Title: In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Traffic Court – 2018 Regular-Cycle Report

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC18-18 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF TRAFFIC 
COURT.  
 
August 30, 2018 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
We have for consideration the regular-cycle report of proposed amendments 
to the Florida Rules of Traffic Court filed by The Florida Bar’s Traffic Court Rules 
Committee (Committee).  See Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.140(b)(4).  We have 
jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.  We adopt the majority of the 
amendments as proposed by the Committee, including the deletion of rule 6.580 
(Completion of Driver School; Conditions) as outdated.  However, as discussed 
herein, we decline to adopt most of the Committee’s proposed amendments to rule 
6.140 (Conduct of Trial), and adopt the proposed amendments to rule 6.200(b) 
(Pleas and Affidavits of Defense; Written Pleas of Guilty or Nolo Contendere) 
with modifications.   
 
 
 
- 2 - 
BACKGROUND 
 
The Committee proposes amendments to Florida Rules of Traffic Court 
6.010 (Scope); 6.020 (Purpose and Construction); 6.080 (Improper Disposition of 
Traffic Ticket); 6.090 (Direct and Indirect Criminal Contempt); 6.140 (Conduct of 
Trial); 6.180 (Sentencing Repeat Offenders); 6.190 (Procedure on Failure to 
Appear; Warrant; Notice); 6.200 (Pleas and Affidavits of Defense); 6.320 
(Complaint; Summons; Forms; Use); 6.330 (Election to Attend Traffic School); 
6.360 (Enlargement of Time); 6.455 (Amendments); 6.490 (Correction and 
Reduction of Penalty); 6.500 (Pronouncement and Entry of Penalty; Penalizing 
Official); 6.510 (Determination that Infraction was not Committed; Bond 
Refunded); 6.520 (Effect of Granting New Hearing); 6.530 (Imposition of Penalty 
Before or After Motion Filed); 6.550 (Official May Grant New Hearing); 6.560 
(Conviction of Traffic Infraction); 6.570 (Reporting Action Requiring Suspension 
of Driver License); 6.575 (Retention of Case Files); 6.580 (Completion of Driver 
School; Conditions); 6.590 (Failure to Complete Driver School; Reinstatement of 
Driver License); 6.600 (Failure to Appear or Pay Civil Penalty; Reinstatement of 
Driver License); 6.610 (Failure to Fulfill Penalty Imposed After a Hearing; 
Reinstatement of Driver License); 6.620 (Failure to Appear for Mandatory 
Hearing; Reinstatement of Driver License); and 6.630 (Civil Traffic Infraction 
Hearing Officer Program; Traffic Hearing Officers).   
 
 
- 3 - 
Consistent with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.140(b)(2), the 
Committee published the proposals for comment before filing them with the Court.  
The Committee received comments, made responsive amendments to its proposals, 
and republished the proposals for comment.  The proposals were approved 
unanimously by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar and by a majority of 
the Committee.  The Court also published the proposals for comment and received 
two comments.  One comment was from Civil Traffic Hearing Officers Steven D. 
Rubin and Sarah Blumberg opposing a number of the Committee’s proposals and 
proposing alternative amendments to several of the rules.  The other comment was 
from the Florida Public Defender Association (FPDA) in support of the 
Committee’s proposed amendment to rule 6.490(b)(1) (Correction and Reduction 
of Penalty; Reduction of Penalty).  The Committee filed a response addressing the 
comments and declining to make any revisions to its proposals.  
AMENDMENTS 
 
After considering the proposed amendments, the comments filed, and the 
Committee’s response to the comments, we adopt all of the proposed amendments, 
except the Committee’s proposed amendment to the text of rule 6.140 (Conduct of 
Trial).  We discuss only the proposed amendments to rule 6.140, most of which we 
decline to adopt, rule 6.200(b) (Pleas and Affidavits of Defense; Written Pleas of 
 
