Wondering how to dismiss a traffic citation without fighting in court? If you got a ticket in Florida, you can take a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course to keep the ticket off your record and pay a lower fine. Also referred to as traffic school, this program takes just four hours and could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Here’s everything you need to know about traffic school in Florida, from registration and eligibility to course types, topics, and what to expect after completion.
What Is Florida Traffic School?
Traffic school is a training program aimed at reinforcing good driving habits. Under Florida Statute §318.14, drivers cited for certain moving infractions can choose this option within 30 days from the citation date.
Completing the course on time prevents points from being added to your driving record, helping you avoid insurance rate increases. Taking the course will also reduce our fine by 9%.
The curriculum covers defensive driving techniques, traffic laws, crash prevention, and related topics. You’ll also learn how to drive safely in bad weather, why alcohol and driving don’t mix, and how distractions can affect your reaction time and decision-making. The goal is to help you recognize and address risky habits while improving your skills behind the wheel.
Florida Traffic School Eligibility
Not all drivers can take a Florida traffic school for ticket dismissal. To qualify, it’s necessary to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a noncommercial Florida driver’s license
- Have not attended traffic school for ticket dismissal in the past year or five to eight times in a lifetime (depending on the county).
- Pay the civil penalty (fine) within 30 days from the citation date.
- Be cited for a moving infraction, such as failure to yield or texting while driving.
- Not be charged with speeding 30 mph or more over the posted limit.
Each county has its own rules for traffic school eligibility, completion deadlines, and qualifying offenses, so be sure to check with the Clerk of Court where your citation was issued.
Who Should Take a Basic Driver Improvement Course?
Generally, there are three main reasons to take the BDI course, depending on your circumstances. These include:
- Ticket dismissal: If you’re found guilty of a noncriminal traffic violation, you may attend traffic school voluntarily to keep the ticket off your driving record.
- Lower insurance rates: If you complete traffic school to keep a ticket off your record, it’ll keep your insurance from going up. But some auto insurers offer discounts of up to 15% for completing a state-approved BDI course at any time. Check with your provider, and if eligible, submit your completion certificate once you finish the program.
- Legal compliance: Florida law mandates that Florida traffic school be completed within 90 days from the citation date if you:
- Caused a crash involving bodily injury.
- Were at fault in two crashes within 24 months, each causing more than $500 in property damage.
- Were involved in three at-fault crashes within 36 months.
- Were convicted of running a red light, failing to stop for a school bus, reckless driving, or other serious traffic offenses, such as street racing.
Florida drivers convicted of these offenses must complete the course even if the violation occurred in another state.
Types of Florida Traffic School Courses
Florida traffic schools offer several driver improvement courses, each designed for specific situations. The program you must complete depends on your driving history and the charges against you.
Listed below are four of the most common options:
4-Hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI)
Take the BDI course to dismiss a ticket, reduce insurance costs, or satisfy a court or FLHSMV requirement. It lasts four hours and can be completed online or in person.
Its format varies by provider, but generally, students must go through several modules and pass a test. For instance, our Florida traffic school course consists of eight lessons followed by quizzes and a 40-question final exam that you can retake as many times as you need to.
8-Hour Intermediate Driver Improvement (IDI)
This is a court-ordered course for repeat traffic offenders. For example, drivers convicted of multiple speeding violations within a short period may have to complete this program to avoid harsher penalties.
A similar option is the Aggressive Driver Improvement course, an eight-hour program designed to address high-risk driving behaviors, such as road rage. Its goal is to help participants understand the consequences of their actions and develop a safer, more responsible attitude behind the wheel.
12-Hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI)
Florida courts may require drivers involved in three at-fault crashes within 36 months to take a 12-hour course. You may also need to enroll if your license has been suspended or revoked due to excessive points.
The ADI program focuses on responsibility, decision-making, and strategies to prevent repeat offenses. If you’re required to complete it after causing three crashes within 36 months, you must also book four hours of behind-the-wheel training and pass a road test.
4-Hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE)
The four-hour Florida TLSAE course is mandatory for first-time driver’s license applicants aged 18 and older. It covers the impact of alcohol and drugs on driving ability, reinforcing the importance of staying sober behind the wheel to keep yourself and others safe.
You can complete any of these courses online at your own pace—just be sure to choose a state-approved provider.
How to Take Traffic School Online in Florida
Enrolling in traffic school is quite straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- Review your citation: Check the back of your ticket to see whether you’re eligible to attend traffic school. If you’re required to take a BDI course to satisfy a court or FLHSMV order, pay the fine and skip ahead to Step 4.
- Contact the court: If you choose to attend traffic school for ticket dismissal, contact the clerk of the court in charge of your case. Let them know of your intention and confirm your eligibility.
- Complete payment: Pay the fine along with an election fee within 30 days from the citation date. If the course is ordered by the court or FLHSMV, you won’t have to pay the election fee.
