Where to Check Your Florida Driver's License Points

You can check your Florida driver's license points through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website, by phone, or in person at a local DMV office. The fastest method is the online portal at DHSMV.org, where you can look up your driving record without creating an account. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the DHSMV Customer Service line at 1-850-617-3800 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). A representative can tell you your current point total over the phone. You can also visit any Florida DMV office in person and request a copy of your driving record at the counter.

Your driving record shows every traffic violation, suspension, and point assessment on your license. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the fine or completed traffic school.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida adds points to your license for moving violations, and your license is suspended automatically when you reach 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months.
  • You can check your current points through the DHSMV website, by phone at 1-850-617-3800, or at any DMV office without paying a fee.
  • Points remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date, and you cannot remove them early except by completing a defensive driving course, which reduces points by up to three.
  • If you reach the suspension threshold, you must wait out the suspension period before you can drive legally again, and reinstatement requires paying a fee and meeting other conditions.

How Florida's Point System Works

Florida assigns points based on the type of violation. Speeding 1 to 15 miles per hour over the limit costs 3 points; speeding 16 to 29 miles per hour over costs 4 points; speeding 30 miles per hour or more costs 6 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Improper lane change is 3 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points.

The suspension thresholds are strict and automatic. If you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you reach 18 points within 18 months, the suspension is 3 months. If you reach 24 points within 36 months, the suspension is 12 months. These suspensions are mandatory — the DHSMV does not have discretion to waive them.

Points do not disappear after three years; they straightforward stop counting toward future suspensions. A violation from four years ago still appears on your record, but it no longer adds to your current point total. This matters if you are checking your record for insurance purposes or a job process, because insurers and employers can see the full history.

Using the DHSMV Online Portal

Go to DHSMV.org and look for the "Check Your Driving Record" or "View Your Driving Record" link on the homepage. You do not need to log in or create an account. Enter your Florida driver's license number and your date of birth exactly as they appear on your license.

The system will display your current point total, all violations on your record, and the date each violation will drop off (three years from the violation date). The record also shows any suspensions, revocations, or restrictions on your license. If you have been through a suspension and reinstated, that history appears as well.

Print or save the record if you need it for insurance, employment, or court purposes. The online record is official and accepted by most organizations. If you need a certified copy for a legal proceeding, you can request one through the DHSMV website or at a DMV office for a small fee.

Reducing Points Through Defensive Driving

Florida allows you to reduce your points by up to 3 by completing a defensive driving course (also called a traffic school course). You can do this once every 12 months, and you can take the course only if you have not taken one in the past 12 months. The course must be approved by the DHSMV.

You can take the course online or in person, depending on the provider. Most online courses take 4 to 8 hours and cost between $20 and $50. After you complete the course, the provider sends your completion certificate to the DHSMV, and the 3-point reduction is applied to your record within 1 to 2 weeks.

The point reduction does not erase the violation from your record — it only lowers your current point total. The violation still appears on your driving history for three years. If you are close to a suspension threshold, taking a defensive driving course can prevent the suspension from happening.

What Happens If You Reach Suspension Thresholds

When you hit the suspension threshold, the DHSMV sends you a notice by mail. The notice tells you the suspension start date, how long the suspension will last, and what you must do to reinstate your license. You cannot drive during the suspension period, even for work or medical emergencies.

To reinstate your license after a suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150 for a first suspension, $250 for a second within five years, and $500 for a third or more within five years). You must also complete a DHSMV-approved substance abuse course if your suspension was for accumulating points from traffic violations alone — this is a separate requirement from defensive driving.

After you pay the fee and complete any required courses, you can reinstate your license online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Reinstatement usually takes 1 to 3 business days if you do it online or in person, or up to 10 days by mail.

Checking Your Record for Insurance and Employment

Insurance companies and employers can request your driving record from the DHSMV. They see the same information you see online — all violations, points, and suspensions for the past three to five years (depending on what they request). A clean record with no violations in the past three years usually qualifies you for better insurance rates.

If you are explore for a job that requires driving (delivery, rideshare, commercial driving), the employer will almost certainly check your record. Multiple violations or a recent suspension can disqualify you. Some employers look back five years or more, even though points only count toward suspension after three years.

You have the right to see what information an insurance company or employer sees about you. You can request a copy of your record from the DHSMV and compare it to what they have on file. If there are errors, you can dispute them through the DHSMV.

Common Mistakes When Checking Your Points

The most common mistake is confusing the violation date with the payment date. Your points are assessed on the date of the violation, not the date you paid the fine or completed traffic school. If you were cited on January 15 but did not pay until March, the three-year countdown still starts on January 15. This matters when you are calculating whether you are close to a suspension threshold.

Another mistake is assuming that paying a fine removes points. Paying the fine does not change your point total — only a defensive driving course or the passage of three years reduces points. Some people pay fines and then are surprised to find their points are still there.

A third mistake is not checking your record after you complete a defensive driving course. The point reduction does not happen automatically on the day you finish the course. It takes 1 to 2 weeks for the provider to report your completion to the DHSMV and for the system to update. If you are close to a suspension, check your record again after two weeks to confirm the reduction was applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's driving record?

No, you can only check your own record through the public online portal. A third party (insurance company, employer, court) can request your record with your permission or a court order, but you cannot look up another person's points without their written consent and a valid reason recognized by Florida law.

What if my record shows points I do not remember getting?

Contact the DHSMV when ready. Errors do happen — a violation may have been reported to the wrong license number, or a ticket may have been entered twice. You can dispute the error by submitting a written request to the DHSMV with documentation (a copy of the ticket, proof of payment, or a court dismissal). The DHSMV will investigate and correct the record if the error is confirmed.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Florida suspension?

Yes. Florida counts violations from other states if you were driving a Florida-registered vehicle or if you hold a Florida license. The DHSMV receives reports from other states through the National Driver Register. Out-of-state points are converted to Florida points using a conversion table and added to your total.

How long does a suspension stay on my record?

A suspension appears on your driving record permanently, but it does not count toward future suspensions after three years. If you were suspended in 2021, the suspension still shows on your record in 2024, but it does not add to your current point total. Insurers and employers can see the suspension history, which may affect their decisions.

Can I get my license back early if I complete a defensive driving course during suspension?

No. A defensive driving course can prevent a suspension if you take it before you reach the threshold, but it cannot shorten a suspension that has already started. You must wait out the full suspension period. After the suspension ends, you must pay the reinstatement fee and complete any required courses before you can drive again.