 
- 4 - 
Guilty or Nolo Contendere), which we adopt as modified herein, and rule 6.330(b) 
(Election to Attend Traffic School).   
Rule 6.140 (Conduct of Trial) provides that “[a]ll trials and hearings shall be 
held in open court and shall be conducted in an orderly manner according to law 
and applicable rules.”  The rule also provides that “[a]ll proceedings for the trial of 
traffic cases shall be held in a place suitable for the purpose.”  The Committee 
proposes rephrasing rule 6.140 to provide that “[w]hen necessary, traffic 
proceedings may be held in a place suitable for the purpose.”  The Committee 
explains that its proposed amendment to the rule is for clarity and to allow 
flexibility to hold hearings outside of a courtroom when necessary.  However, the 
rule does not currently limit traffic proceedings to a courtroom.  Rather, the rule 
requires that traffic proceedings be held in a “place suitable for the purpose,” 
which may be a place other than a courtroom, when necessary.  Accordingly, we 
find that no amendment to the text of rule 6.140 is necessary and decline to adopt 
that proposed amendment.  However, we adopt the Committee’s proposal to 
rename the rule 6.140 “Committee Comments” as “Committee Notes.”  
Rule 6.200(b) (Pleas and Affidavits of Defense; Written Pleas of Guilty or 
Nolo Contendere) provides in pertinent part that, subject to the approval of the 
court, written pleas of guilty or nolo contendere may be entered in criminal traffic 
offenses that are not designated felonies and defendants may be sentenced based 
 
 
- 5 - 
on those pleas.  The Committee proposes amending the rule to remove “outdated 
language” and to improve clarity for the reader.  We adopt amendments to rule 
6.200(b) with the modifications suggested by commenters, Civil Traffic Hearing 
Officers Steven D. Rubin and Sarah Blumberg.  As amended, the rule will clearly 
reflect the proper sequence of events in criminal traffic offense proceedings.   
Rule 6.330(b) provides that a “defendant who is sentenced to or elects to 
attend a driver improvement school shall have the right to attend an approved 
school in the location of the defendant’s choice.”  Importantly, the Committee 
proposes adding the following phrase to the end of the above sentence: “including 
the internet when the elected or court-ordered driver improvement course is 
provided online.”  The commenters, Civil Traffic Hearing Officers Steven D. 
Rubin and Sarah Blumberg, expressed concern with the additional provision, 
explaining that it could limit the court’s sentencing discretion.  We thank the 
commenters for their thoughtful comments; however, we defer to the Committee, 
which was overwhelmingly in favor of the amendments, and adopt the 
amendments to the rule as proposed. 
CONCLUSION 
 
Accordingly, we amend the Florida Rules of Traffic Court as reflected in the 
appendix to this opinion.  New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are 
indicated by struck-through type.  The committee notes are offered for explanation 
 
 
- 6 - 
only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules.  The amendments shall 
become effective January 1, 2019, at 12:01 a.m. 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and LAWSON, JJ., concur.  
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.  
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Traffic Court 
 
Anne Marie Gennusa, Chair, St. Augustine, Florida, Sergio Cruz, Past Chair, 
Traffic Court Rules Committee, Orlando, Florida, Joshua E. Doyle, Executive 
Director, and Heather Savage Telfer, Staff Liaison, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, 
Florida,  
 
for Petitioner 
 
Carlos J. Martinez, Public Defender, and John Eddy Morrison, Assistant Public 
Defender, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami, Florida; and Steven D. Rubin, Boca 
Raton, Florida, and Sara Blumberg, Delray Beach, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with Comments 
 
 
 
- 7 - 
APPENDIX 
RULE 6.010. 
SCOPE  
(a) 
Application. These rules, cited as “Florida Rules of Traffic Court” 
and abbreviated as “Fla. R. Traf. Ct.,” shall take effect at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 
1975. These rules govern practice and procedure in any traffic case and specifically 
apply to practice and procedure in county courts and before civil traffic infraction 
hearing officers.  
(b) 
Part III. The rules under Part III of these rules apply to all criminal 
traffic offenses, whether prosecuted in the name of the state or any subdivision of 
it.  
(c) 
[No change]  
Committee Notes  
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.020. 
PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION 
These rules shall be construed to secure simplicity and uniformity in 
procedure, fairness in administration, and the elimination of unnecessary expense 
and delay.  
 
RULE 6.080. 
IMPROPER DISPOSITION OF TRAFFIC TICKET 
Any person who solicits or aids in the disposition of a traffic complaint or 
summons in any manner other than that authorized by the courtlaw or who 
willfully violates any provision of these rules shall be proceeded against for 
criminal contempt (in the manner provided in these rules). However, a traffic 
hearing officer shall not have the power to hold any person in contempt of court, 
but shall be permitted to file a verified motion for order of contempt before any 
state trial court judge of the same county in which the alleged contempt occurred. 
 
