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1. Who may make an election to attend driver improvement school?

Any person charged with a moving or non-moving violation, other than violations involving driver licenses, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, serious accidents, or leaving a child under the age of six unattended in a vehicle, is eligible to elect to attend a driver improvement course in lieu of accumulating points on their driver history record.

2. What is the benefit of making an election?

An election to attend a driver improvement course to satisfy the violation will be entered on your driver history record as an "adjudication withheld". In other words, no points will be assessed against your driver's license.

3. Do I have to pay to elect a driver improvement course?

Yes, the civil penalty is required and established by law.

The Martin County Bar Association provides access to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) approved courses through Florida Online Traffic School. You may look under "Driver Instruction" in the Yellow Pages of local phone books. You may access information about Basic Driver Improvement Courses and providers through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

4. How can I elect to attend a driver improvement course?

• You may come to any of the Clerk's Office locations to make your election, or 
• Fill in Option 3 of the Traffic Citation Guide provided by the officer at the time you were cited for the violation, and upon completion, mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 100 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994, or
• If you did not receive a Traffic Citation Guide at the time of the stop, download the guide and complete Option 3 on this form, and mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 100 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994.

5. What do I do after I have made the election to attend the driver improvement course?

After you have completed and mailed your election to the Clerk, contact an approved school to arrange a schedule for the course. You will need to be prepared to pay for the course at the time you enroll. You must attend and complete the course and provide proof of completion to the Clerk's Office within 60 calendar days of your election. If you fail to meet any one of these requirements, you will be required to pay a civil penalty. In addition, a late fee will be owed, your driver's license will be suspended, a reinstatement fee to reinstate your privilege to drive will be required, and a conviction of the violation will be reported on your driver history record.

6. How many times can I elect to attend a driver improvement course?

You may make an election to attend a driver improvement course to satisfy an eligible traffic violation one time in a 12 month period, but no more than five times in your lifetime. If you elect to attend but fail to satisfy the requirements, the election will still count towards the five allowed.

7. What if I receive a ticket outside of Martin County?

For information on the election requirements and costs involved, contact the traffic department of the Clerk's Office for the County in which you received the citation. For information on the driver improvement course locations, hours and costs, contact an approved school.

8. How can I obtain a list of traffic schools?

• The Martin County Bar Association provides access to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) approved courses through Florida Online Traffic School.
• You may look under "Driver Instruction" in the Yellow Pages of local phone books.
• You may access information about Basic Driver Improvement Courses and providers through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

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1. I received a citation, what do I do?

You have 30 days from the date the citation is issued to satisfy your citation.

Download the Traffic Citation Guide (PDF).

2. How much is my fine?

Please view our schedule of fees and fines.

3. What if I get a citation for faulty equipment?

You are responsible for the citation, regardless of who owns the vehicle. You have two options:

1. Within 30 days of receiving the citation, repair the faulty equipment and have an officer sign the back of the citation, certifying the problem has been corrected, and pay a fine of $93 to the Clerk.
2. Do not repair the faulty equipment and pay a fine of $113, within 30 days of receiving the citation.

4. What if I get a citation for no proof of insurance or registration?

If you submit proof that the insurance or registration was valid at the time the citation was issued, you only pay $10. If you provide proof that is valid after the citation was issued, the full fine amount is due.

5. What are my payment options?

• Online: nCourt
• By Phone: Call 772-288-5542, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.
• By Mail: Money Order, Personal Check, and Cashier's Check accepted. Mail payment to:
  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  Traffic Violations Bureau
  P.O. Box 9016
  Stuart, FL 34995
• In Person: At any one of the following locations listed:
  • Martin County Courthouse
    Traffic Division
    100 E Ocean Boulevard
    Stuart, FL 34994
    Monday through Friday
    8 am to 5 pm
  • Hobe Sound Branch Office
    Island Crossing Shopping Plaza
    11730 SE Federal Highway
    Hobe Sound, FL 33455 
    Temporarily Closed for Renovations
  • Indiantown Branch Office
    Martin County Government Complex
    16550 SW Warfield Boulevard
    Indiantown, FL 34956
    Wednesdays Only
    8 am to 1 pm
    2 to 4:30 pm

6. Can I get an extension for paying the citation?

Yes, you may elect our payment plan option. This may be done in person or by mail. You must pay a $25 fee to initiate the payment plan. This fee will not go towards your fine. For information regarding a payment plan please contact the Compliance Department at 772-221-2306.

7. Where can I find a traffic school (Driver Improvement Course)?

You can visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website or look in your local phone book.

Please be sure to follow the instructions on the School Election Affidavit (PDF).

A CDL (commercial driver's license) holder may not elect school on any citation.

8. Can I elect to attend Traffic School for a child restraint violation?

No, but you may elect to attend a Child Restraint Course. In order to be eligible to attend a Child Restraint Course you must not have elected Traffic School and/or a Child Restraint Course within the past twelve months, or five times in one person's lifetime.

Please be sure to follow the instructions on the School Election Affidavit (PDF).

9. How can I find out how many points are on my driver’s license?

You can obtain a 3-year history printout from this office for a fee of $14.25. You can also obtain a complete history printout for $16.25.

10. Can I request a court date for my traffic ticket?

Yes, complete and return the Not Guilty Plea form (PDF). You will only receive a Court Date for the citations listed on your Not Guilty Plea form. You or your attorney must be present on the court date. If you are sentenced by the court, you will be expected to pay fines on the day of court.

11. Can I request a court date and not appear in court?

Yes, you must request your court date by filling out the Not Guilty Plea form (PDF). Next, you must complete an Affidavit of Defense form (PDF) and post a bond with the clerk. To find out the bond amount contact the Clerk at 772-288-5542. The affidavit will be reviewed by the court.

12. Can I appeal the Judge’s ruling on a traffic citation?

Yes, a Notice of Appeal must be filed with the Clerk within 30 days of the Judge's decision.

• A Filing fee of $281 is due at the time the Notice of Appeal is filed.
• Statutory clerk fees for preparing the record of appeal will be invoiced to the parties in accordance with the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• You MUST pay the fine imposed by the Judge. Should the decision of the Judge be overturned, the court will determine if any monies are returned to you.

Law Library

The Law Library is available for legal research and is located in the Blake Library in Stuart. For further information call 772-221-1427.

Martin County Law Library Resources

Law Library
Inside the Blake Library
2351 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34996

Phone: 772-221-1427

Monday through Thursday
Noon to 4:30 pm