Where to check your Florida driver license points online
You can check your points through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website without paying a fee. Go to www.flhsmv.gov, select "Driver License" from the menu, then choose "Check Your Driving Record." You'll need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.
The system shows your current point total, any suspensions or restrictions on your license, and a history of violations that added points. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, though they may affect your insurance and driving privileges before they fall off.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can visit any Florida Driver License office in person and ask for a copy of your driving record. Bring your driver license or ID. The office staff can print your record on the spot, though there may be a small fee for a certified copy if you need it for court or insurance purposes.
Key Takeaways
- The DHSMV website at www.flhsmv.gov lets you check your points free of charge using your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Points in Florida stay on your record for three years from the conviction date, and accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months triggers a suspension.
- You can also visit any Florida Driver License office in person to request a printed copy of your driving record.
- Your point total affects both your insurance rates and your legal right to drive, so checking regularly helps you understand your status.
How Florida's point system works
Florida assigns points based on the type of violation. A minor infraction like speeding 1–15 miles per hour over the limit costs 3 points, while reckless driving costs 4 points. More serious violations such as leaving the scene of an accident or driving with a suspended license cost 6 points. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period results in a license suspension.
The suspension length depends on how many times you've been suspended before. A first suspension lasts 30 days. A second suspension within five years lasts 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within five years lasts 150 days. After the suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DHSMV before you can legally drive again.
Points also affect your insurance rates. Most insurers raise premiums when you accumulate points, and some may drop you entirely if your point total becomes too high. Checking your points regularly helps you understand how violations are affecting both your driving record and your insurance costs.
What to do if you see incorrect points on your record
If your online record shows points you believe are wrong—such as a violation you were found not guilty of, or points that should have been removed after three years—you can dispute them through the DHSMV. Start by requesting a certified copy of your driving record from any Driver License office or through the online system. This official document shows exactly what the state has on file.
If the record is incorrect, contact the court that handled the original violation. The court must send a corrected disposition to the DHSMV, which then updates your driving record. This process typically takes 30 to 60 days. You can find the correct court by searching the case number on the Florida court system website or by calling the DHSMV at 1-844-5-DHSMV (1-844-534-7368) for guidance on which court handled your case.
Keep copies of any court documents showing the correct outcome of your case. If you were found not guilty or the charge was dismissed, the court paperwork proves it. Send these documents to the DHSMV along with a written request to correct your record, and keep a copy for your files.
How points affect your insurance rates
Insurance companies in Florida can see your driving record, including every point on it. Most insurers use points as one factor in setting your premium. A single 3-point violation might raise your rate by 10 to 20 percent, depending on the insurer. More serious violations—such as a 6-point reckless driving charge—can increase your rate by 30 percent or more, or cause the insurer to drop you entirely.
The impact varies by company. Some insurers are stricter than others about points, and some offer programs that lower your rate if you complete a defensive driving course. After three years, points fall off your driving record and no longer count toward new insurance quotes, though some insurers may still see them if they pull your full history.
If your current insurer raises your rate significantly after points are added, shopping for a new policy is often worth the effort. Some insurers specialize in drivers with points or violations and may offer better rates than your current company.
Understanding license suspension and reinstatement
A suspension means you are not legally allowed to drive. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, the DHSMV will send you a notice of suspension by mail. The suspension becomes effective 30 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange alternative transportation.
During a suspension, driving is illegal and can result in criminal charges, a fine, and additional points on your record. If you are stopped by police while suspended, you face arrest and your vehicle may be impounded. Even driving to the DHSMV office to pay your reinstatement fee is illegal during the suspension period.
To reinstate your license after the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DHSMV. The fee is typically $150, though it may vary. You can pay online at www.flhsmv.gov, by mail, or in person at any Driver License office. Once payment is processed, your license is reinstated and you can legally drive again.
How to reduce points through a defensive driving course
Florida allows you to reduce up to 4 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course, also called a traffic school course. You can take the course only once every 12 months, and only if you have not taken one in the past 12 months. The course does not remove points—it reduces them—and you must complete it before the points fall off naturally after three years.
You can take the course online or in person. Most online courses take 4 to 8 hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50. After you finish, the course provider sends a completion certificate to the DHSMV. The reduction typically appears on your record within 30 days.
Taking a defensive driving course also may lower your insurance rate. Many insurers offer a discount—typically 5 to 15 percent—if you complete an approved course. Contact your insurer before taking the course to confirm they offer the discount and that the course you choose is on their approved list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for points to show up on my Florida driving record?
Points appear on your record after the court enters a conviction. This usually happens within 30 to 60 days of your court date, though it can take longer if the court is backed up. You can check the DHSMV website to see when points have been added.
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No. Only the license holder can access their own record through the DHSMV website. A third party can request a certified copy of a driving record only if they have a court order or a legal reason recognized by Florida law, such as being an attorney in a case involving that driver.
What happens if I get points while my license is already suspended?
Points continue to accumulate even during a suspension. If you receive a violation while suspended, those points add to your record and may extend your suspension or create a new suspension period once your current one ends.
Do points from other states show up on my Florida record?
Yes. Florida participates in the Driver License Compact, which shares violation information between states. Points from violations in other states may appear on your Florida record and count toward a suspension if they occurred within the relevant time period.
Will my points go away if I move out of Florida?
No. Your Florida driving record follows you. If you move to another state and keep your Florida license, the points remain on your Florida record. If you get a license in your new state, that state may see your Florida record through the Driver License Compact.