 
- 8 - 
Such matter shall be handled as an indirect contempt of court pursuant to the 
provisions of Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.840.  
Committee Notes 
 [No change] 
 
RULE 6.090. 
DIRECT AND INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT 
Direct and indirect criminal contempt shall be proceeded upon in the same 
manner as in the Florida Rules of Criminal Rules of Procedure. 
Committee CommentsNotes 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.140. 
CONDUCT OF TRIAL 
[No change]  
Committee CommentsNotes 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.180. 
SENTENCING REPEAT OFFENDERS 
(a) 
Defendant’s Rights. A defendant, alleged to have a prior conviction 
for a criminal traffic offense, shall have athe right to remain silent concerning any 
prior conviction at the time of plea or sentence. 
(b) – (c) 
[No change]  
Committee Notes 
1988 Adoption. Rule 6.180 is new and is designed to codify existing 
procedures in DUI cases. The rule sets forth what has become known as a “Meehan 
plea.” Meehan v. State, 397 So. 2d 1214 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981). 
 
 
- 9 - 
1992 Amendment. [No change]  
 
RULE 6.190. 
PROCEDURE ON FAILURE TO APPEAR; 
WARRANT; NOTICE 
(a)-(b) 
[No change]  
(c) 
Nonresident of State; Failure to Appear or Answer Summons. If a 
defendant is not a resident of this state and fails to appear or answer a traffic 
complaint, the clerk of the court or the court shall send notice to the defendant at 
the address stated in the complaint and to the department. The department shall 
send notice to the license issuing agency in the defendant’s home state. If the 
defendant fails to appear or answer within 30 days after notice is sent to the 
defendant, the court shall place the case in an inactive file or file of cases disposed 
of, subject to being reopened if thereafter the defendant appears or answers or a 
warrant is issued and served. 
(d) 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.200. 
PLEAS AND AFFIDAVITS OF DEFENSE 
(a) 
[No change]  
(b) 
Written Pleas of Guilty or Nolo Contendere. Subject to the 
approval of the court, written pleas of guilty or nolo contendere may be entered in 
criminal traffic offenses not designated felonies under the laws of the state, and 
sentence imposed thereon. 
(c) 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.320. 
COMPLAINT; SUMMONS; FORMS; USE 
All citations for traffic infractions shall be by uniform traffic citation as 
provided in section 316.650, Florida Statutes, or other applicable statutes or by 
 
 
- 10 - 
affidavit. If the complaint is made by affidavit a uniform traffic citation shall be 
prepared by the clerk and submitted to the department.  
 
RULE 6.330. 
ELECTION TO ATTEND TRAFFIC SCHOOLA DRIVER 
IMPROVEMENT COURSE 
(a) 
Attendance at Schoola Driver Improvement Course. Unless a 
mandatory hearing is required, or the defendant appears at a hearing before an 
official, a defendant who does not hold a commercial driver license or commercial 
learner permit may elect to attend a driver improvement schoolcourse pursuant to 
section 318.14(9), Florida Statutes, within 30 days of receiving a citation or, if a 
hearing was requested, at any time before trial. Attendance at a driver 
improvement school shall not operate to waive the law enforcement education 
assessments under section 943.25, Florida Statutes. APursuant to this rule, any 
defendant electing to attend a driver improvement schoolcourse under section 
318.14(9), Florida Statutes, will receive a withheldhave adjudication withheld and 
not be assessed points. 
(b) 
Location of SchoolCourse. A defendant who is sentenced to or elects 
to attend a driver improvement schoolcourse shall have the right to attend an 
approved schoolcourse in the location of the defendant’s choice, including the 
internet when the elected or court-ordered driver improvement course is provided 
online. 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
 
 
- 11 - 
RULE 6.360. 
ENLARGEMENT OF TIME 
(a) 
Procedure. When by these rules or by a notice given thereunder or by 
order of an official an act is required, or allowed to be done at or within a specified 
time pursuant to either a court order or these rules, the official, for good cause 
shown, at any time, in the official’s discretion may, at any time: 
(1) 
order the period enlarged if the request therefor is made before 
the expiration of the period originally prescribed or as extended by a previous 
order; or 
(2) 
[No change] 
(b) 
[No change] 
 
