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Speeding 31+ Over in Florida: Criminal Charge & Insurance Impact

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What makes 31+ over a criminal charge in Florida

Florida Statute 316.189 classifies speeding 30 mph or more over the posted limit as criminal speeding, a second-degree misdemeanor. This is not a civil traffic citation you can pay online. You face mandatory court appearance, potential jail time up to 60 days, fines up to $500, and 4 points on your license.

The criminal designation matters for insurance because carriers treat criminal traffic violations differently than civil infractions during underwriting. A criminal speeding conviction stays on your Florida driving record for 75 years under current DMV rules, though insurance lookback periods are shorter.

Most drivers charged with criminal speeding resolve the case through plea negotiation — prosecutors may reduce the charge to standard speeding (under 30 over) or reckless driving depending on prior record and circumstances. The reduced charge changes both the point value and the insurance surcharge. Under current state DMV point rules, standard speeding carries 3 or 4 points depending on speed, while reckless driving carries 4 points but signals higher risk to carriers.

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How 4 points affect your insurance rates in Florida

Florida assigns 4 points for speeding 15 mph or more over the limit. A criminal speeding conviction (31+ over) triggers the same 4-point assessment. The insurance surcharge depends on the carrier's violation tier schedule, not the DMV point total.

Typical rate increases for a first criminal speeding conviction range from 35% to 65% at renewal. A driver paying $140/month for full coverage would see rates rise to $190–$230/month. The surcharge persists for three years on most carriers' schedules, even though Florida removes points from the DMV record after 3 years from the conviction date.

Preferred carriers (GEICO, Progressive, State Farm) often decline renewal or non-renew policies at 6 points within 36 months. A second speeding ticket within three years pushes most drivers into the standard or non-standard market, where base rates run 40–80% higher than preferred-tier pricing. Carriers writing standard and non-standard auto in Florida include Progressive (standard tier), Direct Auto, Acceptance Insurance, and Bristol West.

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Court process and plea options for criminal speeding

You cannot prepay a criminal speeding citation. Florida law requires mandatory court appearance for all criminal traffic violations. Missing the court date results in a license suspension and a bench warrant.

Most criminal speeding cases resolve through negotiation before trial. Prosecutors evaluate speed (how far over 30 mph), prior record, and whether the violation occurred in a school or construction zone. A first-time offender clocked at 62 in a 30 mph zone has a stronger negotiation position than a driver with two prior speeding convictions clocked at 85 in a 55.

Common plea outcomes include: reduction to standard speeding (under 30 over) with 3–4 points and a civil fine, reduction to reckless driving with 4 points and higher fine, or conviction as charged with 4 points and potential probation. The reduced charge changes the violation code carriers see on your motor vehicle report. Standard speeding triggers a lower surcharge multiplier than criminal speeding or reckless driving at most carriers.

Hiring a traffic attorney costs $300–$1,500 in Florida depending on county and case complexity. The rate savings from a reduced charge often exceed attorney fees within the first year of the surcharge period.

Point accumulation and suspension thresholds in Florida

Florida suspends licenses at 12 points within 12 months (30-day suspension), 18 points within 18 months (3-month suspension), or 24 points within 36 months (1-year suspension). A single criminal speeding conviction adds 4 points — halfway to the 12-month threshold.

Points accumulate from the conviction date, not the citation date or arrest date. If you contest the charge and resolve it six months after the citation, the 12-month clock starts on the conviction date. This matters when calculating whether a second violation will push you over the suspension threshold.

Florida offers no point reduction through defensive driving for speeding violations. The state allows a basic driver improvement course to remove 3 points once every 12 months, but only for drivers with clean records in the prior year. A criminal speeding conviction disqualifies you from the election for 12 months from the conviction date. Points fall off automatically three years from conviction date, but the violation remains visible to carriers for five years under typical motor vehicle report lookback windows.

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See What Points Are Really Costing You

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Insurance shopping after a criminal speeding conviction

Your current carrier will surcharge the policy at renewal. Shopping competing carriers before renewal often produces lower final rates than staying and accepting the increase, because carriers weight violations differently in their underwriting models.

Preferred carriers quote selectively after a criminal speeding conviction. Progressive and GEICO typically quote drivers with one violation in three years, but decline at two violations or 6+ points. State Farm and Allstate vary by underwriting territory and prior tenure. If preferred carriers decline or quote above $200/month for liability-only coverage, the standard market becomes the realistic option.

