A 30 over speeding ticket in Florida is treated more seriously than a basic speeding ticket. Under s. 318.19, you generally must appear before a court official, and you cannot elect Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) to keep points off your record.
This guide explains what changes at 30 mph over, how points and fines work, and what to do in the days after the stop. Rules and fees change, so confirm details with the county clerk that handles your citation.
Key Takeaways
- A 30 over speeding ticket Florida drivers receive is on the list of infractions that require a mandatory hearing under s. 318.19.
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says drivers cited for going 30 mph over cannot elect a BDI course.
- The statutory fine schedule lists $250 for 30 mph and above, but a judge or hearing official decides the outcome at a hearing.
- Missing the hearing can lead to an indefinite license suspension, according to FLHSMV.
- Speeding more than 15 mph over carries 4 points if convicted, and 12 points in 12 months triggers a 30-day suspension.
- A traffic attorney can explain your options, especially if you hold a commercial driver license (CDL) or have prior points.
Table of Contents
- What makes a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida different?
- Do you have to go to court for a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida?
- What happens if you miss the hearing?
- How much is the fine for 30 mph over the limit?
- How many points does a 30 over speeding ticket carry?
- Can you take a Basic Driver Improvement course for a 30 over ticket?
- What are your options after a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida?
- When should you talk to a traffic attorney?
- What should you do in the days after the ticket?
- Our Perspective
- FAQ
- Sources
What makes a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida different?
A ticket for driving 30 mph or more over the limit falls under a mandatory hearing rule. Most speeding tickets let you pay or elect a course by mail or online. With this one, you must appear at the time and place set for your hearing.
The rule sits in s. 318.19, Florida Statutes. It lists infractions where the usual options in s. 318.14(2), (4) and (9) are not available. One of them is exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more under s. 316.183(2), s. 316.187 or s. 316.189.
That means the usual pay-or-school choice does not apply. Instead, a designated official hears your case. For a broader look at standard tickets, see our guide to a speeding ticket in Florida.
Do you have to go to court for a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida?
Yes, in most cases. The statute says a person cited for this infraction must appear before the designated official at the scheduled hearing. You cannot settle it by mail the way you can with many lower-speed tickets.
The citation lists your hearing date and location. If anything is unclear, contact the traffic division of the clerk of court in the county where the officer wrote the ticket. The county clerk handles the citation, and procedures vary by county.
Our overview of Florida traffic court rules covers what to expect on hearing day in more detail.
What happens if you miss the hearing?
Missing the hearing can cost you your license. FLHSMV states that a driver license is suspended indefinitely if the driver fails to comply with or appear at a traffic summons. The suspension stays until you satisfy the court requirements.
To clear it, you contact the traffic court in the county where the summons was issued. According to FLHSMV, the county then updates the department electronically once you meet the requirements. You may also owe a reinstatement fee at a driver license service center.
If you cannot attend on the date given, call the clerk before the hearing, not after. Ask what the court allows in your county.
How much is the fine for 30 mph over the limit?
The statutory fine schedule lists $250 for speeds 30 mph and above, as of the 2026 Florida Statutes. However, a mandatory hearing means the official decides the penalty, and extra costs and county fees can apply.
The schedule in s. 318.18(3)(b) sets fines by how far over the limit you were. After a hearing, s. 318.14(5) says the official may impose a civil penalty up to $500, or require a driver improvement school, or both. School zones and construction zones have higher limits and doubled fines.
| Speed over the limit | Fine in s. 318.18(3)(b) |
|---|---|
| 1-5 mph | Warning |
| 6-9 mph | $25 |
| 10-14 mph | $100 |
| 15-19 mph | $150 |
| 20-29 mph | $175 |
| 30 mph and above | $250 |
Fine amounts are from the Florida Statutes as of 2026. Court costs and fees are added on top and vary by county.
Does a repeat offense raise the fine?
It can. Section 318.18 says a second or subsequent conviction for speeding 30 mph and above within a 12-month period carries a fine double the scheduled amount. The statute defines conviction as a finding of guilt by jury verdict, nonjury trial or a guilty plea.
Because this is a hearing, a traffic attorney can explain how prior convictions affect you. For a general look at costs, read how much a speeding ticket costs in Florida.
How many points does a 30 over speeding ticket carry?
A conviction for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit carries 4 points under s. 322.27. If the speeding causes a crash, the statute assigns 6 points. Points apply only if the official finds you committed the infraction.
FLHSMV also lists a separate row for speed in excess of 50 mph on its points page. Check the current table when your case is decided. Points stay on your driver record for at least five years from the conviction date, according to FLHSMV.
| Speeding situation | Points if convicted |
|---|---|
| 15 mph or less over the limit | 3 |
| 16 mph or more over the limit | 4 |
| Unlawful speed resulting in a crash | 6 |
Points are as listed in the FLHSMV driver handbook and s. 322.27. For the full list, see Florida traffic citation points.
When do points lead to a suspension?
Points add up across all your violations. FLHSMV lists 12 points within 12 months as a 30-day suspension, 18 points within 18 months as a three-month suspension, and 24 points within 36 months as a one-year suspension.
Drivers under 18 face a stricter rule. FLHSMV says a minor with six or more points in 12 months is restricted to business purposes only for one year. Our guide to the traffic ticket points system shows how points combine.
Can you take a Basic Driver Improvement course for a 30 over ticket?
