ��� phone line runs 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Dade County Traffic Ticket Records
Below are answers to the most common questions drivers ask about Miami Dade County traffic ticket records. These cover search options, payment rules, court procedures, and license impacts. The answers reflect the latest rules from the Miami Dade Clerk of Courts and Florida state law as of 2026.
How Can I Find My Miami Dade Traffic Ticket Online for Free?
The Miami Dade Clerk of Courts offers a free public search tool on its website. Visit miamidadeclerk.gov and go to the civil traffic infractions page. Enter your citation number or full name and date of birth. The portal shows the case status, fines, and court dates at no cost. The statewide payflclerk.com portal also lets you check records for free by selecting Miami Dade County. No subscription or account is required to view basic ticket data. Fees only apply if you make a payment by card.
What Happens If I Ignore a Miami Dade Traffic Ticket?
Ignoring a Miami Dade traffic ticket leads to serious problems. After 30 days, a $16 late fee gets added. After several months, the Clerk reports the unpaid ticket to FLHSMV. The state then mails a notice to the driver. If the driver still does not act, the license faces suspension. A suspended license can block license renewal and vehicle registration. Extra reinstatement fees apply once the ticket is finally paid. Ignoring the ticket can also lead to a separate charge for driving with a suspended license if the driver gets stopped again.
Can I Pay a Miami Dade Traffic Ticket With a Credit Card?
Yes, the Miami Dade Clerk accepts credit and debit cards. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express all work for online, phone, and in-person payments. The 24-hour IVR phone line at 305-275-1111 takes card payments any time. The online portal at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/civil_infractions also accepts cards. A small convenience fee may apply for card transactions. Cash is only accepted in person at Clerk locations.
Do Miami Dade Red Light Camera Tickets Show Up in the Court Records?
Yes, red light camera tickets issued in Miami Dade County appear in the Clerk’s public records. These tickets go to the registered owner of the vehicle. They carry a fine but no points. Drivers can pay or contest these tickets through the same Clerk portal. The same 30-day deadline applies. Commercial vehicles and rental cars follow special rules for camera tickets.
Can I Get a Copy of My Miami Dade Traffic Ticket Record?
Yes, certified copies of Miami Dade traffic ticket records are available from the Clerk’s office. The fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law. You can request a copy in person at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building or by mail. Include the citation number, your full name, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Regular printed copies cost less than certified copies. The online portal shows record details but does not provide official certified copies.
How Do I Remove Points From a Miami Dade Traffic Ticket?
Traffic school is the main way to keep points off a Miami Dade traffic ticket. The driver must elect traffic school within 30 days of the citation. The Clerk approves the election if the driver qualifies. The driver then has 90 days to finish a state-approved course. Finishing the course on time means no points post to the record. Drivers can only elect traffic school once every 12 months and no more than five times in a lifetime. Commercial license holders cannot use this option.
Will a Miami Dade Traffic Ticket Affect My Insurance Rates?
Yes, most Miami Dade traffic tickets lead to higher insurance rates. Insurers check driving records when policies renew. Speeding tickets, running red lights, and other moving violations often cause rate increases. The increase can last for three to five years. Non-moving violations like expired registration usually do not affect insurance. Traffic school can prevent a rate increase because the points never post to the record.