What drivers should know to avoid $100 tickets from Fla. school-zone speed cameras

The Florida Legislature authorized local governments to install speed cameras outside schools starting in 2024 — and the devices have been busy. Last year, cameras in Miami-Dade generated more than $2 million in violations each month.

What should drivers know to avoid getting a $100 speeding violation from one of those cameras? Here are five things to keep in mind:

You have to go slow even if no children are around

By law, the speed limit around a school is 15 mph during the times when students are supposed to be arriving or leaving for the day. After that, the speed limit reverts to the normal limit for that road or street. But the 15 mph window can be longer than some may realize.

The slower speed limit kicks in 30 minutes before a school’s arrival time. That includes any breakfast program that might be underway that day. The 15 mph limit remains in place 30 minutes after the school bell rings for the day. It resumes 30 minutes before a school’s dismissal time, and extends for another 30 minutes after dismissal. The result: even when class is in session and the entrance of a school looks empty, the slower speed limit can be in effect.

READ MORE: No flashing yellow lights? Cameras can still issue $100 tickets in school zones

The cameras operate throughout the school day

Under Florida law, the cameras can issue violations if a vehicle is moving more than 10 mph over the speed limit in place at that moment. While that’s 15 mph during the pick-up and drop-off windows, the cameras remain operational throughout the school day. At those times, violations are issued when a vehicle is moving 10 mph above the posted speed limit.

Flashing yellow lights don’t really matter

A common misconception about Florida’s school speed cameras is that if drivers don’t see yellow flashing lights ahead warning them of a school zone, they won’t get a violation. Not true. While the lights are often flashing to alert drivers that a school zone is ahead, that kind of warning is not required under Florida law.

Also, some schools don’t have any yellow flashing lights at all. They’re still allowed to have speed cameras.

The operating times for school speed cameras can be found online

When a police agency launches a school-zone speed camera, the hours the camera operates must be posted on a sign on that road. You can also usually find the hours online. Try searching for “school speed camera” and the jurisdiction.

Be sure to change the address on your car registration when you move

While a speeding violation from a camera only carries a $100 fine with no impact to someone’s driver license, the camera-generated paperwork can get serious if ignored or missed. If a mailed violation isn’t paid, it will get converted to a regular traffic citation in the court system. If that isn’t paid, a judge may suspend the driver’s license. Driving without a valid license can result in jail time.

Mark Gold, founder of the Ticket Clinic, said his offices often get clients who missed a speed-camera violation because the address on their car registration is outdated. His advice: be sure to change the address linked to both your license and license plates the moment you move.

This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 8:31 AM.