No. FLHSMV states that drivers cited for going 30 mph above the posted limit may not elect a BDI course. Section 318.14(9) also excludes this infraction from the school election, so you cannot use it to keep points off.
The election exists for many other citations. According to FLHSMV, you must elect within 30 days of the citation date and tell the clerk before attending. You also cannot elect if you made an election in the preceding 12 months, have made eight in a lifetime, or hold a CDL.
If your ticket is below the 30 mph line, the picture changes. Read about the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course to see who qualifies.
Could a judge still order a driver improvement school?
Yes. After a hearing, s. 318.14(5) allows the official to impose a penalty, require attendance at a driver improvement school, or both. That is a court order, not a voluntary election, and it works differently.
If a court orders a longer course, our page on the 8-hour court-ordered traffic school explains how those programs differ. Follow the order and the deadline exactly. FLHSMV notes that failing to complete a court-ordered school can lead to an indefinite suspension.
What are your options after a 30 over speeding ticket in Florida?
You generally have two paths: appear and resolve the case at the hearing, or appear and contest it. Either way, you attend. The hearing is where the official decides whether the infraction occurred and what penalty applies.
We cannot tell you how to plead, and nothing here is legal advice. We can describe what the rules allow, and a traffic attorney can advise on your facts.
| Option | How it works for 30 mph over |
|---|---|
| Pay by mail or online | Generally not available. The hearing is mandatory under s. 318.19. |
| Elect BDI with the clerk | Not available for this infraction. |
| Appear at the hearing | The official decides if the infraction occurred and sets the penalty. |
| Consult a traffic attorney | Useful for contested cases, prior points, CDL holders or a high-stakes record. |
If you want to learn how contesting works in general, see how to fight a speeding ticket in Florida.
When should you talk to a traffic attorney?
Consider a traffic attorney if you hold a CDL, already have points, were involved in a crash, or plan to contest the citation. The stakes are higher with a mandatory hearing, and a lawyer can explain how the rules apply to you.
Other warning signs include a prior conviction in the last 12 months, which can double the fine, or a suspension risk from stacked points. You can also contact the clerk for scheduling questions. The clerk cannot give legal advice.
If you drive for work, a suspension has real consequences. Ask about your options early, before the hearing date.
What should you do in the days after the ticket?
Read the citation, note the hearing date and location, and contact the county clerk if anything is unclear. Then decide whether to hire a traffic attorney. Do not wait until the last week to prepare.
- Find the hearing date and courthouse on your citation.
- Confirm the details with the clerk of court in the county where you were cited.
- Gather your license, registration and proof of insurance.
- Check your points online with the FLHSMV Online Driver License Check.
- Talk to a traffic attorney if your situation is complicated.
- Attend the hearing and follow every court instruction.
Out-of-state and foreign license holders should know that a Florida ticket is handled under Florida rules. Any Florida course applies only to Florida tickets. FLHSMV also notes that an unpaid citation reported by another state can lead to suspension of a Florida license.
For a wider view of the process, see our guide to handling a Florida traffic ticket.
Our Perspective
We see many drivers who assume every speeding ticket works the same way. A ticket at 30 mph over does not. The mandatory hearing means you cannot treat it like a routine pay-or-school decision, and the sooner you accept that, the more time you have to prepare.
Our practical advice is simple. Confirm the hearing date with the clerk, check your record, and talk to a traffic attorney if you hold a CDL, have prior points or want to contest the case. We teach driver education, and we do not give legal advice.
Once the case is resolved, a defensive driving habit does more than any course certificate. Leave more space, watch your speed on open interstates, and give yourself enough time that rushing never feels necessary.
— The BDI School team
If your ticket is below the 30 mph threshold and you have confirmed with your county clerk that you elected Basic Driver Improvement, or a court ordered it, you can complete the 4-hour Florida BDI course online at your own pace, in English, Spanish or Portuguese, at https://bdischool.com/register. BDI School is a driving school that offers fully online, self-paced courses with electronic certificates.
FAQ
Is 30 over the speed limit a criminal offense in Florida?
Exceeding the limit by 30 mph or more is listed as an infraction requiring a mandatory hearing under s. 318.19, not as a criminal offense. Separate laws, such as dangerous excessive speeding at 50 mph or more over the posted limit, can be criminal. Ask a traffic attorney how your specific citation is classified.
Can I pay a 30 over speeding ticket online instead of going to court?
Generally no. Section 318.19 removes the pay-or-elect options in s. 318.14(2), (4) and (9) for this infraction, so you must appear at the hearing. Check your citation and call the county clerk to confirm your hearing date.
Does the fine double for a second 30 over ticket?
Section 318.18 says a second or subsequent conviction for speeding 30 mph and above within a 12-month period carries a fine double the scheduled amount. Conviction means a finding of guilt or a guilty plea. Check the current statute and ask the clerk about total costs.
What if I am from out of state and got a 30 over ticket in Florida?
You still need to resolve the Florida citation under Florida rules. FLHSMV says an unpaid citation reported by another state can lead to a Florida license suspension, and a Florida course applies only to Florida tickets. Contact the Florida county clerk where you were cited for your hearing details.
Sources
- Chapter 318 Section 19 – 2026 Florida Statutes – The Florida Senate
- Chapter 318 Section 18 – 2026 Florida Statutes – The Florida Senate
- Florida Statutes s. 322.27 – Online Sunshine
- Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) – FLHSMV
- Points & Point Suspensions – FLHSMV
- Traffic Citations or Court Suspensions – FLHSMV
- Florida Driver Handbook – FLHSMV
