• How do I pay my traffic ticket?
• Can I get an extension on my ticket?
• Can Lake County accept payments for citations issued in other counties?
• How do I request a court hearing?
• What is a civil traffic infraction?
• What is a criminal traffic charge?
• Are there other options available to me other than paying my ticket?
• What happens if the ticket is not paid timely?
• I've received a letter from Tallahassee; what do I do?
• I missed my court date, can I reschedule?

• What is the benefit of going to driver school?
• Who may make an election to attend driver improvement school?
• How can one elect to attend driver improvement school?
• Can I elect to attend defensive driving school after I have paid my citation?
• When is your next driving school class?
• Can I change my mind after I elect to attend a driver improvement class?

• Traffic Division
• Download/Open: Driving School Affidavit.pdf
• Download/Open: Proof of Registration or Insurance.pdf
• Download/Open: Not Guilty Plea.doc
• Download/Open: Change of Address form.doc
• Fees
• Office Location and Phone Number
• Online Court Records

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• How do I pay my traffic ticket?
  Traffic fines may be mailed using the pre-addressed blue envelope provided to you at the time of citation, paid online, or paid at the cashier's window located on the first floor of the Lake County Judicial Center, 550 W Main St, Tavares FL. If you did not receive the pre-addressed blue envelope, payment can be mailed to: Neil Kelly, Clerk
  Attn: Traffic Department
  P.O. Box 7800
  Tavares, FL 32778-7800

• Can I get an extension on my ticket?
  Yes, you may receive a 2-week extension when you call within 30-days from the date the ticket was issued.

• Can Lake County accept payments for citations issued in other counties?
  No. Lake County can only accept payments for citations issued in Lake County. We must receive the full payment to ensure proper disbursement to all government entities.
  
• How do I request a court hearing?
  A court hearing may be requested by mailing a written request to the Traffic Dept., Lake County Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778 or by coming to the Traffic Window at the Clerk's Office and signing a plea of not guilty.

• What is a civil traffic infraction?
  A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by the payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a defensive driving course. A court appearance is usually not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident with serious bodily injury or fatality.
  
  Payment of a civil infraction can be made by mail, using the envelope provided by the officer, or in person by going to the Clerk of the Courts Office within the county in which the infraction occurred.

• What is a criminal traffic charge?
  A criminal traffic charge is a violation of Florida Statutes which requires a court appearance. Some examples are:
  • Driving While License is Suspended
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Reckless Driving
  
  Criminal charges carry penalties which may include fines and court costs, probation and/or the possibility of a jail term. Persons charged with a criminal offense will receive a notice to appear indicating a court date, time and location.
  
• Are there other options available to me other than paying my ticket?
  Yes, payable civil infractions may be satisfied by the following means:
  • Enter a plea of Not Guilty and request a hearing before the court
  • Elect to attend a driver improvement course, if provided for by law, or
  • Submit an Affidavit of Compliance for cases involving safety equipment violations
  
  Traffic tickets written for certain driver's license, registration, or insurance violations may be dismissed, with a court cost, by the Clerk if valid proof of compliance can be shown. Proof of compliancy must be valid at the time of the offense.
  
• What happens if the ticket is not paid timely?
  A suspension will be entered against your driver's license and you will be subject to additional penalties. You may also be turned over to a collection agency for any unpaid fines.

• I've received a letter from Tallahassee; what do I do?
  Most letters are explaining ways to handle a suspension or are informing you of a suspension that is about to occur. Some letters are informing the person of a traffic collision class that they must take within a certain time due to an accident they had. It is important to follow the directions of the letter to avoid or to help correct a suspension.
  
• I missed my court date, can I reschedule?
  Yes, if your court date was for a criminal traffic matter. You may come in person to the Clerk's office and sign an agreement to appear for a new court date. This is a one-time opportunity. If you miss your court date the second time, you will need to turn yourself in at the county jail and bond out. If you missed your court date for a civil citation to which you pled not guilty, you may not reschedule. The judge will have assessed your fine along with court costs.

• What is the benefit of going to driver school?
  Taking the defensive driving school will keep the points from going on your driving record. The citation will show on your record, but will show an adjudication withheld. Accident cases are 4-6 points and speeding tickets are 3-4 points.
  
• Who may make an election to attend driver improvement school?
  Any person charged with a moving traffic violation, other than violations involving driver licenses, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, or any violation requiring mandatory court appearance, and who has not signed an affidavit in the past twelve (12) months or more than five (5) times within the last 10 years, is eligible to elect to attend a driver improvement course.

• How can one elect to attend driver improvement school?
  You may come into the Clerk's Office to make your election, or obtain an election affidavit in the county nearest you and make your election to attend a driver improvement course by mail.
  
  Complete the affidavit (signed and notarized) and submit the original affidavit in the pre-addressed envelope within 30 calendar days of the ticket date. Include your payment for the civil penalty and $7.00 affidavit fee and allow sufficient time to ensure your Election Affidavit is received in the Clerk's Office within the allotted 30 days.
  
  After you have completed and mailed your election to the Clerk, contact a driver improvement school to arrange an appointment for the approved course. You must submit a completion certificate to the Clerk within 60 calendar days from the date you elected to attend (the date you signed the affidavit).
• Can I elect to attend defensive driving school after I have paid my citation?
  No. Once you have paid your citation, you have made your election for that violation. If you wish to attend school, you should inform the cashier at the time of making your payment or when mailing in your payment or before paying online.
  
• When is your next driving school class?
  The Clerk's Office does not schedule the class. The defendant must get in contact with the school of his or her choice. A list of schools may be found in the Yellow Pages of your local telephone directory under "Driving Instructions". You may also obtain a listing of schools at the Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles website as well as information regarding online classes.

• Can I change my mind after I elect to attend a driver improvement class? Yes. If you choose not to meet the driving school requirement for any reason prior to the sixty days, you must inform the Clerk of Court in writing that you wish to cancel your election.  If your request to cancel your driving school requirement is not received within 60 days, your driver's license will be suspended and a late fee and reinstatement fee will be assessed. A conviction of the violation will be reported on your driver history record.