What Happens if I Don’t Pay a Ticket in Florida?

Bill Allen | July 26, 2025 | Car Accidents

If you receive a traffic ticket in Florida, it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible. Ignoring a ticket may seem like a small thing, but the consequences can add up fast. From late fees to license suspension, unpaid tickets can cause many problems in your life. 

In this article, we’ll explain what happens when you don’t pay a ticket in Florida, and how it can impact your driving record, your wallet, and even your freedom.

What Is a Traffic Ticket?

A traffic ticket is a citation you get for breaking a traffic law. Common reasons for tickets include speeding, running a red light, not wearing a seatbelt, or driving with expired tags. You may receive a ticket from a police officer during a traffic stop, or it could arrive in the mail, especially for red-light camera violations. 

Traffic tickets usually require you to do one of three things: pay the fine, attend traffic school, or appear in court. If you choose to ignore the ticket or forget about it, that’s where the real trouble begins.

What Happens Right After You Miss the Payment Deadline?

In Florida, you normally have 30 days to respond to a traffic ticket. If you don’t act within that time—whether by paying the fine, contesting it in court, or choosing traffic school—the situation will quickly worsen. 

First, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will be notified that you failed to comply. Once this happens, the FLHSMV can take further steps to resolve the ticket. 

At this point, you will likely have to pay extra fees, and the court will mark your case as delinquent. This means you’re no longer just responsible for the original ticket but also added penalties and charges.

Your Driver’s License Could Be Suspended

One of the biggest problems with not paying a traffic ticket in Florida is that your driver’s license can be suspended. This means you legally cannot drive until the matter is fixed. Driving on a suspended license is a serious crime in Florida and can lead to arrest, more fines, and even jail time.

Once your license is suspended, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee in addition to the original ticket and late fees. Getting your license back is not always quick or easy, especially if the suspension has lasted a long time or if you have multiple violations. 

A suspended license can also affect your job, especially if you rely on driving for work, or make it difficult to take care of your family and daily needs.

It Can Hurt Your Credit Score

In some cases, unpaid tickets in Florida may be turned over to a collection agency. When this happens, the debt from the ticket could be reported to credit bureaus. If the ticket appears on your credit report, it can lower your credit score. 

A lower credit score can affect many parts of your life. It can make it harder to get a loan, rent an apartment, or even get a job. All of this can happen just because you didn’t pay a traffic ticket on time.

You Could End Up in Court—or Even Jail

If you continue to ignore a traffic ticket, the court may issue a D-6 Suspension, and in some situations, a bench warrant for your arrest. This means law enforcement officers can arrest you and take you to jail. 

While it’s rare to go to jail over a basic traffic ticket, it can happen, especially if you’ve ignored multiple tickets or failed to appear in court. If you get arrested, you may have to pay bail and court fees, which makes the whole situation even more expensive. 

This kind of legal trouble can also create a criminal record, which may follow you for years and make other areas of life more difficult.

Call Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help with a Traffic Ticket

A traffic ticket might not seem like a big deal initially, but ignoring it can lead to major headaches. The risks of not paying a ticket in Florida are serious, from license suspension to higher insurance rates and even arrest. 

If you’ve missed a payment or court date, take action right away, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today, we’re open 24 hours daily.

We have three convenient locations in Marion County and Alachua County, North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville Office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258