Traffic Ticket FAQs

Law Enforcement officers have 5 days to file traffic tickets with the Clerk. Processing may take up to 3 business days. Please search again in a few days.

Refer to the Traffic Ticket Options section for complete details.

No.

Yes, you can look up your case information using ClerkNet by entering your name into the search function.

You can find details about your traffic court case by searching ClerkNet.

You are not permitted to drive until you clear the suspension and have your driver’s license reinstated.

Each traffic school sets its own rate; please check with the school of your choice.

Find a Certified Driver Improvement Course School.

If you were given a payable traffic ticket not requiring a court appearance, you have 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued to pay your fine.

If your traffic ticket is for one of the violations listed below, then you must provide proof of a valid document, as indicated, to the Clerk’s Office and pay the fine. If you do not provide proof, a court appearance will be required. 

• Failure to carry a driver’s license or an expired license
  Provide proof that the driver’s license is now valid and pay the fine
• Failure to carry vehicle registration or an expired registration
  Provide proof that the registration is now valid, sign and notarize an Affidavit of Non-Ownership(PDF, 136KB), and pay the fine.
• Failure to carry valid vehicle insurance
  Provide proof of valid insurance, sign and notarize an Affidavit of Non-Ownership(PDF, 136KB) and pay the fine. Proof of insurance can be an insurance card, policy declaration page, or certificate of insurance.
• Faulty equipment (unsafe equipment)
  If your traffic ticket is for driving with unsafe equipment or for faulty emissions, you may, within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued:
  • Have the defect corrected
  • Pay a fee to the sheriff’s office to certify the defect was corrected and include an Affidavit of Compliance, which is listed under Option 6 on the ticket.
  • Provide the Clerk’s Office with the signed Affidavit of Compliance and pay $94.00 fee

Pay Traffic Ticket Online

Certain non-criminal traffic violations result in charges that carry a mandatory court appearance. These charges include, but are not limited to:

• serious bodily injury or fatality
• leaving a child in a car with the engine running
•  no proof of insurance and failure to provide such proof
• speeding 30 MPH or more over the speed limit
• passing a stopped school bus on the exit side
• load dropping from the back of vehicle

There are many possible reasons why a driver’s license is suspended. If you have any past-due or open traffic tickets in Sarasota County, we can assist you in resolving them. If your license is suspended for any other reason or for tickets in another county, you may contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) at 850-617-2000

If you can provide proof that the driver’s license, vehicle registration, or vehicle insurance was valid at the time the ticket was issued, your ticket may be dismissed with a $10 dismissal fee.