RULE 6.455. 
AMENDMENTS 
(a) 
Non-Substantive Amendments. The charging document may be 
amended at any time by the issuing officer in open court at the time of a scheduled 
hearing before it commences, subject to the approval of the official. The official 
shall grant a continuance if the amendment requires one in the interests of 
justice.prior to the commencement of the hearing to correct informalities or 
irregularities. Such amendment will be permitted after commencement of the 
hearing only with approval of the official. No case shallwill be dismissed by reason 
of any informality or irregularity in the charging instrumentdocument. 
(b) 
Substantive Amendments. Absent good cause shown, an amendment 
that may result in an increased statutory penalty may be made only by serving 
notice of the amendment on the defendant in conformity with the requirements of 
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 and by filing a certification of 
service at least 5 days prior to a scheduled hearing.  
(c) 
Continuances. The official must grant a hearing continuance when 
the charging document is amended and the interests of justice so require. 
Committee Notes 
 
 
- 12 - 
1988 Amendment. [No change] 
2018 Amendment. Examples of “informalities or irregularities” include, but 
are not limited to, statutory reference errors; illegibility of the charging document; 
or other scrivener or inadvertent errors contained within the charging document.  
 
RULE 6.490. 
CORRECTION AND REDUCTION OF PENALTY 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Reduction of Penalty. An official may reduce a legal penalty:  
(1) 
within 60 days after its imposition, or thereafter with good 
cause shown; 
(2) 
within 60 days after receipt by the official of a mandate issued 
by the appellate court upon affirmance of the judgment and/or penalty on an 
original appealthe appellate court issues a mandate affirming the judgment and/or 
penalty; 
(3) 
within 60 days after receipt by the official of a certified copy of 
an order of the appellate court dismissing an original appeal from the judgment 
and/or penaltythe appellate court issues a mandate dismissing an appeal from the 
judgment and/or penalty; or 
(4) 
[No change] 
 
 
 
 
- 13 - 
RULE 6.500. 
PRONOUNCEMENT AND ENTRY OF PENALTY; 
PENALIZING OFFICIALDISPOSITION 
(a) 
Entry of Penalty. The finalUpon disposition of everya case without 
hearing, the clerk or the official shall be entered in the minutes in courts in which 
minutes are kept, and shall be docketed in courts which do not maintain 
minutesenter a notation on the docket. 
(b) 
Pronouncement of Penalty; Obligations of Penalizing Official. In 
those cases in which it is necessary that the penalty be Following any hearing of a 
case, the disposition shall be pronounced by an official other than the official who 
presided at the hearing, or accepted an admission, the penalizing official shall not 
impose a penalty without first becoming acquainted with what transpired at the 
hearing or the facts concerning the admission and the infractionin open court and 
issued in writing, and shall also be docketed.  
 
RULE 6.510. 
DETERMINATION THAT INFRACTION WAS NOT 
COMMITTED; BOND REFUNDED 
When it is determinedIf an official determines that athe defendant did not 
commit an alleged traffic infraction and a bond has been posted, the money or 
bond shall be refundedreleased to the defendant, pursuant to law.  
 
RULE 6.520. 
EFFECT OF GRANTING NEW HEARING 
WhenIf a new hearing is granted, the new hearingcase shall proceed in all 
respects as if no former trialhearing had been hadheld.  
 
RULE 6.530. 
IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BEFORE OR AFTER 
MOTION FILED 
The official has the discretion tomay impose the civil penalty either before 
or after the filing of a motion for new hearing or arrest of judgment.  
 
 
- 14 - 
RULE 6.550. 
OFFICIAL MAY GRANT NEW HEARING 
When, followingafter a hearing, a determination has been made thatthe 
official determines the traffic infraction was committed, the official may grant a 
new hearing on a motion of the defendant, or on the official’s own motion, may 
grant a new hearing.  
 
