Traffic Citations Information
A Civil Traffic Citation is a non-criminal traffic violation that is not punishable by incarceration and for which there is no right to a trial by jury or a right to court-appointed counsel. Most civil traffic infractions do not require a court appearance, but can be disposed by paying a civil penalty, requesting an infraction hearing, or electing to attend a driver improvement course.
If you are interested in attending a Defensive Driving School, you must first contact the Traffic Division at the Clerk of Court for payment and enrollment information.
Your options for a Traffic Citation
In Escambia County, you have 30 days from the date of issuance to elect one of the following:
- Option 1: Plead guilty, accept points on your driver license and pay the ticket
- Option 2: Pay the ticket and Elect Traffic School to withhold adjudication off your driving record
- Option 3: Contest the ticket and request a court hearing
Option 1 - Pay the Ticket
By paying the Traffic Civil Penalty, you are admitting guilt and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will assess points on your driving record for moving violations.
Pay Online, by mail or in person.
Option 2 - Go To Traffic School
Florida Statute 318.14 provides qualified individuals the option to elect to attend a Basic Driver Improvement Course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to prevent points from being assessed to your driving record. To choose this option, you must first complete the Traffic Election Form and make payment within 30 days from the date the citation was issued. The election to attend a Basic Driver Improvement Course along with the payment may be made by mail or in person to the Clerk's Office. To determine the total costs for the traffic school election see the Basic Driver's Course Election Fine Schedule (PDF).
You must make the election prior to attending the course and making payment. A course completed before the election is made will not be accepted and your license will still be suspended unless a new course is completed, and proof is submitted to the Clerk's Office within 60 days after the date of the election.
Upon completion of the approved Basic Driver Improvement Course, you must bring, mail, or email the certificate of completion to the Clerk's Office. Failure to complete the Basic Driver Improvement Course and turn the certificate of completion into the Clerk's Office within 60 days from the date of election will result in a report of non-compliance being submitted to the DHSMV and your driver's license being suspended. If this occurs, additional court costs and late charges will be applied to your citation and will need to be paid before the suspension can be cleared.
Option 3 - Contesting Your Ticket
If you choose to enter a 'Not Guilty' plea and contest the traffic citation in court, you must notify the Clerk in writing within 30 days of the date the citation was issued to request a traffic infraction hearing.
Escambia County Clerk of Court
Mailing Address
Traffic Division
PO Box 333
Pensacola, FL 32591-0333
Physical Address
190W Government StRoom 13001, 1st Floor
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 850-595-4360
