According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), points remain on your driving record for at least five years after a conviction. However, accumulation that could lead to a license suspension is only counted for the last three years.
Just because the points fall off your license, you could still see other impacts, such as higher insurance premiums, for years to come. Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about getting points on your driving record in Florida.
How Many Points Do I Get on My License After a Car Accident in Florida?
The number of points that you get on your license after a car accident depends on the specific violation you committed. In some cases, you may not receive any points at all on your license. For instance, if your accident was simply the result of someone’s negligence and no infractions were committed, then you won’t get any points on your license.
However, you could get up to six points on your license after an accident. For instance, you could see:
- Reckless driving – 4 points
- Leaving the scene – 6 points
- Speeding – 3 points
- Failure to stop for a school bus – 4 points
- Failure to stop at a red light – 3 points
The police officer who responds to the crash will determine if any violations were committed. If they issue you a citation, then you will likely get some points on your license. Keep in mind that points can also be added to your Florida license for infractions in other states.
The other state will send notice of the infraction to Florida, and points will be placed on your license if the violation would accumulate points in Florida.
License Suspension for Too Many Points
If you accumulate a certain number of points on your license within a certain timeframe, you will face a license suspension. Suspension limits in Florida are:
- 12 points within 12 months: 30-day suspension
- 18 points within 18 months: Three-month suspension
- 24 points within 36 months: One-year suspension
Drivers who have their license suspended may apply for a hardship license. If approved, you may use your hardship license to drive only to work or school.
Florida Driving Record Point Expiration
Points remain on your license for at least five years, although they no longer count toward a license suspension after three years. Even though the points may no longer be on your driving record, some convictions can remain on your criminal record much longer or even forever (such as a DUI or leaving the scene of an accident). This could make it difficult to obtain housing or employment in some situations, depending on the severity of the offense.
Additionally, you may face higher insurance premiums for 3 to 5 years after getting the points on your license. Most car insurance companies review your driving record for the previous 3 to 5 years, so any traffic infractions on your record during that time will be used to calculate your insurance premiums.
How Can I Check the Status of My License in Florida?
If you want to check the status of your license, you may perform an online driver’s license check. This can allow you to ensure that your license is not suspended due to too many points before you hit the road. Additionally, you can request a complete copy of your driving record should you need one. To do so, you may visit any FLHSMV location to get a copy of your full driving record.
Driving with a suspended license could get you into some serious legal trouble, and it could prolong the amount of time it takes to get your license reinstated. Additionally, it could create additional civil liability if you cause a car accident while your license is suspended. If you have gotten points on your license after an accident, remember that those points are typically counted for three years, although the infraction may stay on your driving record for longer than that.
Contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney
Points on your driving record can affect your license status, insurance rates, and driving privileges long after a car accident in Florida.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra car accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and the surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167