RULE 6.560. 
CONVICTION OF TRAFFIC INFRACTION 
An admission or determination that a defendant has committed a traffic 
infraction shall constitute a conviction as that term is used in chapter 322, Florida 
Statutes, and section 943.25, Florida Statutes, unless adjudication is withheld by an 
official in those cases in which withholding of adjudication is not otherwise 
prohibited by statute or rule of procedure. Elections under section 318.14(9) or 
(10), Florida Statutes, when adjudication is withheld, shall not constitute 
convictions, but shall involve the collections of assessments pursuant to section 
943.25, Florida Statutes.A defendant’s admission or an official’s determination 
that the defendant committed a traffic infraction constitutes a “conviction” as that 
term is used in chapters 318 and 322, Florida Statutes, and section 943.25, Florida 
Statutes, unless the official withheld adjudication as permitted by law. Elections 
under section 318.14(9) or (10), Florida Statutes, when adjudication is withheld, do 
not constitute convictions, but require collection of assessments under section 
943.25, Florida Statutes.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 15 - 
RULE 6.570. 
REPORTING ACTION REQUIRING SUSPENSION OF 
DRIVER LICENSE 
Any noncompliance with the provisions of chapter 318, Florida Statutes, 
resulting in the suspension of a driver license shall be reported to the department 
within 5 days after an offender’s failure to comply on a form to be supplied by the 
department. Any noncompliance may be determined without the necessity of 
holding a hearing.The clerk shall report to the department a defendant’s failure to 
comply as required by section 318.15 or 322.245, Florida Statutes. Unless required 
by law, a hearing is not necessary to determine noncompliance.  
 
RULE 6.575. 
RETENTION OF CASE FILES 
For the purpose of record retention pursuant to the General Records 
Schedule D-T 1, case files with an outstanding or unsatisfied D-6 shall be 
considered disposed of 7 years after the submission of the D-6 by the clerk to the 
department. If the clerk disposes of a file, the department shall be notified.Case 
files shall be retained as required by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.430. 
Committee Notes 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.580. 
COMPLETION OF DRIVER SCHOOL; CONDITIONS 
(a) 
Approval by Chief Judge. All driver schools selected by the chief 
judge of the circuit shall establish the conditions for the successful completion of 
the driver course. The conditions shall be submitted in writing for approval of the 
chief judge. 
(b) 
Failure to Meet Conditions; Reporting. Any failure to meet the 
conditions for successful completion of the course shall be reported to the official 
having jurisdiction of the case or the clerk or traffic violations bureau if designated 
by the official of the school.  
 
 
- 16 - 
RULE 6.590.  
FAILURE TO COMPLETE DRIVER  
SCHOOLIMPROVEMENT COURSE; 
REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER LICENSE 
 
(a) 
Notice of Failure to Complete Driver Improvement Course. In any 
case in whichIf a defendant elects to attend a driver schoolimprovement course but 
fails to appear for or timely complete the course, the clerk must send a notice of the 
failure to complete the course shall be sent to the department within 510 days after 
the failure to comply, in order to comply with the requirements ofas required by 
section 318.15(1), Florida Statutes. 
(b) 
Appearance After Notice Sent. If the defendant appears before the 
clerk after the failure notice has beenwas sent but before the department has 
suspendedsuspends the driver license, the clerk shall so notify the department shall 
be notified on a form to be supplied by the department immediately after the 
defendant satisfies the civil penalty as provided inrequired by section 
318.18318.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes, has been fulfilled. The clerk shall refer the 
case to the official who shall adjudicate the defendant guilty of the infraction as 
required by section 318.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes. 
(c) 
Reinstatement of License. If the defendant appears before the clerk 
after the department suspends the driver license has been suspended, the defendant 
must fulfill the, the clerk shall refer the case to the official who shall adjudicate the 
defendant guilty of the infraction, and shall assess all applicable civil penalties as 
required bypenalty as provided in section 318.18318.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes, 
and. The official may be required to agree againrequire the defendant to attend a 
driver schoolimprovement course. The defendant shall be given a form supplied by 
the department, certified by the official, to be taken to the nearest driver license 
examining station to have the driving privilege reinstated.The clerk shall give 
notice that the defendant is in compliance upon satisfaction of the penalties, and 
shall indicate that the defendant’s driving privileges are eligible for reinstatement. 
Committee Note 
 
 
- 17 - 
2018 Amendment. Section 318.15(1)(b), Florida Statutes, requires 
adjudication of guilt for a defendant who elects a driver improvement course and 
fails to attend the course within the time required by the court.  
 