- Find a state-approved BDI course: Search online for an FLHSMV-accredited traffic school. To save time, sign up with Traffic Safety Institute. Our online course is approved for statewide traffic violations and accepted by all courts in Palm Beach County.
- Complete the program: Work through all lessons, then take the final exam to earn your completion certificate. 99% of our students pass on the first try, but if you don’t, you can retake the test at no extra charge.
- Report course completion: Wait to receive your certificate of completion, then submit it to the court and/or the FLHSMV.
Depending on the county, you’ll have 60 to 90 days from the citation date to finish the course and submit proof of completion. Some counties allow up to 120 days, so be sure to double-check with the court that issued your ticket.
If you’re attending traffic school to fulfill a court or FLHSMV order, you must finish within 90 days of the citation date. Missing the deadline may result in license suspension, even for traffic infractions like running a stop sign or passing a school bus.
How to Find an Approved Traffic School Provider
Whether you want to keep points off your record or fulfill a court order, you must choose a course approved by the FLHSMV. Otherwise, your completion certificate will not be accepted.
Here’s how to find an accredited traffic school in Florida:
- Browse the FLHSMV’s list of approved BDI course providers.
- Visit their websites to check the course format (online vs. in person), pricing, features, registration steps, and other details.
- Contact the schools you’re considering to confirm their courses are accepted by the county court handling your case.
- Check student reviews and testimonials to make sure the school meets your needs.
- If everything looks right, go ahead and start traffic school.
If you received a ticket in Palm Beach County, you can register with our school for a stress-free learning experience. Traffic Safety Institute is a top-rated course provider with a 99% first-time pass rate. Want to know what the course looks like? Start traffic school in Florida for FREE today.
How to Submit Your Florida Traffic School Certificate to the Court and FLHSMV
At Traffic Safety Institute, you can download your completion certificate as soon as you pass the final exam. You may also order a physical certificate for an additional fee.
What you should do next depends on the reason you took the BDI course:
- Voluntary course for ticket dismissal: Submit your certificate to the court before the deadline. Meanwhile, we’ll report your completion to the Court E-Filing system and FLHSMV for free.
- Court-ordered BDI course: You must submit your certificate directly to the court handling your case.
- FLHSMV-ordered course: Our team at Traffic Safety Institute will report your completion to the FLHSMV within three business days. No further action is needed on your part.
After completing these steps, wait three to five business days, then check with the court to confirm your certificate has been processed.
Note that BDI courses taken to avoid points on your license don’t qualify for insurance savings. Also, some insurers don’t offer discounts for completing the course, so be sure to check with your carrier before registration.
If you’re 55 or older and looking to save on car insurance, consider taking a mature driver improvement course. While it won’t help with ticket dismissal, it can reduce your premiums by 5-15% over a three-year period.
FAQs about Florida Traffic School
Need more information about completing traffic school in Florida? Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much does Florida traffic school cost?
In Florida, traffic school costs anywhere between $5 and $45 or more, depending on the course format, length, features, and add-ons.
For instance, Intermediate Driver Improvement (8-hour course) or Advanced Driver Improvement (12-hour course) courses tend to be more expensive than Basic Driver Improvement (4-hour course) courses, especially if they include classroom instruction or services like expedited certificate delivery. Some programs may appear surprisingly cheap but could come with hidden fees or lack state approval.
At Traffic Safety Institute, we charge an all-inclusive fee of $26.99, which you’ll pay after passing the final exam. Our fee covers audio read-alongs, certificate submission to the FLHSMV, and other services that most schools charge extra for.
How long does traffic school take in Florida?
Florida traffic school takes four to 12 hours, depending on the type of course you sign up for.
• Basic Driver Improvement (4-hour course)
• Intermediate Driver Improvement (8-hour course)
• Advanced Driver Improvement (12-hour course)
Which program you need will depend on your offense and driving record. If you choose an online program, you can study at your own pace. For example, our four-hour Florida traffic school course can be completed all at once or over several days—whatever works best for your schedule.
Do you have 90 days to complete traffic school after getting a ticket in Florida?
Not necessarily. While some drivers have up to 90 days, certain county courts may give you only 60. Make sure you check with the court clerk to confirm the deadline.
Does traffic school remove tickets from your record in Florida?
If you’re charged with a traffic infraction and take the Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course voluntarily, the court will dismiss your ticket. Other driver improvement courses, such as Advanced Driver Improvement, don’t result in ticket dismissal.
Do you have to pay the ticket if you take traffic school in Florida?
Yes, you must pay the fine associated with your ticket before enrolling in traffic school. If you register for the BDI course voluntarily, you’ll get a 9% reduction in your civil penalty.
How many points does traffic school remove in Florida?
Under Florida law, traffic school cannot remove points from your record. Instead, it prevents new points from being added when you elect to take the BDI course after being charged with a minor moving violation.
