If you got a red light camera ticket in the mail, but someone else was driving, you are still the one responsible for paying it. Florida law holds the registered owner of the vehicle liable for camera-issued violations, even if you were not driving.
That creates a real problem for many drivers. You may not know who was driving, or the person who was driving may refuse to take responsibility. Florida has also expanded automated enforcement in recent years, which means more tickets are reaching more mailboxes.
You may have options, but it is smart to get legal help. Our legal team has more than four decades of combined experience. Call today for a free consultation and find out how our T-bone accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can help with your situation.
Does Florida Law Make the Vehicle Owner Pay No Matter Who Was Driving?
Yes. Under Florida law, the registered owner of a vehicle is responsible for a red light camera ticket, regardless of who was driving at the time. This is different from a ticket issued by a police officer, where the driver is cited directly.
The only exception is if the vehicle was stolen or if you can prove someone else was driving through an affidavit process. Even then, the burden falls on you to provide that information to the issuing authority.
This rule has become a bigger issue as Florida has expanded its use of automated red light camera enforcement. More cameras mean more tickets sent to owners who may have had no involvement in the violation.
What Happens if You Ignore a Red Light Camera Ticket?
Ignoring the ticket does not make it go away. Florida red light camera violations are civil infractions, and the fine typically starts at $158. You’ll have 30 days to pay the notice, request a hearing, or submit an affidavit if someone else was driving.
If you do nothing, your violation can be converted into a Uniform Traffic Citation, which carries higher fines and additional court costs. The deadline to pay your Uniform Traffic Citation is 30 days.
If you miss this second deadline, the county clerk will notify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and your driver’s license may be suspended. An attorney can offer advice on the best way to deal with your traffic citation in Florida.
What if Your Camera Ticket Is for a School Zone?
Florida sets different fines for automated camera violations in school zones. Unlike a standard red light camera ticket, school zone cameras catch speeding, not red-light running. The fine for a school zone camera violation starts at $100.
However, the timeline to respond is much stricter. You have only 30 days to act before it escalates to a Uniform Traffic Citation.
Does a Red Light Camera Ticket Add Points to Your License?
A standard red light camera ticket does not add points to your driving record. These violations are civil infractions against the vehicle owner, not moving violations against a specific driver.
However, if you do not respond within the initial window, your ticket will escalate to a Uniform Traffic Citation. At that stage, points may be added to your driving record.
This is one reason some people choose to pay the fine rather than contest it. But paying does mean you accept responsibility for the violation, so it is worth thinking through your options before you respond.
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Can You Contest a Red Light Traffic Ticket?
You have the right to request a hearing to contest the ticket. The process starts by submitting a written request before the deadline printed on the notice, typically 60 days. Missing that window typically means you lose the right to challenge it.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that you were not the driver, that the car was stolen, or that the camera equipment malfunctioned. You can also challenge the placement of the camera or whether proper signage was posted at the intersection.
A local hearing officer or Special Magistrate will conduct your hearing rather than a traditional judge. It is free to request a hearing; however, if you lose, the officer can uphold your initial fine and impose additional administrative costs.
Can You Transfer the Ticket to the Person Who Was Driving?
Florida law gives you the option to submit an affidavit identifying the person who was actually driving. That affidavit needs to include the driver’s name, address, and license information. If the issuing authority accepts it, they will reissue the ticket to that driver instead of you.
The process seems simple, but there can be issues. The person you name can dispute your claim, and you take on responsibility for the accuracy of what you submit. Putting false information on an affidavit creates a separate legal issue that can make your situation worse.
An attorney can walk you through what the affidavit requires and help you gather the right documentation before you submit anything.
Get Legal Help With a Red Light Camera Ticket You Did Not Deserve
If you got a red light camera ticket when you weren’t the one driving your vehicle, you are legally obligated to pay. Getting the blame for something you did not do is frustrating, and the process for fixing it is not always obvious.
Our wrongful death lawyers in Fort Lauderdale may help, especially if the violation resulted in an accident where a loved one was injured or lost their life.
Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $250 million for accident victims. Call today to discuss your options.
