How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving Record in Florida

This guide breaks down how long each type of violation stays on your Florida driving record, how it affects your insurance rates, and how White Chip Insurance can help you.

Introduction

Traffic violations can affect your car insurance rates, license status, and driving privileges for years. Many Florida drivers want to know exactly how long specific violations stay on their driving record and how these violations impact insurance premiums. Since Florida is considered a high-risk state for auto insurance, understanding these timelines can help you manage costs and avoid long-term penalties.

This guide breaks down how long each type of violation stays on your Florida driving record, how it affects your insurance rates, and how White Chip Insurance can help you find affordable coverage even with past violations.

How Long Do Moving Violations Stay on Your Record?

Most standard moving violations, such as speeding or failure to yield, stay on your Florida driving record for three to five years. These violations may impact your insurance rate during that entire period.

Common three to five year violations include:

Speeding tickets
Running a red light
Careless driving
Improper lane changes

Although the violation may fall off your insurance rating timeline sooner, it remains on the official driving record for the full retention period.

How Long Do DUI Convictions Stay on Your Record?

A DUI conviction stays on your Florida driving record for 75 years. This is essentially a lifetime record. A DUI has the longest retention period of all Florida violations.

DUI convictions also lead to:

Mandatory FR-44 insurance
License suspension
High-risk insurance status
Substantially higher premiums

Even though the DUI stays on the record for 75 years, insurance companies typically surcharge the violation for three to five years. However, the requirement for FR-44 insurance lasts a minimum of three years.

How Long Do Serious Violations Stay on Your Record?

Serious violations may stay on your driving record for up to 10 years or longer, depending on the offense.

Examples include:

Reckless driving
Leaving the scene of an accident
Driving with a suspended license
Excessive speeding violations
Hit-and-run incidents

These violations often classify you as a high-risk driver and may require SR-22 filing.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your Florida License?

Florida uses a point system to track driving behavior. Points stay on your driving record for 36 months, calculated from the date of the offense.

Examples of point assignments:

3 points for speeding under 15 mph over the limit
4 points for speeding over 15 mph above the limit
6 points for leaving the scene of a minor accident

Too many points within a short period can lead to license suspension.

How Violations Affect Your Car Insurance Rates in Florida

Insurance companies review your driving history when calculating your rates. Violations can increase your premium for several years, depending on severity:

Minor tickets may affect your rate for three years
Moderate violations may affect you for up to five years
DUI and reckless driving violations can impact rates for five years or longer

Even if a violation remains on your DMV record longer, insurers usually only charge you for it within this three to five year pricing window.

White Chip Insurance specializes in helping drivers with violations find affordable auto insurance by comparing rates across multiple carriers.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Driving Record?

Most violations in Florida cannot be removed early. However, completing a driver improvement course may help you avoid points for certain minor citations.

You may qualify to remove or reduce penalties by:

Taking a Basic Driver Improvement Course
Requesting traffic school for minor violations
Contesting tickets in court

White Chip Insurance can help you understand how a recent violation may impact your rates and what steps may help lower your premium.

How to Lower Car Insurance Rates After a Violation

Even with violations on your record, you can still lower your insurance costs. Strategies include:

Comparing quotes from multiple insurers
Completing a defensive driving or mature driver course
Choosing a higher deductible
Adjusting coverage levels
Maintaining continuous coverage
Avoiding additional violations

White Chip Insurance can help you identify carriers that are more forgiving of past violations and offer lower rates to high-risk drivers.

Final Thoughts

Violations can stay on your Florida driving record for several years or, in the case of DUI, nearly a lifetime. These violations can raise your insurance rates, but there are still ways to save. By comparing quotes, taking driver courses, and choosing the right insurer, Florida drivers can significantly lower their premiums.

White Chip Insurance provides free, expert help to drivers with violations. Whether you need standard coverage, SR-22 insurance, or FR-44 insurance, they can help you find an affordable policy that fits your needs.