Standard-tier carriers accessible in Florida include Progressive's standard division, Dairyland, and The General. Non-standard carriers include Direct Auto, Acceptance Insurance, Freeway Insurance, and Bristol West. Expect quoted rates 40–80% higher than preferred-tier pricing, with higher down payments (25–40% of six-month premium) and monthly payment fees.

Shop at renewal, not mid-term. Canceling a policy mid-term to switch carriers triggers a coverage lapse on your record, which adds a second surcharge layer. Florida requires continuous coverage proof at registration renewal — a lapse longer than 30 days triggers a $150 reinstatement fee and potential FR-44 filing requirement if combined with other violations.

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Rate recovery timeline after criminal speeding in Florida

The surcharge persists for three years from the conviction date on most carrier schedules. Year one carries the full surcharge (35–65% increase). Year two often sees a partial step-down (20–40% increase). Year three drops to a minor surcharge (10–20% increase) or clears entirely depending on the carrier's violation aging schedule.

Re-shopping at each annual renewal accelerates recovery. Carriers evaluate the violation age at quote time — a violation 13 months old receives a lower surcharge multiplier than one 6 months old. Moving from a standard carrier back to a preferred carrier typically requires 36 months from conviction date with no additional violations.

A second violation within three years resets the surcharge clock and often triggers declination from preferred carriers. Two speeding convictions in 24 months signal pattern risk to underwriters. Most carriers will not quote preferred-tier coverage until both violations age past 36 months. Under current state DMV point rules, two 4-point violations within 12 months totals 8 points — still below the 12-point suspension threshold, but enough to move most drivers into non-standard markets for 2–3 years.

Coverage adjustments when rates spike after a conviction

Dropping collision and comprehensive coverage on an older paid-off vehicle cuts premium by 40–60%, but leaves you paying out-of-pocket for vehicle damage. If your car is worth less than $5,000 and you can absorb a total-loss event, dropping physical damage coverage makes financial sense after a rate increase.

Raising deductibles from $500 to $1,000 reduces collision and comprehensive premiums by 15–25%. This works if you have $1,000 in accessible savings to cover the deductible after a claim. Avoid raising deductibles above your available cash reserves — carriers require the deductible paid before releasing claim payment.

Never drop liability coverage below state minimums to save money after a violation. Florida requires $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage. These limits are dangerously low — a single at-fault accident exceeding $20,000 in injuries leaves you personally liable for the excess. Underinsured motorist coverage becomes more important after a violation because you are one accident away from non-standard market pricing where coverage costs double.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does criminal speeding in Florida require SR-22 filing?

No, a criminal speeding conviction alone does not trigger SR-22 filing in Florida. SR-22 is required only after DUI conviction, driving without insurance conviction, or license suspension for points accumulation. If criminal speeding pushes you over the 12-point suspension threshold, you will need SR-22 to reinstate your license.

How long does a criminal speeding conviction stay on my Florida driving record?

The conviction remains on your Florida DMV record for 75 years, but insurance carriers typically review only the past 3–5 years of driving history when quoting rates. The 4 points drop off three years from the conviction date. The surcharge on your insurance policy typically lasts three years from conviction.

Can I take a defensive driving course to reduce points from criminal speeding in Florida?

No, Florida does not allow point reduction for speeding violations through defensive driving courses. The state's basic driver improvement election removes 3 points, but only for drivers with no violations in the prior 12 months. Criminal speeding disqualifies you from the election for one year from conviction date.

Will my insurance company find out about a criminal speeding charge if I resolve it in court?

Yes, your carrier will see the conviction on your motor vehicle report at renewal. Florida courts report all traffic convictions to the DMV within 30 days, and carriers pull updated motor vehicle reports at each renewal. The conviction appears regardless of whether you paid the fine, completed probation, or had the charge reduced through plea negotiation.

How much will my insurance increase after a criminal speeding conviction in Florida?

Typical rate increases range from 35% to 65% at your next renewal for a first criminal speeding conviction. A driver paying $140/month would see rates rise to $190–$230/month. The surcharge lasts three years on most carrier schedules. A second speeding conviction within three years often moves you into the non-standard market where base rates run 40–80% higher.