The Florida Defensive Driving course is an online course on defensive driving techniques and traffic laws that you can take to mask a traffic ticket, reduce points on your driving record, satisfy a court referral or to retain drivers license.

What are the eligibility requirements for taking a Florida Traffic School program?

In order to qualify for a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course to eliminate the assessment of points, drivers must voluntarily elect this option within 30 days(section 318.14 (4), Florida Statutes) from the citation date and, prior to attending the course, drivers must inform the clerk of court in the county where the citation was issued of the election of traffic school. Drivers must also pay an election fee to the clerk of court in the county where the citation was issued. Drivers may not elect to take the BDI, in lieu of points, after the initial 30-day period from the citation date.

Drivers are required to complete a course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and may contact the approved  BDI course provider to register for the course.

Options for satisfying a traffic citation will be listed on the back of the citation.

Drivers are required to choose one of the three options within 30 days of the citation date.

A BDI course is mandatory when cited for one of the following reasons:

• Electing to attend BDI school instead of having points assessed from a citation;
• Drivers who were cited for a crash in which they were found at fault and resulted in anyone being transported to the hospital;
• Drivers with two crashes within a two-year period that resulted in property damage greater than $500; or
• Drivers who were convicted of one of the following (in Florida or in another state while they held a Florida driver license):
  • Passing a school bus when it displayed a stopped signal;
  • Racing on a highway;
  • Highway racing – spectator;
  • Reckless driving; or
  • Running a red light.

If, as a result of a moving violation, a driver elects to attend and complete a BDI course, he/she will receive the following benefits:

• Points may not be added to the driver license record and, the adjudication of guilt is withheld. Drivers may not make an election to attend a BDI course if they have:
  • Made an election to attend a BDI course in the preceding 12 months;
  • Made five elections in a lifetime;
  • A Commercial Driver License (CDL); or
  • Been cited for going 30 mph above the posted speed limit.
• Insurance companies cannot impose or request an additional premium, cancel a policy, or issue a non-renewal notice on any insurance policy or contract because of any traffic infraction when adjudication has been withheld, and no points have been assessed for a traffic infraction unless the traffic infraction involved a traffic crash in which the insurer was at fault and the insurance company incurred a loss.

Florida Traffic Points can be assessed for moving violations where an adjudication of guilt is found, which can cause the loss or restriction of driving privileges. If too many points accumulate during a specified period (12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months or 24 points within 36 months), your license will be suspended.

Drivers with a Florida learner’s license must hold it for at least 12 months without receiving a traffic conviction before they can apply for a Florida Class E driver license. Drivers may avoid conviction by electing to complete a BDI course approved by the DHSMV.

Any driver under the age of 18 who accumulates six or more points within a 12 month period is automatically restricted to driving for “Business Purposes Only” for one year.  If additional points are accumulated, the restriction is extended by 90 days for every additional point received.

What information is covered in the Florida Defensive Driving course?

In a Florida Defensive Driving course, you’ll learn all about Florida’s traffic laws as well as defensive driving techniques to keep you safe on the road.  You’ll learn how Florida’s climate, geography, and unique landscape present specific challenges to drivers, and how to handle them.

Can I attend a Florida Defensive Driving Course online?

The Florida Defensive Driving Course may be completed online.

•  Traffic schools are required to verify your identity with a government-issued ID before traffic school attendance.
• Some traffic schools process registration by phone and require prepayment, while others register by telephone but collect payment at the time of the course.

What you need to do after you attend Florida Traffic school?

If you are taking a BDI course because you received notice from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to do so, your course provider will electronically report your completion information to the DHSMV.

You must contact the defensive driving provider directly; there may be a cost associated with this request.