Noncriminal infraction
Most ordinary moving tickets qualify. Criminal traffic charges, such as DUI or driving with a suspended license, do not.
Florida Traffic School: How the 4-Hour BDI Course Keeps Points Off Your License
In Florida, “traffic school” for a ticket is the Basic Driver Improvement course. Elect it on time and finish it, and the court withholds adjudication, so no points go on your record. The catch is a tight deadline and a few eligibility rules.
Last reviewed October 21, 2026 against FLHSMV and the Florida Statutes.
How Florida traffic school works, step by step
The order matters. Electing with the clerk comes before you sign up with a provider.
Step 1
Elect the course within 30 days
Tell the clerk of court for the county on your ticket that you elect Basic Driver Improvement, and pay the fine and fees, within 30 days of the citation. Miss this window and points are assessed.
Step 2
Check you are eligible
The option covers noncriminal infractions only. Commercial license holders and drivers cited for 30 mph or more over the limit cannot use it, and you cannot elect it twice within 12 months.
Step 3
Pick an FLHSMV-approved BDI provider
Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles approves every driver improvement school. Confirm the provider is on the FLHSMV BDI list before you pay.
Step 4
Finish the 4-hour course before the clerk's deadline
The course has at least 4 hours of content. Clerks set the completion deadline; many counties allow 90 days from election and payment.
Step 5
Make sure completion is reported
Your provider reports completion, but keep your certificate and check your driving record afterward. Adjudication is withheld and no points are added once it is processed.
Who can use the BDI course for a ticket
All six of these need to be true. If one is not, ask the clerk about your options before you pay for a course.
Not a commercial license holder
Holders of a CDL or commercial learner's permit cannot elect the course, even in a personal vehicle.
Under 30 mph over
Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit is excluded.
Nothing elected in the past 12 months
You cannot elect the course if you already did so within the previous 12 months.
Under the lifetime cap
Section 318.14(9) now allows up to eight elections in a lifetime. FLHSMV's page still shows the older limit of five.
Within 30 days of the ticket
The election and payment are due within 30 days of receiving the citation.
What the course saves you: Florida points
These are the points a conviction would add under section 322.27. Electing BDI on time means none of them are assessed for that ticket.
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 15 mph or less over the limit | 3 |
| Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit | 4 |
| Running a red light (officer-issued) | 4 |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 4 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Moving violation that causes a crash | 4 |
| Speeding or phone use that causes a crash | 6 |
| Leaving the scene of a crash with over $50 in damage | 6 |
| Any other moving violation | 3 |
| Red-light or school-bus camera ticket | 0 |
When points lead to suspension
- 12 points within 12 months: Suspension of up to 30 days
- 18 points within 18 months: Suspension of up to 3 months
- 24 points within 36 months: Suspension of up to 1 year
Choosing an online BDI provider
Every FLHSMV-approved BDI course satisfies the same requirement, so the differences are price, fees and how the lessons feel. Watch for a separate state certificate or processing fee, which can be larger than the course price itself.
Other Florida driving courses people mix up
8-hour and 12-hour courses
These are ordered by a court or by FLHSMV rather than elected for a single ticket. Providers describe the 8-hour course as court-referred, often after two or more tickets in a year, and the 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement course has at least 12 hours of content. Take exactly the course named in your order.
Court-ordered BDI after a crash
After certain crashes, such as one causing serious injury, FLHSMV can require a driver improvement course within 90 days of its notice. Unlike the ticket election, this one is mandatory.
First-time driver TLSAE course
New Florida drivers must complete the 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course before their first license. It has nothing to do with tickets.
Mature driver insurance discount
If the principal driver is 55 or older, an FLHSMV-approved course earns a discount on liability, PIP and collision coverage for three years. The law does not set the percentage, so ask your insurer.
Florida traffic school questions
How long is Florida traffic school?
The Basic Driver Improvement course for a ticket has at least 4 hours of course content, with no more than 30 minutes of breaks.
How many days do I have to elect traffic school in Florida?
30 days from the date of the citation. You elect with the clerk of court and pay the fine and fees in the same window.
How many times can I take traffic school in Florida?
Once in any 12-month period, and up to eight times in your lifetime under the current statute. FLHSMV's website still lists five, so ask the clerk if you are near the limit.
Does Florida traffic school remove points?
When you elect it on time and finish it, adjudication is withheld and no points are assessed for that ticket. It does not remove points from earlier convictions.
Do I still pay the ticket?
Yes. You pay the fine and court costs to the clerk. For speeding citations, the statute reduces the civil penalty by 18% when you elect the course.
Can I take Florida traffic school online?
Yes. Many FLHSMV-approved BDI providers offer the 4-hour course online. Check that your provider is on the FLHSMV approved list.
Can a CDL holder take traffic school in Florida?
No. Holders of a commercial driver license or commercial learner's permit cannot elect the course to avoid points.
Will Florida traffic school lower my insurance?
Avoiding points can keep the ticket from raising your rate. A separate mature driver course gives drivers 55 and older a 3-year discount on certain coverages.
Official sources
- FLHSMV: Driver improvement schools
- FLHSMV: Approved BDI course providers
- Florida Statutes s. 318.14 (election, limits, 18% reduction)
- Florida Statutes s. 322.27 (points and suspensions)
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 15A-8.006 (course length)
- Florida Statutes s. 627.0652 (mature driver discount)
Defensive Driving Hub is independent and not affiliated with FLHSMV, any Florida clerk of court or any course provider. This page is general information, not legal advice. Your clerk of court has the final word on deadlines and eligibility. Some course links on this site are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.