Updated May 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Florida
Florida courts place Failure-to-Appear holds directly on your driving record when you miss a scheduled appearance for a traffic citation. The hold remains until the court notifies the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that you've resolved the underlying matter. Florida often issues a bench warrant alongside the FTA hold for misdemeanor citations—meaning arrest is possible if you're stopped again before clearing the warrant.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Florida?
Florida's cost to reinstate after an FTA hold includes court fees, reinstatement fees, and insurance costs if SR-22 is required. The total varies sharply depending on whether a bench warrant was issued, whether the underlying citation was insurance-related, and whether you need to post bond before appearing in court.
What Affects Your Rate
- Florida counties with higher warrant volumes (Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough) process FTA clearances faster but often require in-person bond posting before you can see a judge.
- If your FTA was for a parking or non-moving violation, Florida does not issue a bench warrant—only an administrative hold—and you can usually resolve by mail or online payment.
- Drivers whose FTA suspension stacks with a separate unpaid-fines suspension face compounded reinstatement fees—each suspension type carries its own $45 fee in Florida.
- Florida courts charge a separate $20–$60 administrative fee for recalling a bench warrant, paid at the time of your appearance and not included in the base reinstatement fee.
- SR-22 filing fees in Florida are typically $25–$50 per year on top of your policy premium, and the filing must remain continuous for the full 3-year period or your license suspends again.
- If you moved to Florida from another state with an active FTA hold, Florida will not issue or transfer a license until the out-of-state hold is cleared—reinstatement must happen in the originating state first.
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Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Post-FTA Reinstatement Insurance
Standard liability insurance to meet Florida's minimum requirements after your FTA hold is lifted and your license is reinstated. You need proof of insurance to complete reinstatement if your underlying citation was insurance-related.
SR-22 Insurance After No-Insurance Citation
High-risk filing required if your FTA was for driving without insurance or driving with a suspended license. The SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the Florida DHSMV proving you carry at least minimum liability and PIP coverage.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Coverage from carriers that specialize in drivers with suspensions, violations, or complex reinstatement histories. Non-standard policies cost more but are often the only option immediately after an FTA-related suspension.
Florida PIP Coverage
Personal Injury Protection is mandatory in Florida and pays your medical bills after an accident regardless of fault. The state minimum is $10,000, which covers less than one night in a Florida hospital for serious injuries.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Optional coverage that pays your medical bills and vehicle damage if you're hit by a driver with no insurance. Florida does not require UM coverage, but 20% of Florida drivers are uninsured—one of the highest rates in the country.
Find Your City in Florida
Sources
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — suspension and reinstatement procedures
- Florida Statutes Chapter 318 — disposition of traffic infractions
- Florida Clerks of Court — FTA hold processing guidelines