Got a Speeding
Ticket in Orlando?
A speeding ticket in Orlando means points on your license, higher insurance costs, and one step closer to a suspension. The faster the alleged speed, the worse the penalties.
A traffic defense lawyer can challenge the radar or laser evidence, negotiate a reduction, and work to keep points off your record.
A speeding ticket in Florida costs more than the number printed on the citation. The base fine is the smallest part of the expense. What most drivers do not calculate is the insurance premium increase that follows a speeding conviction.
A single 4-point speeding ticket can raise your auto insurance rate by 15 to 30% for 3 to 5 years. On a typical Central Florida policy, that translates to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in additional premiums. The ticket itself might cost $250 after court fees. The real cost is measured in years.
Under Florida Statute § 318.18, speeding fines are calculated based on how far over the posted limit you were traveling. Court costs, surcharges, and administrative fees are added to every citation, often doubling the base fine. Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit triggers a mandatory court hearing and eliminates the option of traffic school.
And as of July 1, 2025, driving 50 mph or more over the limit or 100 mph or more is a criminal offense under the new dangerous excessive speeding statute, § 316.1922.
Attorney James P. Kelly handles speeding ticket defense throughout Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida. When you call, you reach your attorney directly.
| Speed Over Limit | Base Fine | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–9 mph | $25 | 3 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| 10–14 mph | $100 | 3 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| 15–19 mph | $150 | 4 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| 20–29 mph | $175 | 4 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| 30+ mph | $250 | 4 | Mandatory hearing; no traffic school |
| 50+ mph over or 100+ mph | $500+ | 4 | Criminal offense (§ 316.1922); up to 30 days jail (1st) |
Fines are doubled in school zones, construction zones where workers are present, and posted toll zones. An additional $50 surcharge applies in enhanced penalty zones. Late payment adds $16 to the total.
The true financial impact of a speeding ticket extends well beyond what you pay the court.
After court costs, surcharges, and administrative fees, a speeding ticket with a $175 base fine in Orange County typically costs $250 to $300 out of pocket. But the insurance increase is where the damage compounds.
A single speeding conviction can increase your premium by hundreds of dollars per year.
Over the 3 to 5 years that the violation remains on your record, the total insurance cost often exceeds $1,000 to $3,000 depending on your insurer, driving history, and the severity of the violation.
Keeping the points off your record eliminates this cost entirely.
Effective July 1, 2025, Florida Statute § 316.1922 created a new criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding.
A driver commits this offense by exceeding the posted speed limit by 50 mph or more, or by driving at 100 mph or more in a manner that threatens the safety of others or interferes with the normal flow of traffic.
A first conviction carries up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
A second or subsequent conviction carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
If the second offense occurs within five years of a prior conviction, the driver’s license must be revoked for at least 180 days and up to one year.
This is a criminal charge that requires a mandatory court appearance. You cannot resolve it by paying a fine online or by mail. The charge carries all the consequences of a criminal conviction, including a permanent criminal record, and it gives law enforcement authority to arrest the driver at the scene.
Most speeding citations in Orlando are based on radar, LIDAR, or officer pacing. Each method has specific requirements for accuracy.
Radar and LIDAR devices must be properly calibrated and tested according to manufacturer specifications. The officer must be trained and certified to operate the specific device.
Pacing requires the officer to maintain a consistent following distance over a measured distance.
If calibration records are missing, the device was not tested within the required timeframe, or the officer’s training has lapsed, the speed evidence may be challenged.
At a hearing, the citing officer must appear and provide testimony establishing the violation.
If the officer does not appear, the ticket is dismissed.
If the officer does appear, your attorney can cross-examine the officer on the circumstances of the stop, the conditions at the time, the specific equipment used, and any inconsistencies in the documentation.
When a full dismissal is not achievable, your attorney may negotiate a reduction to a lower speed bracket (reducing points from 4 to 3) or a reduction to a non-moving violation that carries no points. Either outcome protects your driving record and your insurance rates.
Florida law allows drivers to elect traffic school once every 12 months to avoid points on eligible violations. However, traffic school is not available for speeding 30 mph or more over the posted limit.
It is also not available for criminal traffic offenses, including the new dangerous excessive speeding statute.
When traffic school is available, completing an approved course withholds adjudication and prevents points from being added to your record. You still pay the fine and the cost of the school, but the points and the insurance increase are avoided.
The math on fighting a speeding ticket almost always favors contesting it. The cost of legal representation is typically far less than the long-term insurance increase that follows a conviction.
An attorney who reviews your citation, driving record, and the available evidence can determine the best path forward and handle the entire process without requiring you to appear in court.
When you call The Law Office of James P. Kelly, you speak directly with attorney James P. Kelly. The firm handles speeding tickets in Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, and courts throughout Central Florida. English and Spanish-speaking clients are welcome — hablamos español.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case involves unique facts and circumstances that affect the outcome. Contacting The Law Office of James P. Kelly, P.A. does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Speeding 1 to 14 mph over the limit adds 3 points. Speeding 15 mph or more over adds 4 points. If the speeding caused a crash, 6 points are assessed.
Traffic school is available once every 12 months for eligible violations. It is not available if you were exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more, or for criminal traffic offenses like dangerous excessive speeding.
As of July 1, 2025, this is a criminal offense under § 316.1922. You face up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for a first offense, with mandatory court appearance. This is not a payable ticket.
For most civil speeding infractions, your attorney can appear on your behalf. Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit requires a mandatory hearing. Criminal excessive speeding under § 316.1922 requires a personal court appearance.
Almost always. A speeding conviction adds points to your record, which triggers an insurance premium increase that typically lasts 3 to 5 years. The increase varies by insurer but commonly ranges from 15 to 30% or more.
