Attendance Restrictions
If you are a CDL holder or you were cited for speeding more than 30 MPH over the limit, you may not elect to attend traffic school. Also, you may not elect if you have already elected for a previous ticket within the past 12 months, or if you have elected five times within 10 years.
Notifying the Clerk of the Court (that you are taking driving school)
If you wish to go to traffic school for a Florida ticket, you must notify the court. Usually this means sending in the affidavit form that was included with the ticket. Some counties also allow a driver to notify them in person, over the phone, online, or by fax. You should contact the clerk of the court for the county in which you were ticketed to learn their procedures for traffic school election.
What do you need to do after you complete this course?
Once the course is completed, you will receive your certificate immediately via email and available through the site to download. All completions are automatically reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) and electronically filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Note: If you have been court ordered directly by a Judge or Magistrate to attend a driver improvement school, you should notify the court once you have completed the course and follow any necessary steps they instruct. The Clerk's Office will provide you with any additional submission requirements.
Other Reasons for Attendance
In addition to voluntarily attending for a Florida ticket, you may take the BDI course for the following reasons:
- Court Ordered: If you contested your Florida ticket and the judge or court ordered you to attend a 4-hour driver improvement course, you should select this reason for attendance.
- Traffic Collision Avoidance Course (TCAC): TCAC students will have received a letter from the Florida DHSMV ordering them to attend a BDI course. TCAC letters are sent out for particular situations, such as two crashes within two years or crashes involving injuries.
- Reckless Driving, Road Racing, Etc.: Drivers who have received a letter from DHSMV regarding road racing, passing a stopped school bus, reckless driving, or running a red light are required to attend a BDI course.
- Auto Insurance Discount: Florida law allows an auto insurance discount of up to 10% for completing a DHSMV approved BDI course. In order to receive the discount, you must first obtain permission from your auto insurance provider. (Note that BDI is not a mature driver course.)
- If you receive a ticket for a non-criminal moving violation, and you do not hold a commercial driver license, you may elect to attend a basic driver improvement course in lieu of points on your driving record.
- In some cases, you may choose to attend a basic driver improvement course to receive insurance discounts. This discount is solely at the discretion of your insurance company.
Electing to Attend Traffic School
Drivers with a Class A, B, or C license may not make an election under this subsection.
If, as a result of a moving violation, you elect to attend and complete a basic driver improvement course, you will receive the following benefits:
- Your insurance rates cannot go up and your policy cannot be cancelled because of this violation, unless this involved a crash where you were at fault.
- Points may not be added to your driver license record, adjudication of guilt is withheld, and safe driver status is maintained if applicable. You may not make an election under this subsection if you have made this election in the preceding 12 months. A person may make no more than five elections in a lifetime.
Within 30 days from the date you received the traffic citation and prior to attending class, you must:
- Inform the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation that you want to go to traffic school, and
- Pay an election fee to the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation.
A full list of your options for satisfying your traffic citation is on the back of the citation. You are required to choose one of the three options within 30 days of receiving the citation.
Points
If you choose to pay the civil penalty or are adjudicated guilty by a judge, your driver record will be assessed as follows:
| Moving Violations | 3 points |
| Speeding 15 m.p.h or less over posted speed | 3 points |
| Moving Violations | 3 points |
| Speeding more than 15 m.p.h. over posted speeds | 4 points |
| Passing stopped school bus | 4 points |
| Moving violation (non-speeding) resulting in an crash | 4 points |
| Unlawful speed resulting in a crash | 6 points |
| Reckless driving (criminal traffic violation) | 4 points |
| Leaving scene of crash with damage | 6 points |
| Littering | 3 points |
| Violation of child restraint laws | 3 points |
If you accumulate:
- 12 points in 12 months, your license will be suspended for 30 days;
- 18 points within 18 months results in a 3 month suspension;
- 24 points within 36 months results in a 12 month suspension.
Drivers 15-17 Years Old
If you are driving with a Florida learner's license, you must hold it for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction before you may apply for a Florida Class E license. You may avoid conviction by electing to attend and completing a basic driver improvement course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
If you are driving with a Florida learner's license or a Florida Class E license and you receive 6 points, you are restricted to driving for business purposes only for 12 months or until you reach the age of 18. Restriction time is increased if additional points are accumulated. You may avoid conviction by electing to attend and completing a basic driver improvement course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Q: When will I receive my certificate?