RULE 6.600. 
FAILURE TO APPEAR OR PAY CIVIL PENALTY; 
REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER LICENSE 
(a) 
Notice of Failure to ComplyAppear or Pay. In any case in whichIf 
no mandatory hearing is required and the defendant has signed and accepted a 
citationbeen cited but fails to pay the civil penalty or appear, the clerk must send 
the department notice of such failure shall be sent to the department within 5 days 
after the failure to comply, in order to comply with the requirements ofas required 
by section 318.15(1), Florida Statutes. 
(b) 
Appearance After Notice Sent. If the defendant appears before the 
clerk after the notice has beenwas sent but before the department has 
suspendedsuspends the driver license, the defendant may pay the civil penalty may 
be paid without a hearingtogether with any additional penalty required by section 
318.18(8)(a), Florida Statutes, or the defendant may request a hearing. If the 
defendant requests a hearing, the clerk mustshall set the case for hearing upon 
payment of the costs specified in section 318.18(8)(a), Florida Statutes. The 
department must be notified immediately on a form to be supplied by the 
department. 
(c) 
Reinstatement of License. If the defendant appears before the clerk 
after the department suspends the driver license has been suspended, the defendant 
may pay the civil penalty, elect to attend a driver improvement school, together 
with any additional penalty required by section 318.18(8)(a), Florida Statutes, or 
request a hearing. Any request for a hearing shallmust be made within a reasonable 
period of time after the commission of the alleged offenseas provided by section 
318.15(1)(c), Florida Statutes. If an election to attendthe official grants the 
defendant’s request for a hearing is granted and it is determineddetermines that the 
defendant committed the infraction was committed, the defendant shall be subject 
to the penalty provisions of section 318.14(5), Florida Statutes. The defendant shall 
 
 
- 18 - 
be given a form supplied by the department, certified by the official, to be taken to 
the nearest driver license examining station to have the driving privilege reinstated. 
Committee Notes 
[No change]  
 
RULE 6.610. 
FAILURE TO FULFILLSATISFY PENALTY IMPOSED 
AFTER A HEARING; REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER 
LICENSE 
(a) 
Notice of Failure to Comply. In any case in whichIf a hearing is 
held, if it is determinedand the official determines that the infraction was 
committed, and a penalty is imposed but the penalty is not fulfilled,satisfied within 
the time set by the court, the clerk shall send notice of such failure shall be sent to 
the department within 5 days after the failure to comply, in order to comply with 
the requirements ofas required by section 318.15(1), Florida Statutes. 
(b) 
Appearance After Notice Sent. If the defendant appears before the 
clerk after notice has beenwas sent but before the department has 
suspendedsuspends the driver license, the clerk shall notify the department shall be 
notified on a form to be supplied by the departmentimmediately after the defendant 
satisfies the penalty imposed has been fulfilledby the official together with 
additional penalties as required by sections 318.15 and 318.18, Florida Statutes. 
(c) 
Reinstatement of License. If the defendant appears before the clerk 
after the department suspends the driver license has been suspended, the defendant 
must fulfillsatisfy the penalty and any other penalties required by sections 318.15 
and 318.18, Florida Statutes. The official may require the defendant to attend a 
driver improvement course, if available, if it iswas not a part of the penalty 
originally imposed., may be required to agree to attend a driver school if available. 
The defendant shall be given a form supplied by the department, certified by the 
official, to be taken to the nearest driver license examining station to have the 
driving privilege reinstated. The clerk shall give notice that the defendant is in 
 
 
- 19 - 
compliance upon satisfaction of the penalties, and shall indicate that the 
defendant’s driving privileges are eligible for reinstatement.  
 
RULE 6.620. 
FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR MANDATORY HEARING; 
REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER LICENSE 
(a) 
Notice of Failure to Appear. In any case in which a mandatory 
hearing is required and theIf a defendant fails to appear, for a mandatory hearing, 
the clerk shall send notice of such failure to appear shall be sent to the department 
within 5 days after the failure to comply, in order to comply with the requirements 
of, as required by section 318.15(1), Florida Statutes. 
(b) 
Appearance After Notice Sent. If the defendant appears before the 
clerk after notice has beenwas sent, but before the department suspends the driver 
license, the clerk shall be notified immediately on a form to be supplied by the 
department and a hearing shall be held to determine whether the infraction was 
committedschedule a hearing for the official to determine whether the defendant 
committed the violation. If, after the hearing, the official finds the defendant 
committed the violation, the defendant shall be subject to the penalty provisions of 
section 318.14(5), Florida Statutes. 
(c) 
Reinstatement of License. If the department suspended the 
defendant’s driver license, as authorized by law and upon request, the clerk shall 
set the case for hearing has been suspended by the department and, if after a 
hearing, it is found that the infraction was committed, the official may require that 
driver school, if available, be attended as part of the penalty. The defendant shall 
be given a form supplied by the department, certified by the official, to be taken to 
the nearest driver license examining station to have the driving privilege 
reinstatedthe official finds the defendant committed the violation, the defendant 
shall be subject to the penalty provisions of section 318.14(5), Florida Statutes. If 
the defendant’s driving privileges were not reinstated prior to the hearing, the clerk 
shall give notice that the defendant is in compliance upon satisfaction of the 
penalties, and shall indicate that the defendant’s driving privileges are eligible for 
reinstatement. 
 
