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The Clerk of the Court collects all traffic fines and distributes the proceeds according to law. 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.
A traffic payment is due in the Clerk’s office by the compliance date (within 30 days of receipt of the citation). Payments received, regardless of postmark, or made after the compliance date, will incur an additional $23.00 late fee and a suspension of license.
Upon receipt of a traffic ticket for any violation where points may be assessed, you have 30 days from the date of issuance of the ticket to exercise any of one of three options:
- Automated Phone System:
(855) 984-1187 - Live Person:
(844) 577-5649 - Clerk’s Office:
(386) 758-2193
Important Information to Know When Using This Service
- If the traffic citation is over thirty (30) days old, you will not be able to use this automated payment system or elect to attend a driver improvement course.
- If the traffic citation relates to your vehicle registration, insurance, or driver’s license, you will not be able to use this automated payment system.
- A convenience fee will be added to your fine amount.
- To avoid points being assessed to your driving record, you may be eligible to attend a defensive driving course. Visit myfloridacounty.com for additional information on the Driver Improvement Course.
- To determine if you are eligible for school, access the Driver License Check.
- By paying your traffic citation through this service, you are waiving your right to contest the citation in court. In addition, points may be assessed against your driving record.
Driver Improvement Course
If you elect to attend a driver improvement course and pay the fine, you must attend a driver improvement course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Upon completion of the course, you must file your certificate of completion with the Clerk’s Office, regardless of any other instructions you may receive, before your compliance date (not more than 90 days after the date of your citation).
Driver improvement courses can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone book and on the internet.
Failure to file your certificate of completion and make the required payment prior to the compliance date will nullify your school election, and you will incur additional late fees and charges.
Citation Processing Time
If the ticket number you enter has not yet been submitted into our system, you may try again at a later time. It may take up to seven (7) working days for the citation to be submitted to the Clerk’s Office by the agency issuing the citation.
Non-USA Billing Address
If the billing address for your credit card is outside the USA, you may not use this service and should contact the Clerk’s Office at (386) 758-2193 during the 30-day compliance period following receipt of a citation to make payment.
Driver Improvement School Election
If you choose to attend driver improvement school, you must complete and file the Driver Improvement Course Affidavit Form with the Clerk’s Office, along with your payment, within 30 days of the date you received the ticket (see #2 above).
Upon receipt of your affidavit and payment, you will be granted an additional 60 days to attend a driver improvement school in the State of Florida.
Failure to attend the school or pay the fine may result in suspension of your driver’s license or additional late fees being assessed.
No points will be assessed against your driver’s license if you attend a driver improvement school upon approval by your state.
Driver’s License Check
To determine if you are eligible for school, access the Driver License Check.
Out-of-State Drivers
If you are licensed in a state other than Florida, check with your local DMV to ensure they approve a withhold of points for an out-of-state Driver School Election.
Contesting a Traffic Citation
If you choose to contest the ticket, you must submit your request for a hearing in writing to the Clerk within 30 days of the date of the citation.
You will be notified of your court date.
You must mail or e-file the form for contesting the citation in court.
Contact Information
James M. Swisher, Jr.Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Columbia County, Florida
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, Florida 32055
- Traffic Line 1: (386) 719-7588
- Traffic Line 2: (386) 758-2193
- Supervisor: (386) 758-1353
- Fax: (386) 719-7410
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected] or call (386) 758-2193.