- When the 4-Hour Basic Driver Improvement Course is successfully completed, you will receive your certificate immediately via email and available through the site to download.
- All completions are automatically reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) and electronically filed with the Clerk of the Court. We encourage students to complete the course within 4-5 business days prior to the court due date to have enough time for the completions to be filed.
- Note: If you have been court ordered directly by a Judge or Magistrate to attend a driver improvement school, you should notify the court once you have completed the course and follow any necessary steps they instruct. The Clerk's Office will provide you with any additional submission requirements.
Q: Can I stop and resume the course?
- The system will keep track of your progress and will know where to start if you desire to pick up where you left off.
- Once a section is completed, if you log out and resume later, it will bring you directly to the last completed section.
Q: Is there a final exam?
- Yes! This is a state requirement.
- The final exam, if stopped in the middle, will restart you at the beginning of an entirely new exam. You must complete the exam in one sitting.
Q: When can I take the final exam?
- You can take the final exam after completing the coursework.
Q: How do I know if I passed the final exam?
- Upon completion of the final exam you will see your score.
- 80% correct is required to pass.
- You may retake the final exam as many times as you would like until you pass.
Q: Can I retake the final exam if I did not pass, and is there a limit to the number of times I can retake it?
- There is no limit on the number of times you can retake, at no additional cost.
Q: If I want, can you have my Certificate of Course completion printed and mailed to me through regular mail?
- Yes, but there is an additional $7.50 mailing and handling fee
- Free if E-mailed
Q: If I have a question or a problem with the course, is there someone I can call?
- Yes, call Florida Educational Driving School at 1-888-497-1755
Q: How do I get started? When registering please make sure that all information is correct. The Florida Educational Driving School is not responsible for incorrect information. A $5 fee will be charged if we have to reissue a new certificate with the corrected information. Example: Citation or Case number, County Issued, Name and Driver License etc.
- Click the Enroll button to register and then follow the screen directions
As an expert in traffic regulations and driving education, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the topic at hand. I have a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of traffic laws, driver improvement courses, and the associated processes involved in handling traffic violations. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the legal framework, practical implications, and procedural details related to traffic offenses.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided information regarding attendance restrictions, notification to the Clerk of the Court, post-course procedures, and other relevant aspects:
1. Attendance Restrictions:
- CDL Holders and Speeding Violations: CDL holders or those cited for speeding over 30 MPH above the limit are restricted from attending traffic school.
- Limits on Elections: Restrictions apply if you've elected for a previous ticket within the past 12 months or if you've elected five times within 10 years.
2. Notifying the Clerk of the Court:
- Process: To attend traffic school in Florida, one must notify the court, typically by submitting the affidavit form included with the ticket.
- Notification Methods: Notification can be done in person, over the phone, online, or by fax, depending on the county. Procedures vary, and it's essential to contact the clerk for specific instructions.
3. Completion of the Course:
- Certificate Issuance: Upon completing the course, a certificate is immediately emailed and available for download.
- Reporting to Authorities: Course completions are automatically reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) and filed with the Clerk of the Court.
4. Other Reasons for Attendance:
- Court-Ordered Attendance: Drivers may attend if ordered by a judge, especially for contested tickets or specific violations.
- Traffic Collision Avoidance Course (TCAC): Mandatory for certain situations, such as multiple crashes within two years or crashes involving injuries.
- Reckless Driving, Road Racing, etc.: Mandatory for drivers receiving a letter from DHSMV regarding specific offenses.
5. Points and Suspensions:
- Points System: Different violations accrue different points on your driving record.
- Suspension Thresholds: Accumulating a certain number of points within specific periods may lead to license suspension.
6. Driver's License for 15-17 Year Olds:
- Learner's License Requirements: Restrictions and requirements for obtaining a Class E license for drivers aged 15-17.
7. FAQs about the Course:
- Final Exam: A mandatory state requirement with an 80% passing score.
- Certificate Handling: Options for certificate delivery, including email and mail with associated fees.
- Support: Contact information for assistance with questions or problems during the course.
In conclusion, the provided information covers a comprehensive range of topics related to attending traffic school in Florida, including eligibility, procedures, and the implications for driving records and insurance.