 
- 20 - 
RULE 6.630. 
CIVIL TRAFFIC INFRACTION HEARING OFFICER 
PROGRAM; TRAFFIC HEARING OFFICERS 
Under the authority of sections 318.30–318.38, Florida Statutes, and article 
V, section 2, Florida Constitution, this court adopts the following rules and 
procedure for the Civil Traffic Infraction Hearing Officer Program: 
(a) 
Eligibility of County. Pursuant to section 318.30, Florida Statutes, 
any county shall be eligible to participate in the Civil Traffic Infraction Hearing 
Officer Program. The chief judge shall make the decision on whether to participate 
in the program. Any county electing to participate in the program shall be subject 
to the supervision of the supreme court. 
(b) 
Participation. Any county electing to participate in the program shall 
be subject to the supervision of the Florida Supreme Court. The decision on 
whether to participate shall be made by the chief judge. 
(cb) Appointment of Traffic Hearing Officers. The appointment of such 
chief judge shall appoint hearing officers shall be made by the chief judge, after 
consultation with the county judges in the county affected, and shall; all 
appointments must be approved by the chief justice. Once the chief justice grants 
approval has been granted by the chief justice, the traffic hearing officers shall 
serve at the willpleasure of the chief judge. Traffic hearing officers may serve 
either full-time or part-time at the discretion of the chief judge. 
(dc) Jurisdiction. Traffic hearing officers shall have the power to accept 
pleas from defendants, hear and rule upon motions, decide whether a defendant has 
committed an infraction, and adjudicate or withhold adjudication in the same 
manner as a county court judge. However, a traffic hearing officer shall not: 
(1)-(3) 
[No change]  
(ed) Appeals. Appeals from decisions of a traffic hearing officer shall be 
made to the circuit court pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Florida Rules of 
Appellate Procedure in the same manner as appeals from the county court, except 
that traffic hearing officers shall not have the power to certify questions to district 
 
 
- 21 - 
courts of appeal. The appellant shall be responsible for producing the record for 
suchany appeal. 
(fe) 
Membership in The Florida Bar. A traffic hearing officer shall be a 
member in good standing of The Florida Bar. 
(gf) 
Training. Traffic hearing officers must complete 40 hours of 
standardized training that has been approved by the supreme court. Instructors 
must be judges, hearing officers, and persons with expertise or knowledge with 
regard to specific traffic violations or traffic court. Curriculum and materials must 
be submitted to the Office of the State Courts Administrator. The standardized 
training must contain, at a minimum, all of the following: 
(1)-(5) 
[No change]  
(hg) Continuing Legal Education. Traffic hearing officers must complete 
4 hours of continuing legal education per year. The continuing legal education 
program must be approved by the supreme court and must contain a minimum of 2 
hours of ethics or professionalism, and 2 hours of civil traffic infraction related 
education. Curriculum materials must be submitted to the Office of the State 
Courts Administrator. 
(i) 
Hours. Traffic hearing officers may serve either full time or part time 
at the discretion of the chief judge. 
(jh) Code of Judicial Conduct. All traffic hearing officers shall be 
subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct as provided in the application section of 
the code. 
(k) 
Implementation of Program. In any county electing to establish a 
program, the chief judge shall develop a plan for its implementation and shall 
submit the plan to the Office of the State Courts Administrator. Funds for the 
program shall be used for traffic hearing officer program salaries and other 
necessary expenses, such as training, office rental, furniture, and administrative 
staff salaries. Any county electing to establish a traffic hearing officer program 
shall provide the funds necessary to operate the program. 
 
 
- 22 - 
(li) 
Robes. Traffic hearing officers shall not wear robes. 
(mj) Concurrent Jurisdiction. A county judge may exercise concurrent 
jurisdiction with a traffic hearing officer. 
(nk) Assignment to County Judge. On written request of the defendant, 
within 30 days of the issuance of a uniform traffic citation, the case shall be 
assigned to a county judge. 
Committee Notes 
[No change]